{"id":390,"date":"2023-01-08T18:09:23","date_gmt":"2023-01-09T00:09:23","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/horazmakes.com\/blog\/?p=390"},"modified":"2023-01-08T18:49:30","modified_gmt":"2023-01-09T00:49:30","slug":"halloween-project-2022-zombie","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/horazmakes.com\/blog\/2023\/01\/08\/halloween-project-2022-zombie\/","title":{"rendered":"Halloween project 2022: Zombie"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<figure class=\"wp-block-embed-youtube wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio\"><div class=\"wp-block-embed__wrapper\">\n<iframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"Halloween 2022 project: Zombie\" width=\"640\" height=\"360\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/Jsr2DoedWQw?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" referrerpolicy=\"strict-origin-when-cross-origin\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe>\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Introduction<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>It was September 2022, Vic and I decided to start working on a Halloween project. It would be a lot of fun for both of us. We&#8217;d have around one whole month to complete the project.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The general goals of the project:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\"><li>Have fun<\/li><li>Learn about team work<\/li><li>Do some drawing and painting (Vic loves to draw)<\/li><li>Create something related to the videogame Vic liked to play very much at that time, Plants Vs Zombies 2 (PVZ2), which was something suitable for Halloween, indeed<\/li><li>Try to inspire Vic about the beauty in making things<\/li><li>Work with several materials (cardboard, paint, brushes, electronics, programming, music and sounds)<\/li><li>Have it ready by <em>D\u00eda de Muertos<\/em>\/Halloween<\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Design &amp; Art<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>We wanted to work on something related to Plants Vs Zombies 2.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Some interactive project features would be nice, so that kids could touch and get some exciting response.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>We started to sketch the zombie in a cardboard box. I suggested Vic to use the main character from Plants Vs Zombies 2 since many people can recognize it and it&#8217;s kind of related to Halloween. He agreed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"900\" height=\"600\" src=\"https:\/\/horazmakes.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/11\/halloween_2022_01.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-392\"\/><figcaption>Sketching the zombie<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"900\" height=\"600\" src=\"https:\/\/horazmakes.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/11\/halloween_2022_03.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-394\"\/><figcaption>Outlining the zombie<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"900\" height=\"600\" src=\"https:\/\/horazmakes.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/11\/halloween_2022_04.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-395\"\/><figcaption>About to finish the outline<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"900\" height=\"600\" src=\"https:\/\/horazmakes.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/11\/halloween_2022_06.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-396\"\/><figcaption>Done with the outline!<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>We started to think about the moving parts for the zombie. He definitely needed some arms so that we could make them move.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>His tie makes him even cooler \ud83d\ude09<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"900\" height=\"600\" src=\"https:\/\/horazmakes.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/11\/halloween_2022_07.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-397\"\/><figcaption>Adding the arms and tie<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>Once we were happy with the design, we went ahead and started to color the zombie.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"900\" height=\"600\" src=\"https:\/\/horazmakes.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/11\/halloween_2022_10.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-398\"\/><figcaption>Coloring teeth<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"900\" height=\"600\" src=\"https:\/\/horazmakes.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/11\/halloween_2022_12.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-399\"\/><figcaption>Art director at work<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"900\" height=\"600\" src=\"https:\/\/horazmakes.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/11\/halloween_2022_13.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-400\"\/><figcaption>Full colored zombie<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Functionality<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>The planned functionality for the zombie is as follows:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The zombie will play Plants Vs Zombies 2 background music, it will play different songs from the original PVZ videogame soundtrack while in idle state. Using the audio amplifier we can control volume.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The input for the zombie is a big red dome pushbutton. Pressing the pushbutton will make the zombie groan, his eyes will flash and his arms will move.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The big red dome pushbutton has an internal 12 V light bulb. It will flash slowly (like a heartbeat) to entice people to push it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>For future versions I would like to add a PIR movement sensor and\/or a proximity sensor to trigger some actions.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Materials<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\"><li>1 Arduino nano<\/li><li>1 <a rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\/\/wiki.dfrobot.com\/DFPlayer_Mini_SKU_DFR0299\" target=\"_blank\">DFPlayerMini<\/a> Mini mp3 player<\/li><li>1 HW-210 PAM8610 Audio amplifier<\/li><li>2 20 watts speakers<\/li><li>1 Servomotor Mg995<\/li><li>1 Big dome pushbutton<\/li><li>1 LED strip<\/li><li>2 MOSFETs IRFZ44N<\/li><li>2 PCB screw terminal block connectors<\/li><li>1 PCB 3.5 mm audio jack connector<\/li><li>3 Headers<\/li><li>1 Perfboard<\/li><li>1 12V\/5V DC power supply<\/li><li>Wires<\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Electronics setup<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1058\" height=\"595\" src=\"https:\/\/horazmakes.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/11\/Project-setup.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-402\"\/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-table\"><table class=\"\"><tbody><tr><td><strong>Component (feature)<\/strong><\/td><td><strong>Input\/Output<\/strong><\/td><td><strong>Arduino Pin<\/strong><\/td><\/tr><tr><td>Pushbutton light<\/td><td>1 input ON\/OFF<\/td><td>2<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>Pushbutton state<\/td><td>1 output PWM 0-255<\/td><td>3<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>LED strip light (eyes)<\/td><td>1 output PWM 0-255<\/td><td>5<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>Audio (music &amp; sound effects)<\/td><td>1 input \/ 1 output<br>Rx\/Tx<\/td><td>10 \/ 11<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>Audio (busy signal)<\/td><td>1 input<\/td><td>13<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>Servomotor (arms)<\/td><td>1 output Servo<\/td><td>7<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"900\" height=\"600\" src=\"https:\/\/horazmakes.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/11\/halloween_2022_18.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-405\"\/><figcaption>Wiring test<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Arduino sketch<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Please find the Arduino sketch in github: <a href=\"https:\/\/github.com\/horazmakes\/arduino\/blob\/master\/halloween2022\/halloween2022.ino\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" aria-label=\" (opens in a new tab)\">halloween2022.ino<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Final electronics setup<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>After testing the wiring and the Arduino sketch with all the components connected, we were ready to prepare the final setup.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>I used a perfboard to place the electronics:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\"><li>Arduino nano<\/li><li><a rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" aria-label=\"DFPlayerMini (opens in a new tab)\" href=\"https:\/\/wiki.dfrobot.com\/DFPlayer_Mini_SKU_DFR0299\" target=\"_blank\">DFPlayerMini<\/a><\/li><li>IRFZ44N MOSFETs to control 12V lights (see <a rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" aria-label=\" (opens in a new tab)\" href=\"https:\/\/horazmakes.com\/blog\/2022\/10\/02\/how-to-drive-a-12v-led-strip-with-a-microcontroller\/\" target=\"_blank\">How to drive a 12V led strip with a microcontroller<\/a>)<\/li><li>PCB screw terminal block connectors<\/li><li>PCB 3.5 mm audio jack connector<\/li><li>Headers<\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"900\" height=\"600\" src=\"https:\/\/horazmakes.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/11\/halloween_2022_22.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-408\"\/><figcaption>Final setup perfboard<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Internal MDF board<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>With electronics and program ready, it was time to put things in place such as speakers, pushbutton, servomotor and LED strip. We used 3 mm MDF board to hold things thight.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"900\" height=\"600\" src=\"https:\/\/horazmakes.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/11\/halloween_2022_23.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-409\"\/><figcaption>MDF board<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>We also 3d-printed some PLA rings. The rings are the required support to glue the LED strips around the zombie&#8217;s eyes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"900\" height=\"600\" src=\"https:\/\/horazmakes.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/11\/halloween_2022_15.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-411\"\/><figcaption>3d-printed rings to glue LED strips for the zombie&#8217;s eyes<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Internal wiring<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Below you can see the internals of the animated zombie placed on the MDF board.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"900\" height=\"600\" src=\"https:\/\/horazmakes.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/01\/halloween_2022_24.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-424\"\/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>Above, from left to right<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\"><li>The audio amplifier (I made a small hole to access the volume knob)<\/li><li>The pushbutton switch <\/li><li>The control board where both the Arduino nano and the mp3 player sit.<\/li><li>LED strips in circles for the zombie&#8217;s eyes<\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>Below, again from left to right<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\"><li>Left speaker<\/li><li>Servomotor for moving the zombie&#8217;s arms<\/li><li>Power supply<\/li><li>Right speaker<\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Final presentation, right on time!<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>The zombie premiered successfully on 11\/1\/2022. It was a great attraction for the kids. I think they enjoyed it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"900\" height=\"600\" src=\"https:\/\/horazmakes.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/11\/halloween_2022_24-1.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-415\"\/><figcaption>Tuesday 11\/1\/2022<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Introduction It was September 2022, Vic and I decided to start working on a Halloween project. It would be a lot of fun for both of us. We&#8217;d have around one whole month to complete the project. The general goals of the project: Have fun Learn about team work Do some drawing and painting (Vic [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":406,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[4,5,6,7,11,12,13,86],"tags":[153,25,155,157,150,154,156,152,136,73,151],"class_list":["post-390","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-actuators","category-arduino","category-electronics","category-family","category-maker","category-mechanics","category-motors","category-programming","tag-153","tag-arduino","tag-arduino-nano","tag-dfplayermini","tag-halloween","tag-halloween-2022","tag-maker","tag-plants-vs-zombies","tag-programming","tag-vic","tag-zombie"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/horazmakes.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/390","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/horazmakes.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/horazmakes.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/horazmakes.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/horazmakes.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=390"}],"version-history":[{"count":18,"href":"https:\/\/horazmakes.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/390\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":427,"href":"https:\/\/horazmakes.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/390\/revisions\/427"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/horazmakes.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/406"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/horazmakes.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=390"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/horazmakes.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=390"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/horazmakes.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=390"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}