My ANIMATRONIC PROJECT

[willettfx]

This morning went to walmart to get some DV tapes, And I pick this Magazine too. ROBOT Great Magazine!!!
And this project is being filmed on DV ,Im making a " How to DVD or DOC" for this animatronic mod. Shot 50 hours so far.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v229/willettfx/keyholebase.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v229/willettfx/VIDEOTEETH.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v229/willettfx/demold.jpg

Im working on the skull this weekend.
Thanks
willettfx
Go to my site for more pics.

[willettfx]

Well , Been working on the skull this weekend cutting and trimming .
And alot more to do .I set teeth in dental acrylic,
But the teeth will screw in , So I can remove them for the mechanics.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v229/willettfx/skull2.jpg

The work place
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v229/willettfx/workplace.jpg
thanks
gary

[willettfx]

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v229/willettfx/leftside.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v229/willettfx/frontskull.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v229/willettfx/head.jpg

[Kevin Berry]

This looks like quite a deal! We've got lots of robot builders in LA, what part do you live & work in?

[Trebor]

That is cool. My wife loves halloween. She decorates for the whole month of October, just to see people come by and look at the things she has done. I am trying to get into animatronics and robotic so I can bring some of her creationtions to life. I would love to be able to create a monster like that. Any suggestions on how to get started? Keep in mind that I have a full time job so school is not an option. Book, tapes, or websites would work for me. I do work as a machinist so I can build mechanical stuff. Covering the mechanics with life like flesh would be cool.

[willettfx]

Well , Im filming this animatronic project and will make DVDs when finished in a few months.
Thanks
WillettFX

[willettfx]

Tonight i put in a Brand new High Torque Digital Servo
This is the back of the skull ,This servo is for the up down movement.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v229/willettfx/servo2.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v229/willettfx/servo1.jpg

I will work on left right movement this weekend

[willettfx]

This SkullTest video showing the gimbal moving ,Servo are Not hookup for the up down or left right movements
There will be a change in servo (up,down) . The servo is high Torque , And works ,But need a higher torque servo.
Click here to watch SKULLTEST (http://media.putfile.com/SKULLTEST)

Sorry short video Im dialup
Thanks
Gary

[willettfx]

Well ,I did the skull movement with the servos. Only 3 servos, The jaw and the left and right move ,Up and down movement .
Testing how far of movement for jaw ......Dam ,I was surprised ,This thing could bite HARD. I could break the teeth .
Overall, I can control the speed L+R ,U+D easy ...Jaw. I can open wide and close 2 sec. Or I can open and close slow 2,3,4, mins.
I have 13 servos left to install... Maybe more.

Click here to watch Skulltest4 (http://media.putfile.com/Skulltest2)
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v229/willettfx/skulltest4.jpg

Thanks
Gary

[willettfx]

I changed the bite today ,In order to lower the foam lips before I had lip spring.Raising the teeth up and back some.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v229/willettfx/newbite.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v229/willettfx/newbite1.jpg
Click here to watch newbite (http://media.putfile.com/newbite)

[HarryBotter]

Great job Willetfx! I'm amazed at how lifelike that creature is.

Please continue posting your progress.

Harry

[willettfx]

Well, Here is a lip spring test ,Nothing is glued down ,Its just a test.
Click here to watch liptest-50 (http://media.putfile.com/liptest-50)
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v229/willettfx/lips.jpg
Also,I made the thoat on the upper teeth this week.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v229/willettfx/lips3.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v229/willettfx/lips2.jpg
Gary

[willettfx]

Thanks guys
Click here to watch Monstermakers-foam-WillettFx (http://media.putfile.com/Monstermakers-foam-WillettFx)
Well, 6 cable housings in place.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v229/willettfx/animatronic/6housing.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v229/willettfx/animatronic/6housing2.jpg
Gary

[willettfx]

Trip to the dentist this week ,Well , I still feel like crap.
Today I did this , servos for 2nd floor, 7 servos =
3 upper lip, right brow,left brow ,center brow , nose
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v229/willettfx/2ndfloor7servos.jpg
Thanks
Gary

[willettfx]

Thanks Guys
This 1st foor 6 servos = 2 servos eyelids ,2 up down left right,1 jaw,head up down
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v229/willettfx/1stfloor5sevos.jpg
Looks like a brain
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v229/willettfx/servobrain12.jpg
Gary

[HarryBotter]

This is like being hooked on a soap opera, I can't wait for the next installation!

What model of Hitec's are you using? What are you using for a servo controller?
Is it going to be pre-programmed or run through some type of controller?

Thanks, Harry

[willettfx]

This is like being hooked on a soap opera, I can't wait for the next installation!

What model of Hitec's are you using? What are you using for a servo controller?
Is it going to be pre-programmed or run through some type of controller?

Thanks, Harry
Thank You Harry
Hitec Servos
2 HS-225BB for lower lip
3 upper lip HS-311
1 HS-5625MG jar
1 HS-5745MG head up + down
4 eyes HS-311
3 brow HS-311
1 turn head HS-311
1 nose HS-311
2 Mini SSC II
http://www.seetron.com/images/ssc2.jpg
http://www.seetron.com/ssc.htm

http://www.brookshiresoftware.com/vsa_overview.htm
http://www.brookshiresoftware.com/images/mainwin.jpg
Thanks Again
Gary

[HarryBotter]

I guess the 1 HS-5625MG jar servo is probably a jaw servo. Correct? That would make this fellow a pretty fast talker. :)

That VSA software looks pretty powerful. I gather it's designed for animatronics.

I've got a SSC-32 contoller on a little six servo biped and am using the Sequencer software from Lynxmotion. It's a great way of setting up little movement routines.

http://www.lynxmotion.com/Product.aspx?productID=443&CategoryID=15

Good luck on the next steps of the project!

Cheers, Harry

[willettfx]

Thanks Guys
Cable housing 1st floor ( Yellow housing) .
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v229/willettfx/5housing2.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v229/willettfx/5housing.jpg
Thanks Again
gary

[willettfx]

This is a eyelid test .I like the test so I shot video .
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v229/willettfx/eyelidtest.jpg
This is only a test with 2nd skin ,The video is short 7 sec.
Click here to watch eyetest06 (http://media.putfile.com/eyetest06)
The 3nd skin will be ran this weekend .
Thanks
Gary

[willettfx]

1st FLOOR-SERVOS MOVEMENT TEST
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v229/willettfx/GrabbedFrame1-1.jpg
Click here to watch Animatronic-Test-110506-1st-FLOOR-SERVOS (http://media.putfile.com/Animatronic-Test-110506-1st-FLOOR-SERVOS)
Well , What do you guys think?
Thanks
Gary

[Kevin Berry]

Gary -

Glad you posted this. Totally cool. What software are you driving it with?

[willettfx]

Thank You Kevin
http://www.brookshiresoftware.com/vsa_howitworks.htm
Gary

[HarryBotter]

Wow! Thanks Gary, you're progress is really outstanding. Any idea when the latex is going on?

Harry

[I D Miller]

wow i'm still pretty fresh meat to robotics and i understand alot of mechanical movement but thats outstanding. i've never seen the dedication or progress that is involved in that much movement. and what makes it so much more is the fact it's almost alot of cables dude you lost me at the cables. this is just simply amazing. are you a professional for hollywood?

[willettfx]

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v229/willettfx/base.jpghttp://img.photobucket.com/albums/v229/willettfx/base2.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v229/willettfx/base3.jpg

[willettfx]

2 New skins , These skins came out ,Great!!!This was 2 weeks ago
2nd skin is for a backup
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v229/willettfx/newskin1.jpg
Sunday skin
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v229/willettfx/newskin2.jpg
more coming

[willettfx]

The support pipe is also be used to thread the power and computer controller cable inside the pipe.
I dont know yet if its going to be this high. The computer case will be below and
the support pipe will be painted flat black. This will give me the floating head effect over the case.
Testing the skin.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v229/willettfx/base4.jpg
There is work to do on the skull , Making sure everything is right.Will be a computer test movement on the 1st
floor sevros ,Then the 2nd floor servos and then the skin will be painted and fitted on the skull.Then ear work & hair work.
Been working with some sound software for its voice. I think you guys are going to like it.
Sound FX test My Animatronic project's Voice
This is my voice with sound software .
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v229/willettfx/soundfx.jpg
Click here to watch voice-test-77 (http://media.putfile.com/voice-test-77)
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v229/willettfx/monster10805.jpg
Thanks Guys
gary

[willettfx]

Working on the 2nd servo floor. The servo controllers will not be inside skull.The servo's plug wires was hitting inside the top of the skull.
So placing the controllers under the skull. Also, work on the foam rubber lips burn in the slot for lip wires. So ,Look at my new birdnest ....LOL
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v229/willettfx/birdnest1.jpghttp://img.photobucket.com/albums/v229/willettfx/birdnest2.jpg
Note: The green LED lights (2) The power is ON
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v229/willettfx/birdnest3.jpg

Thanks
Gary

[HarryBotter]

Gary, it's been so much fun watching your progress on this project. We're getting a real glimpse into how an expert does animatronix. Thanks for sharing and looking forward to more.

BTW, that last breath on your soundtrack is nice and spooky.

Cheers, Harry

[willettfx]

BTW, that last breath on your soundtrack is nice and spooky.
Harry ,The last sound on the track is my cat(binky's meow),Low pitch & slowed down.
Thanks Harry
Gary

[HarryBotter]

The last sound on the track is my cat(binky's meow),Low pitch & slowed down.

LOL! That is a perfect standin for scary sounding breathing.

[willettfx]

Thanks Harry
Lipwire Test
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v229/willettfx/lipwiretest1.jpg
Working on 2nd servo floor ,There are 5 servos ,3 servos upper lip ,2 servos lower lip and servos are mount, + 1 servo for jaw =6 servos
Lipwire Test computer controlled
Test Video
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jVzWnzo6TJ4

Well, what do you think?
Thanks
Gary

[TheDuck]

What do I think? I think, "How does Gary go to sleep knowing that's in the other room?" :)

I'm amazed how expressive a pair of wires are. And I have to say again, I'm blown away by how well those teeth are done. It seems to be coming together well from this end.

[willettfx]

Been under the weather and made the Thanksgiving holidays... Well it kinda sucked .
New video
Demo footage working skull Mechs
No sound
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v229/willettfx/WILLETTFXSkullworks.jpg
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xhxg7lAqKG4
I have DSL now, God I luv it , I can upload better, longer videos.
This Demo was made 2/06 Using Smoothon Great products
Sorry this could have been edited better.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BYgqEonIF7A
I luv this OOMOO™ Silicone Rubbers, No Vacuuming – No Scale
http://www.smooth-on.com/silicones.asp
http://www.smooth-on.com/plastics.asp
Products
OOMOO™
PoYo™
Mold Max™30
Smooth-Cast™ 305
Thanks
Gary
Here is a picture
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v229/willettfx/gbaby.jpg
Yes it me 1979 (16) with help in Drafting class built a robot. 1st time with R/C thing.

[TheDuck]

Gary, that was great! I, too, am happy you have DSL. :D It's one thing to see the static pictures of the results but to see the building of the critter and seeing it in action is something else altogether. Thank you!

[willettfx]

Thanks TheDuck
Its means alot.
Thanks
gary

[willettfx]

Thanks GUYS
Ive been editing video footage , And here is a new demo
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tEKMNjhPK-A

[dporter]

Amazing, my daughter and I are really enjoying your work.

Thanks

[fantasy1]

Wow, I just found this post and am very impressed with your work.
Do you have any video of you making the skull? I'm assuming you had to make molds for every part of the skull and casted them in resin. It would be interesting to see the process.

Looking forward to your next post!!!!

[TheDuck]

Egad, Gary, it's really shaping up.

I'm curious, you have displayed quite a range of talent here: art, physics, chemistry, electronics...and you've shown us the artistic and practical side of all of them. Is there any one thing you enjoy over the others? I can't really pick it out from watching the videos because you show the same attention to detail in everything you are doing.

[willettfx]

Thank You TheDuck

Is there any one thing you enjoy over the others? Have the time and money to do it. Its just fun.

Still working on it,been waiting servos (2 mini servos)And about to paint.

Lipwire mech
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v229/willettfx/DSCF0031.jpg
setting up for paint
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v229/willettfx/DSCF0024.jpg
Baseplate painted and trimed.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v229/willettfx/DSCF0039.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v229/willettfx/steps.jpg
[/IMG]
Thanks
G

[willettfx]

Grabbed frames
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v229/willettfx/wirelip5.jpg
Gluing Medal Beads to lipwire
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v229/willettfx/wirelip2.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v229/willettfx/wirelip1.jpg

[willettfx]

New Demo
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jfD1x9NtDDY
Thanks
Gary

[willettfx]

My girlfriend ( Tammie) Got a new camera , She took these pictures
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v229/willettfx/tpics1.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v229/willettfx/tpics2.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v229/willettfx/tpics3.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v229/willettfx/tpics5.jpg
Thanks
Gary

[willettfx]

This a movement test video

I have been working on the eyes brows and they have been a b*tch. Cables in a bind or the housing or Something .
I have taken the top of the skull on and off 20 times . But this is apart of it.
For the left and right brow I placed a spring return. The center brow mech were removed all together.
This has taking some time, Because of the room in the forehead .... There is NONE.
I would get the left brow working and right brow wouldnt work. Right brow would work and the left brow stop working.
Well,I think its there now. programming the servos with the software is jerky Because the servos are running at full speed in setup,
The software slows down the servos.
These mechs got to be in working order before the skin is placed on.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v229/willettfx/newvideomovement.jpg

The Video Test
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-0rZVBQMBGU
What do you think?

Thanks
Gary

[willettfx]

I painted it Friday. I Used PAX, Light gray ,Dark gray ,and Black.
About 40% of the skin cover with hair.(punched)
Also molded ears.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v229/willettfx/mainpaintpic.jpg
Thanks
Gary

[Hivemind]

I have been following your progress -it looks great so far.

Do you plan to put a voice chip in (similar to the robonova hack found in the robot magazine- but on a higher scale) ?

Also, I have done some work with 3D programs and have come across some software in the past that links 'point' modification to text and sound based speech for any face. It does this on a grouped point basis on the polygon level. It would be interesting how your project would work with this as I know that the software worked very well on the 3D side.

Anyway, great work. Very impressive.

[willettfx]

Its getting there . I will try to add sound fx tonight.Little test. Still need to glue some spots and try to get more movement in the lips.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v229/willettfx/GrabbedFrame1skin2.jpg
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W29pAUyKVZ0
Thanks
Gary

[willettfx]

Here is a hair & soundFX test video demo
Hair is from National Fiber Technology
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v229/willettfx/GrabbedFramesoundfx1.jpg
SoundFX
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v229/willettfx/GrabbedFramesoundfx2.jpg

Click Here
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eyPWBpu65ao
Well , What do you think?
Thanks
Gary

[wrighthobbies]

Gary,

This is gotta be the best animatronics job I've seen. I've been following along as you created this masterpiece and I am very impressed.

What is your plans for him, other than scaring the dickens out of kids at Halloween :)?

[willettfx]

Gary,

This is gotta be the best animatronics job I've seen. I've been following along as you created this masterpiece and I am very impressed.

What is your plans for him, other than scaring the dickens out of kids at Halloween :)?

Thank You so much!
Someone asked me the same question today?

Well, Ive been doing this art for look time.
My old work masks and things

werewolf 93
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v229/willettfx/18465080.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v229/willettfx/2ndwolf.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v229/willettfx/2004werewolf2.jpg

[willettfx]

I have a luv for movie ,like STARWARS. I guess this animatronic is 20 years in the making.
I wanted the computer to control servos which would make monster move fluid.
Not having alot of money and it took time a long time. I started this project about 2 1/2 years ago . I could have done it quicker but I wanted to film the whole process,From start to finish.And will producing the instructional video (DVDs).
To have a monster ,person,animal, or whatever. To say you have email or hello or anything would cool.And programming this will come later.
In 2001 & 2002 I started to see computer mods .WOW a new art form,PC MODS.
So a made this
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v229/willettfx/casemod.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v229/willettfx/Hardware01_021203.jpg
So,I wanted my next mod to move.So I started My Animatronic Mod Project.
Been editing video this week and alot more to edit. 84 hours of tape was shot so far . This has been edited to 5 1/2 hours ,Been working with over 700 GB.
Now Im doing the fine editing .Still have 1 or 2 hours to shot ,More soundfx and talking added voice over and more.I want to finish My animatronic Project and Video(DVD) at or around the sametime.
Thanks
Gary

[wrighthobbies]

For a project of this size, you may end up with a 2 disk DVD set... It's difficult to edit 80+ hours down to 2 or 3.

The case mod is cool!

Thanks,
Eddy

[Paulwa]

There are some superbly creative people here at this website. I am constantly amazed at the quality level of these projects. Great hobby but I think many of us are born with that creative bent.
Paul

[willettfx]

Working with the hair this weekend

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v229/willettfx/greatpic2.jpg

More hair came in this week $35 sq ft.
My 4th sq.
Been adding voice over to the video and editing the video .
Trying to finish video and the animatronic mod around the sametime.
Gary

[willettfx]

Well , Here he is haired with each new chapter on the DVD the creature will say ,Making Teeth ,Making eyes and etc.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v229/willettfx/scenechapter.jpg

Watch the video demo
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UBiJkEtB6x0
What Do you think?
Thanks
Gary

[wrighthobbies]

The video of it saying it's line was great! Do you plan to take to any of the big conferences like Robogames or other public venues? I'd love to see it in person...

Eddy

[TheDuck]

Are you kidding? It even has a sense of humour!! Um, I mean, Gary does. :)

My kids had one thing to say to this, "Whoa! Can we have one?" I told them if they wanted to make one, go ahead. Then gave them a taste of some of the demo movies. The look on their faces say to me that the movies are all a big ruse and there's definitely some sort of magic at work here. hahahaha

Great as always. It has been fantastic seeing this project slowly come to life (figuratively and literally!). Really can't say thanks enough for sharing this, Gary.

-Doug

[willettfx]

Thank you Doug and Eddy
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v229/willettfx/Email.jpg
Here is a short video
My Animatronic Project Scene "You Have Email"
A few movement and filming closeup ,just testing for the DVD.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5RMZZ97ssQ8
Thanks
Gary

[willettfx]

My Animatronic project /Chroma key Test /SmoothOn Video commercial
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v229/willettfx/chromakey1.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v229/willettfx/chromakey2.jpg

New Video
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OJLji1KnkZ0
Thanks Guys
gary

[willettfx]

Well , Sorry, been working alot at the dental lab and been sick too and Working on the My Animatronic Project DVDs
Its going to be 3 disk set ,over 3 hour long ,
doing voice overs takes alot of time,But it done.
Background Music done
Disk Menus Done.
1 more thing to film and it will be FINISHED.
Here some new pics.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v229/willettfx/almostdonewithall.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v229/willettfx/almostdonewithall2.jpg
Thanks Guys
gary

[HarryBotter]

Great job Gary, and congrats on getting it this far. I've been watching your step-by-step progress and find your determination inspiring.

One cool creature!

[willettfx]

New Pics & video
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v229/willettfx/IMG_1371greatshotresized.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v229/willettfx/ending1.jpg
New Video
Monstermakers Commercial & movement test
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rf3gHl9sE64

Thanks Guys
gary

[willettfx]

My Animatronic project DVDs are Finished and coming out soon .A New Website is coming to preorder.
Run Time 3:36:33 3 Disks set
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v229/willettfx/printdvd.jpg
Also ,My DVD case covers from printing company are so beautiful...Sorry Im just proud .
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v229/willettfx/animatronicinsertcoversmall.jpg
Some Magazines have been doing some interviews with me. One interview is from a Dental Lab magazine.LOL
Thanks
Gary

[willettfx]

Well ,The new website is up and running.
http://www.willettfx.com

"MY ANIMATRONICS PROJECT" 3 DVD set .
The Price is $79.99 + shipping & handling $ 7.00 USA .


Important information:
This is a Preorder TO Reserve your DVD copy.
Please allow 6 weeks for delivery.
DVD-R 8X - FORMAT - NTSC Only

For International Customers Ordering .
At this time Im Getting the export duty information .
You can Email me at saleswillettfx@earthlink.net
Enter your shipping information .
I will calculate your shipping & handling cost an any duties before you order.
Actual shipping and handling charges may be adjusted using the most cost effective method .
I then will reply to your email soon as possible.
Im sorry for the inconvenience this situation poses to International customers at this time.
Thanks
Gary

[househaunter]

hey guys check it out i found this place with some of the most coolest and freakiest haunted houses check it out

http://fearnet.com/homehaunts/

[willettfx]

Have a Happy Halloween from willettfx.com
My kittin.... Pepper
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v229/willettfx/kitty.jpg
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GNG9k4uGFJs
Thanks
Gary