Table of Contents
Advertisement
Quick Links
Advertisement
Table of Contents
Subscribe to Our Youtube Channel
Summary of Contents for Dynamic Perception MX3
-
Page 1: User Guide
Dynamic Perception MX3 Motion Controller User Guide Firmware Version 1.0 Revision Date: September 5th 2013 Page 1 of 45 Copyright © 2013 Dynamic Perception LLC dynamicperception.com All Contents licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution Share-Alike 3.0 License... -
Page 2: Fcc Compliance
Connect the equipment into an outlet on a circuit different from that to which the receiver is connected. Consult the dealer or an experienced radio/TV technician for help Page 2 of 45 Copyright © 2013 Dynamic Perception LLC dynamicperception.com All Contents licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution Share-Alike 3.0 License... -
Page 3: Table Of Contents
4.3. Motor Control 5. Main System Menu 6. Camera Control 6.1. Connecting the Camera 6.2. Introduction to the MX3 Camera Cycle 6.3. Controlling Exposure on the Camera 6.4. Controlling Exposure on the MX3 6.5. Controlling Focus, Waking Camera up from Sleep 6.6. - Page 4 11.3. Motor Timing 12. Updating Firmware 13. Trouble Shooting Appendix A: Menu Tree Appendix B: List of Supported Cameras Page 4 of 45 Copyright © 2013 Dynamic Perception LLC dynamicperception.com All Contents licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution Share-Alike 3.0 License...
-
Page 5: Specifications
2A (ea. motor, not to exceed power source maximum) License Firmware GPLv3 Schematics and Board Design Creative Commons Attribution Share-Alike 3.0 Page 5 of 45 Copyright © 2013 Dynamic Perception LLC dynamicperception.com All Contents licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution Share-Alike 3.0 License... -
Page 6: Overview
MoCoBus support. Built to the highest specification with industrial grade components, the MX3 is designed to provide years of reliable operation in the field, wherever your photography takes you. --The MX3 provides a simple, intuitive means for specifying continuous and shoot-move-shoot motion-controlled time-lapse videos automatically, using inexpensive DC motors for up to three axes of control. -
Page 7: Basic Operation
3. Basic Operation The MX3 user interface consists of a 2x16 LCD display and five user input buttons. Upon startup, the firmware version will be reported before going to the main control screens. 3.1. Powering the MX3 The MX3 can accept several different power sources. The primary sources for power are the DC input jack, the USB connector, and the MoCoBus port. -
Page 8: Usb Connector
The USB connector can be used when connected to a computer or a powered hub, for powering the MX3 alone. This can be useful for setting up the MX3, or using it as an intervalometer alone. Motors cannot be used with USB power, this 5V source is not enough power to drive motors. -
Page 9: Buttons
Go forward one step, open menu b. Select next control c. Save Input [Enter] a. Open menu b. Save input Page 9 of 45 Copyright © 2013 Dynamic Perception LLC dynamicperception.com All Contents licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution Share-Alike 3.0 License... -
Page 10: Control Screens
Controls which have specialized menus are documented in the Main Control Screens section below. Page 10 of 45 Copyright © 2013 Dynamic Perception LLC dynamicperception.com All Contents licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution Share-Alike 3.0 License... -
Page 11: Main Control Screens
4. Main Control Screens The majority of your interaction with the MX3 will be through the main control screens, each of these screens gives access to a number of parameters related to that screen. To change control screens, simply press... -
Page 12: Camera Control
You can change any camera parameters while the program is running, and they will take effect on the next shot. Page 12 of 45 Copyright © 2013 Dynamic Perception LLC dynamicperception.com All Contents licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution Share-Alike 3.0 License... -
Page 13: Motor Control
Turning off a motor while a program is running will execute a speed ramp down immediately if a down ramp value is specified. Page 13 of 45 Copyright © 2013 Dynamic Perception LLC dynamicperception.com All Contents licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution Share-Alike 3.0 License... -
Page 14: Main System Menu
The ‘>’ symbol will indicate which item is currently selected when on any menu. Page 14 of 45 Copyright © 2013 Dynamic Perception LLC dynamicperception.com All Contents licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution Share-Alike 3.0 License... - Page 15 A menu navigation tree can be found in Appendix A: Menu Tree, individual menu options are covered in detail by use-case in the sections below. Page 15 of 45 Copyright © 2013 Dynamic Perception LLC dynamicperception.com All Contents licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution Share-Alike 3.0 License...
-
Page 16: Camera Control
6. Camera Control The MX3 is capable of controlling a camera through its remote shutter port via the use of a specialized 3/32” (2.3mm) TRS camera cable. If your camera does not have a remote shutter port, it cannot be triggered with the MX3. You will need a specialized camera cable, available from Dynamic Perception, for your specific camera. -
Page 17: Introduction To The Mx3 Camera Cycle
For most time-lapse videos, it is best to let the camera control the exposure time. In this case, we simply need to know how long the exposure is set for. The MX3 will signal the camera to trigger a shutter cycle, and the camera will time the exposure. -
Page 18: Controlling Exposure On The Mx3
MX3 controls the length of the exposure by triggering the shutter for the entire time the exposure must be performed. To let the MX3 control exposure, set the camera to Bulb mode. On the MX3, go to the Camera Control screen and use the... -
Page 19: Controlling Focus, Waking Camera Up From Sleep
Most cameras cannot handle a bulb exposure shorter than 1/30th of a second. For exposures less than 1 second, bulb exposure is not recommended as deviation can occur in the bulb timing between the camera and the MX3. 6.5. Controlling Focus, Waking Camera up from Sleep For some creative shots or to wake the camera up before exposing during long intervals, it may be necessary to control the focus line for the camera before triggering a shot. -
Page 20: Focus Lock With Shutter
Add up the total time it takes to cycle through the AEB shot sequence and set the Exposure Time to match on the MX3. The Exposure Delay time must provide enough time for the camera’s buffer to clear (will vary depending on camera model and memory card speed). -
Page 21: Limiting Total Shots
Repeat Shots) manually by enabling Bulb Exposure Control and editing the values for each parameter directly in the Camera sub-menu. Page 21 of 45 Copyright © 2013 Dynamic Perception LLC dynamicperception.com All Contents licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution Share-Alike 3.0 License... -
Page 22: Motion Control
7.1. Configuring Motor Axes When you first use your MX3, you will need to configure each motor axis to specify what type of motor you are using, and the function of that axis. If you’re using a Dynamic Perception provided motor with a Dynamic Perception physical motion unit, you can simply use a preset. -
Page 23: Configure Axis Manually
7.1.2. Configure Axis Manually If you’re using DIY or 3rd-party equipment with the MX3, you may need to configure your axes manually. To do this, you will edit the RPM, Ratio, and Rotary parameters directly. RPM is the number of output rotations per minute of your motor. This is after any included gearbox in the motor. -
Page 24: Choosing Your Motion Mode
7.2. Choosing Your Motion Mode The two basic motion control modes for the MX3 motion controller are Continuous Motion and Shoot-Move-Shoot. (Also known as SMS.) In Continuous Motion mode, the motor moves irrespective of the camera being fired, and generally at a consistent speed. In SMS mode, the motor only moves between exposures. - Page 25 You may only choose one motion type at a time, it is not possible to run one axis in continuous motion and another in SMS. Page 25 of 45 Copyright © 2013 Dynamic Perception LLC dynamicperception.com All Contents licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution Share-Alike 3.0 License...
-
Page 26: Continuous Motion
For SMS motion, between each exposure the motor is moved a short distance. In this case, the motor is moved at full speed for a brief period of time. This allows the MX3 to produce very short movements over long periods of time, by breaking the move up into very small moves that are executed once per interval. -
Page 27: Linear Ramping
Changing the lead control while the program is running will only affect the lead-out. 7.6. Linear Ramping The MX3 can automatically apply linear ramping to each move. In the case of linear ramping, the motor will be brought from 0 speed to the specified speed over the requested number of exposures. -
Page 28: Symmetric Ramping
In symmetric ramping, the ramp in and ramp out are of the same length. This is one of the most common forms of ramping, and the default behavior of the MX3. To set a symmetric ramping, go to the appropriate Motor Control screen, use... -
Page 29: Manual Motor Control
Invert Dir parameter within the motor sub-menu. Set this to ‘on’ to flip directions around, or ‘off’ to leave them as-is. Menu Navigation: Page 29 of 45 Copyright © 2013 Dynamic Perception LLC dynamicperception.com All Contents licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution Share-Alike 3.0 License... -
Page 30: Warnings And Alarms
A low input voltage can indicate that a battery has been discharged more than it should be and you may soon lose power. As the MX3 takes a wide variety of voltage inputs, you can modify the threshold of this warning, or you can disable this warning entirely if it presents issues for you. -
Page 31: Motor Current Alarm
Usually, too much current draw indicates that one or more motors require more current than the MX3 can support, or that a motor has stalled and severe damage to the motor or the MX3 may occur. When a motor current alarm is triggered, all motor movement will be immediately stopped and a warning screen will be presented for fifteen seconds. -
Page 32: Auxiliary Inputs And Outputs
9. Auxiliary Inputs and Outputs The MX3 has three auxiliary inputs/outputs, and one additional auxiliary output. These I/O lines allow you to interact with other devices, take external triggers, and integrate the MX3 into your existing workflow. Several program control actions are available on input triggers, and output triggers can be created to signal other devices. -
Page 33: Changing The Input Trigger Type
Init I/O action [Enter] to exit the Init I/O screen when it says Done 9.2.1. Changing the Input Trigger Type Page 33 of 45 Copyright © 2013 Dynamic Perception LLC dynamicperception.com All Contents licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution Share-Alike 3.0 License... -
Page 34: Output Program Actions
It may be necessary to change the trigger type that the MX3 reacts to, depending on the type of device you are hooking up. In most cases, you want to trigger when the signal is FALLING, that is - the moment the I/O is pulled to the common line. However, for some applications, such as monitoring the PC port of a camera to know when an exposure is complete, you want to trigger when the signal is RISING, that is - the moment the I/O line is released from the common line. -
Page 35: Out After Exposure
Out Level parameter in the Aux I/O Menu. All outputs share the same output level, you cannot configure each output individually. Page 35 of 45 Copyright © 2013 Dynamic Perception LLC dynamicperception.com All Contents licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution Share-Alike 3.0 License... -
Page 36: Common Use-Cases
9.4.1. Limit Switches One of the most common uses for auxiliary input is the use of limit switches. When a switch is triggered, the MX3 can be stopped, or direction can be reversed to continue shooting for as long as possible. -
Page 37: External Intervalometer
You must always run the Init I/O action after changing the I/O port settings. 9.4.2. External Intervalometer You may want to use the signal from another device to trigger the MX3, for example if you have multiple rigs running and want one central device to automate them. In this case, you will need to make sure that you have an isolated control signal for each MX3 - this can be achieved by feeding any intervalometer device into a Dynamic Perception MUX-4 Camera Splitter. -
Page 38: Chasing The Shutter
LOW, and then will be brought HIGH again when the shutter closes. Thus, we will need to inform the MX3 that it should respond to the RISING signal from the Aux inputs - which tells it to react when the signal transitions from LOW to HIGH. - Page 39 Trigger is set to Rising. Notably, limit switch operation will not function correctly unless the wiring is inverted (use normally closed instead of normally open switches). Page 39 of 45 Copyright © 2013 Dynamic Perception LLC dynamicperception.com All Contents licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution Share-Alike 3.0 License...
-
Page 40: Cold Weather Modification
10. Cold Weather Modification The MX3 has an available Cold Weather Mod that expands its operating low temperature rating to -20C (-4F). This involves, amongst other activities, replacing the LCD screen with one which is self-heating. As the LCD heater can consume electricity, the cold weather modification can be disabled when not shooting in very cold environments. -
Page 41: System Settings
LCD AutoOff Sec. is selected [Enter] to edit the LCD AutoOff Sec. parameter [Up] [Down] to change the parameter value Page 41 of 45 Copyright © 2013 Dynamic Perception LLC dynamicperception.com All Contents licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution Share-Alike 3.0 License... -
Page 42: Reset To Factory Defaults
MX3. Once activated, you can abort this action within 8 seconds by pressing enter. After memory has been reset, you will be unable to use the MX3 until you power cycle the device. The screen will inform you of this. -
Page 43: Updating Firmware
12. Updating Firmware You can update the MX3 either by using the DPWebUpdate utility, or directly via the Arduino IDE. For this manual, we will only cover using the DPWebUpdate utility. The DPWebUpdate utility can be found on the Dynamic Perception website, and is available for Windows and OSX. -
Page 44: Appendix A: Menu Tree
Temp Motor 1 ■ Temp Motor 2 ■ Temp Motor 3 ■ Voltage Warn ■ Voltage Thresh ○ Metric Display Page 44 of 45 Copyright © 2013 Dynamic Perception LLC dynamicperception.com All Contents licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution Share-Alike 3.0 License... - Page 45 ○ Jump! Appendix B: List of Supported Cameras The following cameras are supported, listed by camera connection cable available from Dynamic Perception. Note that not all cameras may support all features. Make Model Cable 10D, 20D, 30D, 40D, 50D, 7D, 6D, 1D Mark II, 1Ds Mark II, 1D...
Need help?
Do you have a question about the MX3 and is the answer not in the manual?
Questions and answers