One thing about programming is that… I don’t actually know what I am doing. But I’ve been having a go at it (OK, once in a while) since the turn of the Century and the results are more or less what I wanted. At first, it was just blinking LEDs and different sequences which was impossible to be done on a single off-the-shelf IC. Then came the need for LEDs to have different dimness which became a challenge but scouring through the Internet, I got my answers.
As for the rest, it was always through trial and error since the notes that I keep were always either missing or out of date. Which brings me to creating a ‘Basic Program Template’ which I can then modify and evolve it to the desired results. You can see that I really sucked at Programming and also, I was never serious about them. Truth to be told, the Scale Lighting Hobby is so niche here that I was unable to find someone talk to and pick their brains. The moment they answered with the word, ‘Arduino’ quickly meant that subsequent conversations would be futile and biased towards it.
It’s not that I do not like the solution but there are some Copyright Terms when it comes to selling own designs. Therefore, I am still set on using Microchip PICs. With that concept, I can custom design my own circuits around the Chip as I see fit which makes it much more compact especially when it comes it scale model kits where space is a premium. But the trade-off is that the whole circuit it meant for that single purpose.
Which is still fine by me.
FLOWCODE VERSION
I have been using Version 3 for decades despite having upgrading it to the Version 6. Yeah, it is expensive and the new version, although is simpler, requires time for me to re-learn things again. First, the Software is to create the program to do what I needed. Second, there is a IDE (Integrated Development Environment) software which programs the chip. My one way solution is to export the Version 3 program into Version 6.
Right now, Version 10 is already out and I am mulling about upgrading it.
WINDOWS 11 UPDATES
Things came to a boil a few days ago when the Version 3 software was unable to compile (Converts the Program into Machine Code for the IDE). Scouring the Internet proved futile since not many were using this Software on Windows 11. Despite my un-installing and re-installing, it does not work. Luckily Version 6 does after a few test. And so did the IDE (after some un-installing and re-installing). I am not too sure as to what has happened but there are some other programs experiencing the same issue, which I can only deduce as some recent silent Windows update.
IN THE MEANTIME
Through trial and error, I have been recreating the program for the Razor Crest to include lighting the ring of LEDs prior to engine starting and also, added in some subtle effects as well. It took me a few days to realise why both versions of the software were not compiling properly. One was the Windows 11 issue and the other, well, was the compiler telling me there was not enough memory on the chip.
I had to remove and rebuild certain segments of the program as the ones that I though would save me memory was actually doing the opposite. Of course I can just go to my Windows7 PC and re-work the program on Version 3 but, nah. It’s time I need to move on. So, guess which Guy is spending his four days of Eid al-Fitr (In Malaysia, it is Hari Raya Aidil Fitri) trying to make everything work again?
This strange V-thingy is a SOIC Test Clip which I connected to the Programmer. It sometimes, slips off and the connection is not reliable due to the excess solder on the chip and loose metal in the clip. But it gets the job done considering it is much better than de-soldering the Chip, programming it and then solder it back to the board. Do that at least a few times, and you will get broken things.
IN THE MEANTIME
The chip is running out of memory. So, with the main issues above solved, I can now concentrate on fine-tuning the Standby Mode where the ring LEDs fade in and out at different timing. If not, I’ll just have to make do with only one timing. irl, the timing does not make any difference unless you know about it.
