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Here are the software and firmware files used in our project. They are included as links at the bottom of this page.

To use the Python files, you'll need Python version 2.6, PyGame, the Python Imaging Library, and (optionally for faster performance) Pysco.

You'll also need (obviously) images. Save any image into the same folder as the Python files, open sketch.py, and edit the last line. Put the filename of the picture and a threshold value (effectively brightening or darkening the image) here.

To use the C file, you'll need a PIC18F2455 to run the firmware, MPLAB to compile it, and a PICkit to program the PIC. Of course, you'll need the Etch-a-Sketch and a mechanical to use the code. If you don't have one handy, you can always just run the Python file by itself and it will draw the picture on screen as it would on the Etch-a-Sketch.

The picture.py file takes an image (JPG, PNG, or BMP) and imports it, as describedhere.

The sketch.py file is the main program. It takes the input from picture.py and display it for the user. From here, you can draw pictures, edit pictures, draw connecting lines, and draw the picture on the Etch-a-Sketch.

Some of the commands for this program are:

The sketch.c file is the firmware on the PIC. This takes commands from the computer and controls the motors as described here.