Hi everybody! Here's my first video in a series showing how I create my animatronics! This video covers how the skeleton pirates move (all of their servos and electronics) and everything inside the control box that I use for many of my animatronic projects. Part 2! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eh7ob9cQmfU&lc=z22nxbzbppjjuzpuvacdp432tjorccmyalsw3uumyhxw03c010c PARTS LIST: Watch the stream here! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lxaPpb7ETNw) 8/5/20 FIX: In the video, I connected the power to VL but that will not drive your servos on the SSC32u. You need to connect power to VS1 instead of VL. VL is meant to power the logic (processor) not the servos. More info about the board can be found here: http://www.lynxmotion.com/images/data/lynxmotion_ssc-32u_usb_user_guide.pdf ************* Here's all the stuff ****************** -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- --------------------------- Full list of parts with explanations/notes ----------------------------------- https://www.patreon.com/posts/full-parts-list-52299892 --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- And Some of the links listed below are Amazon Affiliate links, meaning that if you make a purchase using that link, I may get a commission. Skeleton: https://amzn.to/2XTLRZY ****Electronics**** ________Servos__________ (Stock rotation and direction works fine for this project) Shoulder servo (HS-425BB) : https://www.servocity.com/hs-425bb Jaw servo (HS-65HB) : https://www.servocity.com/hs-65hb-servo **Edit: in the video I showed an HS-65MG for the jaw but I've recently started using the HS-65HB. It's quieter and slightly cheaper than the MG and I think it works just as well.** __________________ A nice box to put the electronics in: https://amzn.to/31LjRsF **Sending Board: https://www.servocity.com/cat6-sending-board-non-boosted **Receiving Board: https://www.servocity.com/cat6-receiving-board-boosted **EDIT 10/29/2020: These go out-of-stock often. They are exclusive to Servo City (so you won't find them for sale by anyone else) and I don't know of any other similar alternatives. If they aren't available, you can sign up to be notified for when they go back in stock. SSC-32U: https://www.robotshop.com/en/lynxmotion-ssc-32u-usb-servo-controller.html?gclid=Cj0KCQjw6cHoBRDdARIsADiTTzbVzPKeXl5zR3IJGXt_s3IKQ92GN3-udZdj8YUgWmTyZrfV4adiexAaAmyGEALw_wcB Standoffs: https://amzn.to/31P4L5h *These are some cheaper standoffs from amazon. But any kind of standoff will do. You just want something to keep your electronics off of the surface they're mounted to.* __Servo Wire Extensions__ Jaw to receiving board: https://amzn.to/31Fw4io Sending boards to controller board: https://amzn.to/2XY5iRz *********RC Airplane Parts*********** _____Shoulder Parts______ Here's a nice bundle of all the parts you need: https://amzn.to/30ROP2Z ______Jaw Connectors_____ Cutting and bending a paper clip to attach the jaw to the servo horn would probably be cheaper, faster, and easier than using a connector. It won't be as durable, but it might be good enough. But if you want to use the connectors that I used you can find them here... Swivel Ball links and Ball links: https://www.dubro.com/products/swivel-ball-link?_pos=1&_sid=9ededa77a&_ss=r&variant=27880424391 https://www.dubro.com/products/2-56-threaded-ball-link?_pos=9&_sid=7fb247c9c&_ss=r _______________________ And the bracket used to hold the servos to the back of the skeleton is homemade. There are probably some pre-made brackets out there that can work as well. Here is the metal I used to make the bracket: https://www.homedepot.com/p/M-D-Building-Products-12-in-x-12-in-22-Gauge-Weldable-Sheet-56034/100237896 ****************************************** Help me feed and clothe these animatronics by supporting the channel on Patreon! ❤️ :) https://www.patreon.com/CatsMenagerie Questions? Comment below! #animatronic #diy #skull #howto #halloween

I've been working on a fun new way to control Corvus and I couldn't wait to show it to you guys! He's not ready yet, but here's a sneak peek of what it's going to look like! Corvus Vids: (newer) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FuqRlFpt2zw (old) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q3pdzz9YjOU Help me feed and clothe these animatronics by supporting the channel on Patreon! ❤️ https://www.patreon.com/CatsMenagerie #animatronic #flexsensors #robot #hand #puppet

Here's a video on how I made Corvus' eye(s). The eye I made in this video was for a version of Corvus--one with a light up eye--that I never finished. Instead, I used the mechanism I made here to give him a separate, functioning eyelid (rather than the painted on one I used in the first version and in this video). Then, I was able to tape the eye to a small servo beneath it to make it turn left and right. If you want to make two eyes, you can use this exact same method! Just put two eyes on the dowel side by side instead of one. Materials: -Ping Pong Ball -Paint, Gloss -Thin Dowel -Popsicle Sticks (to hold up eye) -Small Rubber Bands (I used the ones left over from when I had braces. Those are super handy for small puppets and projects like this!) -Jewelry Wire -Servo -and you'll need to have a drill! Comment below if you have any questions! More Tutorials! Skeletons and Control Box: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Jk3ZsyrTU4M Help me feed and clothe my animatronics by supporting the channel on Patreon! ❤️ :) https://www.patreon.com/CatsMenagerie #animatronic #diy #eye #howto #easy

Parts List overview starts at 14:21! In this stream, I go over the list of parts used in making one of my animatronic skeletons. This list is available publicly on patreon.com/CatsMenagerie. I also answered a variety of questions from the chat covering topics such as programming, building the skeleton, and more. --------PARTS LIST--------- https://www.patreon.com/posts/52299892 ---Parts mentioned not on the parts list--- Pololu Boards mentioned in the stream. You can use these instead of the SSC32u if you want: https://www.pololu.com/search/compare/102 Deburring tool used to clean the edges of the steal bracket so it's not sharp: https://amzn.to/3quIkhV ^affiliate link so I may make a commission if you purchase from it

Want to take your animatronic show to the next level with some audience interaction? Then you've come to the right place! The GateKeeper board works with the Helmsman software to let you trigger different VSA routines to play. To put it simply, this board allows you to use sensors to control your animatronic to have unique responses to different situations. There are lots of creative ways this can be used and I share a few of my ideas in the video. If any of you would like to share your own ideas, or have any questions, feel free to leave them in the comments below!! --------------------------------------------------- Links ----------------------------------------------------- GateKeeper I/O: https://lifeape.com/product/gatekeeper-i-o/ Helmsman software: https://lifeape.com/product/monkeybasic-helmsman-pro/ (video tutorial: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RQFcXdxoTxc) Motion Sensor: https://amzn.to/3iKPXir ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- ^some are affiliate links meaning that I may make a commission if you purchase from them. Want to make your own skeleton like that? Here's how: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tEgvTZaa_KY **And check back Saturday, June 26th at 3pm ET for the first live-stream on how to make one!!** ------------------------------------- Live stream parts list --------------------------------------- https://www.patreon.com/posts/full-parts-list-52299892 ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Help me feed and clothe this animatronic by supporting the channel on Patreon! ❤️ :) https://www.patreon.com/CatsMenagerie Follow me if you want Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/Catherine.Alvord #animatronic #skeleton #diy

Make your animatronic follow your head movements in TrackSkull with the TrackIR camera! Learn the basics of TrackSkull: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eh7ob9cQmfU ---------- The Stuff --------------------------------------------------------- TrackSkull V2: https://lifeape.com/product/monkeybasic-trackskull TrackIR Camera: https://www.pcaviator.com/store/product.php?productid=17516&cat=0&page=1 Logitech Joystick: https://www.logitechg.com/en-us/products/space/extreme-3d-pro-joystick.963290-0403.html ^If it's still sold out, you can try Amazon, but it'll probably be at a marked up price. Here it is on Amazon: https://amzn.to/2W4hoac (and that's an affiliate link, so I may make a commission if you purchase from it) 3-axis skull shown in the video: https://halloweenskulls.com --------------------------------------------------------------------------------- ------ Follow me :) -------- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/Catherine.Alvord Twitter: https://twitter.com/CatherineAlvord

This is an animatronic pirate show I made a few years ago for Halloween. I was doing some touch-ups this summer in the garage and thought it would be the perfect time to get a really good video. Enjoy! The skeletons are store-bought posable props that I outfitted with servos and programmed to fit a custom show-audio I created in Garageband using audio clips from the Pirates of the Caribbean rides in the Disney Parks (http://tellnotales.com/audio.php). The treasure used is mostly glass vases and other objects bought at thrift stores and painted to look gold, silver, bronze, etc. The costumes are made from clothing also brought from thrift stores that I then distressed. The barrels, crate, and chest are actual antiques bought from a salvage yard that have not been altered. Edit: Here's how to make these skeletons! Part 1: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Jk3ZsyrTU4M Part 2: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eh7ob9cQmfU Help me feed and clothe these animatronics by supporting the channel on Patreon! ❤️ https://www.patreon.com/CatsMenagerie #animatronic #halloween #display #pirates #animatronics

Hi all, I had a lot of information that I wanted to share so I thought I would make a little update video explaining everything. In the video I talk about: 0:27 - The big project I did this year 1:39 - All you people are amazing and making skeletons 3:12 - Upcoming videos 4:08 - Halloween 6:40 - Maybe Patreon Thank you all for for being here ❤️ and I'll be back Saturday with the TrackSkull V2 video. Also, I'm trying to post more here too: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/Catherine.Alvord Twitter: https://twitter.com/CatherineAlvord Music: https://www.purple-planet.com

A fun and easy prop to make inspired by a similar prop in the Queue line of Disney's Jungle Cruise attraction. Enjoy! ------The Stuff Used--------------- Some of the links listed below are Amazon Affiliate links, meaning that if you make a purchase using that link, I may get a commission. Large Box*: https://amzn.to/33V7ehi Smaller box*: https://amzn.to/2XSlnYH *Any two boxes will do as long as one is slightly larger than the other. These are the two I used. 6 inch Wooden Dowels: https://amzn.to/3iNu4Mj Square Dowels* for lid handle, etc: https://amzn.to/33UhV3V Wood sheets* for sign, etc: https://amzn.to/2CqqkRe *it would probably be cheaper to buy the pieces that you need from a craft or hobby shop Metal Rods for attaching dowels: I cut these from a yard flag but large paper clips could probably work as well. Hardware Cloth for caging: https://www.homedepot.com/p/Everbilt-1-2-in-x-2-ft-x-5-ft-19-Gauge-Galvanized-Steel-Hardware-Cloth-308221EB/205960835 Solenoid to make the spider move: https://www.adafruit.com/product/413 Raffia for bedding in cage: https://amzn.to/31JwwMI Spider: https://amzn.to/3kFJGDa Multicolor Light: https://amzn.to/2FbIdnI Wood stain: I bought mine from a local hardware store. Here's a small size with lots of color options https://www.homedepot.com/p/Varathane-1-qt-Red-Oak-Classic-Wood-Interior-Stain-339704/305502006 *I also primed the wood with conditioner before staining: https://www.homedepot.com/p/Varathane-8-oz-Wood-Conditioner-342085/305587137 You can also paint the box if you would like. It's your project so get creative and have fun!! :) -------Info on Solenoids-------- Solenoid: https://www.adafruit.com/product/413 Circuit: https://cdn-shop.adafruit.com/product-files/412/solenoid_driver.pdf How to control this prop with the SimpleLife controller: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9SGCR6AYv-c Or How to control solenoid with an Arduino: https://www.instructables.com/id/Controlling-solenoids-with-arduino/ Video on how to use it with Arduino: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nwVRMU9grSI Here's how to use a motion sensor with an Arduino: https://arduinogetstarted.com/tutorials/arduino-motion-sensor. *If you combine the code for the solenoid code in the video above, the section that controls the solenoid “digitalWrite(solenoid, HIGH)… to the delay after digitalWrite(solenoid, LOW)” would go after printing “Motion Detected!” in this example. ------ Follow me :) -------- Twitter: https://twitter.com/CatherineAlvord Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/Catherine.Alvord Help me feed this animatronic by supporting the channel on Patreon! ❤️ https://www.patreon.com/CatsMenagerie #junglecruise #spider #diy #disney

Thank you all for being here!!!! :) It's been so much fun and I can't wait to show you all the cool projects that I've got in the works!! Stay tuned to see the final products! ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Twitter: https://twitter.com/CatherineAlvord Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/Catherine.Alvord

Add a little flare to your jumpscares this Halloween with the SimpleLIFE controller by LifeApe! ---------------------------------------------- Links ---------------------------------------------------------- SimpleLIFE Controller: https://lifeape.com/product/simplelife-controller/ Want to make your own jumping spider box? Here's how I made mine: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tEgvTZaa_KY ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Help me feed and clothe this animatronic by supporting the channel on Patreon! ❤️ :) https://www.patreon.com/CatsMenagerie Follow me if you want Twitter: https://twitter.com/CatherineAlvord Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/Catherine.Alvord/ Sound effects from ZapSplat: https://www.zapsplat.com

Want to play multiple VSA routines? Then you've come to right right place :) ****The Software**** __Helmsman PRO__ https://lifeape.com/product/monkeybasic-helmsman-pro/ ^Helmsman requires VSA Console in order to run. You can find VSA Console here: https://www.brookshiresoftware.com/console_overview.htm __VSA__ https://brookshiresoftware.com/vsa_overview.htm ********************* What are TrackSkull and VSA? Learn more here! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eh7ob9cQmfU Want to make your own skeleton like that? Check out this tutorial! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Jk3ZsyrTU4M Questions? Comment below! #animatronic #programming #halloween #skeleton #talking

Updated Reel 2020 Contact: CatAlvord@gmail.com #animatronic #puppet #creature

A quick and simple way to make barnacles for decoration, prosthetics, etc. using hot glue and a screwdriver. #easy #barnacles #howto #crafts #sea

Hey, it’s Elizabeth - I was in charge of the Heffalumps and Woozles tunnel Cat and I built last year, and this year I did a solo project (Cat helped for 1 or 2 days). The whole thing took me 5 and a half weeks to complete and I built it at my grandmother’s house (thanks nana!) The façade is meant to be an old abandoned shack somewhere in the swampy American south. A witch has taken up residence inside the dilapidated building and strange things have begun to happen around it at night. I included a clip in the end of a 20-minute lightshow that will play on the façade every night during the week of Halloween. The show is comprised of various horror movie soundtracks, spooky ambience, and other audio that I put together in Garageband. I used Lightkey to program 4 dmx lights to change colors to this soundtrack and I’ll try to upload as much of the full show as I can in a separate video (depending on the mercy of the YouTube copyright gods). I’m really happy with how the façade turned out, so I hope you’ll enjoy! ----------------------------------------------------------- Tools used ---------------------------------------------------- This is the tool used to make the wood texture: https://amzn.to/2WvdrvG And this is the foam carver: https://amzn.to/3iOXjS4 *These are affiliate links and I may make a commission if you purchase from it ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Realistic Foam Wood Tutorial: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FRxMAWwZsc8 David Arndt Vine Tutorial: https://www.instructables.com/id/DIY-Inexpensive-Bendable-Waterproof-Vines/ Want to support the channel? Check out the Patreon page! ❤️ :) https://www.patreon.com/CatsMenagerie #halloween #homemade #diy #build #haunted

Programming! Yay! ***** The Stuff********** .....The Joystick I use..... Logitech Extreme 3D Pro: https://www.logitechg.com/en-us/products/space/extreme-3d-pro-joystick.963290-0403.html ^If it's sold out, you can try Amazon, but it'll probably be at a marked up price. Here it is on Amazon: https://amzn.to/2W4hoac (and that's an affiliate link, so I may make a commission if you purchase from it) .....TrackSkull by MonkeyBasic (AKA LifeApe)..... Free 10-day trial: https://lifeape.com/downloads/ Buy the full version here: https://lifeape.com/product/monkeybasic-trackskull/ TrackSkull is a software that allows you to puppeteer animatronics and record those movements. You can then export that recording into VSA to be played back on loop. .....VSA by Brookshire..... Free Demo version: https://brookshiresoftware.com/vsa_downloads.htm Buy the full version here: https://www.brookshiresoftware.com/vsa_order.php?ct=yes&PHPSESSID=vogtjcugrk1mvc2lsbdq6ai8e7 VSA is a software that allows you to combine your servo movement recordings and play back those recordings on loop. ************************ Want to make a skeleton like that? Check out this tutorial! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Jk3ZsyrTU4M Skeleton Parts List LIVESTREAM: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lxaPpb7ETNw Want to play multiple VSA routines? Use Helmsman Pro! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RQFcXdxoTxc Help me feed and clothe this animatronic by supporting the channel on Patreon! ❤️ :) https://www.patreon.com/CatsMenagerie Questions? Comment below! #animatronic #diy #skull #howto #halloween

My sister and I spent six weeks over the summer building this on the deck at my grandmother's house. We decided to build it there because A) it was solid, flat land and B) it would be a surprise for everyone in our neighborhood :) The tunnel was designed by my sister, who led the project, while I was mostly there for manual labor and lots of painting. Once completed, the whole thing takes about a day to set up and a few hours to take down. I had a ton of fun and yes, it rained every day (Nothing got really damaged, it just meant that everything was wet the whole time we worked and wearing wet clothes all day in the summer heat is not pleasant :P ) But I would gladly do this again! Nothing beats chilling with my best friend working on this monster of a project listening to surf music and eating way too much fast food. Thanks for watching everybody! (And thanks for letting us use your deck, Nana!) Want to support the channel? Check out the Patreon page! ❤️ https://www.patreon.com/CatsMenagerie Music: "Skyhawk Beach" by Blue Wave Theory http://freemusicarchive.org/music/Blue_Wave_Theory/Surf_Music_Month_Challenge/Skyhawk_Beach_fade_in "Ghostly Island" by The Vivisectors http://freemusicarchive.org/music/The_Vivisectors/Weird_Tales_Of_Ghostly_Islands/The_Vivisectors_-_09_-_Ghostly_Island #heffalumps #woozles #winniethepooh #halloween #yard

Here is the project my sister and I spent six weeks over the summer making. It's a 20 ft wooden tunnel walkthrough themed "Heffalumps and Woozles" from 'The Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh' movie (and most notably recognized from the Winnie the Pooh rides in the Disney Parks). We painted the tunnel with UV fluorescent paint and handed out ChromaDepth 3D glasses. These glasses make red colors appear closer and blue colors recede away, thus creating a 3D effect. We also used wooden cut-outs, follow-me eyes, and an infinity mirror to add to the 3D-ness of the tunnel. Unfortunately, it is hard to get the full experience through a video and without the glasses, but I had a lot of fun making this and I hope you enjoy! :) PS... if you own a pair of ChromaDepth glasses, feel free to put them on anyway! You can still experience a little of the 3D magic... (: Want to support the channel? Check out the Patreon page! ❤️ https://www.patreon.com/CatsMenagerie Song: "Heffalumps and Woozles" by the Sherman Brothers (from "The Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh") #heffalumps #woozles #winniethepooh #halloween #yard

Here's some of the first test runs of the new and improved Corvus! Now featuring a rotating eye with separate eyelid. Plus a better defined beak, and a soon-to-come more expressive face. Right now, this brand new mechanism is on the old body, but that could change. Currently, I'm puppeteering him through two separate programs and circuits at the same time (hence the Logitech joystick and Wii nunchuck) which can make puppeteering a little tricky. By Halloween, though, he should only need two nunchucks and will be fully mobile like last year. Song: "Thriller" by Michael Jackson (and thanks to my sister for controlling his arm while my hands were full.) #animatronic #puppet #creature #animatronics #test

An early test drive of Corvus' mechanics. I promised my sister these would be the first words out of his mouth. (And please excuse the constant left-tilt of the head. The servo parameters were off :P ) Song: Da Coconut Nut by Smokey Mountain #animatronic #puppet #creature #animatronics #test

This bird prototype can look left/right, up/down, and tilt his head. He can also blink and was design to lean forwards and back, however that mechanism was never tested. He was eventually modified and refitted into my other animatronic, Corvus. Corvus video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q3pdzz9YjOU #animatronic #test #homemade #animatronics

"Corvus, the Wandering Fate" is an animatronic (robotic) puppet I made last year as part of my Halloween costume. The creature design is original and was created as he was being built. His endoskeleton (mechanical structure) is made from popsicle sticks and scrap wood. He can blink (wink?), open both top and bottom jaws, look up/down, and rotate his neck, allowing him to tilt his head or look left/right. He also has a cable controlled arm and hand that can move back and forth at the elbow and wrist. He is controlled by a Wii Nunchuck and powered by a portable cell phone charger. Help me feed and clothe this animatronic by supporting the channel on Patreon! ❤️ :) https://www.patreon.com/CatsMenagerie Enjoy the video! #animatronic #halloween #costume #puppet #homemade

This is a puppet I made in 2017 of Salacious Crumb from Star Wars: Episode VI - Return of the Jedi. He's my first cable controlled puppet and (with exception to the cables and the latex) he's made entirely from scrap material I had lying around the garage. He can look left/right, nod his head, lean forwards/ back, and move both top and bottom jaws. He also has a speaker in his stomach that can play several variations of his iconic laugh. His body is made from wrapping paper molded into shape with masking tape, painted, then covered in latex. Enjoy the video! Help me feed and clothe this puppet by supporting the channel on Patreon! ❤️ :) https://www.patreon.com/CatsMenagerie #puppet #starwars #cosplay #salacious #puppets