Make Course Software:
We recommend to use these software packages. If you are already proficient in a different CAD software like Solidworks, please feel free to use it. We support the Autodesk Inventor package and the original Arduino IDE in class.
Autodesk Inventor: http://www.autodesk.com/education/student-software
Download the "Inventor Professional" package (install the latest version). License: Students get a 36 months free license.
This software package will be used for professional 3D design of mechanical parts.
Arduino Integrated Development Environment (IDE): http://arduino.cc
Download the latest Arduino IDE. License: Open source.
This will be used to program the Arduino micro controller board.
Fritzing: http://fritzing.org
This software package can be used to document your Arduino-based control circuit.
Screen Capture Software:
All you need to get in addition to software is a headset with microphone (Dr. Schlaf used this Logitech model for recording the videos used in this course) and you are ready to go.
ActivePresenter: http://atomisystems.com/activepresenter/
ActivePresenter is a complete solution that integrates screen capture recording with timeline editing. The free version appears to have no superimposed watermarks and also has not time restrictions. Works only on Windows PCs.
Jing: http://www.techsmith.com/jing.html
"Jing is a computer service that lets you capture basic video, animation, and still images, and share them on the web". Free software from Techsmith that can capture a selectable screen area for up to 5 min and provides some simple editing features.
Screencast-O-Matic: http://www.screencast-o-matic.com
The free version is useful, but imprints a logo on your captures.
On Macs the 'built-in' Quicktime software is great for screen capturing, while the iMovie app can be used for editing your final video.
Compressing videos: Generated videos should not be larger than 100 Mb. If your software outputs larger files, one great way to compress them into compact high-res mp4 files is to upload them to YouTube and then download them again. YouTube put a lot of effort into compression to save space on their servers. Here is a tutorial how to do this using the VLC player.
Autodesk Inventor: http://www.autodesk.com/education/student-software
Download the "Inventor Professional" package (install the latest version). License: Students get a 36 months free license.
This software package will be used for professional 3D design of mechanical parts.
Arduino Integrated Development Environment (IDE): http://arduino.cc
Download the latest Arduino IDE. License: Open source.
This will be used to program the Arduino micro controller board.
Fritzing: http://fritzing.org
This software package can be used to document your Arduino-based control circuit.
Screen Capture Software:
All you need to get in addition to software is a headset with microphone (Dr. Schlaf used this Logitech model for recording the videos used in this course) and you are ready to go.
ActivePresenter: http://atomisystems.com/activepresenter/
ActivePresenter is a complete solution that integrates screen capture recording with timeline editing. The free version appears to have no superimposed watermarks and also has not time restrictions. Works only on Windows PCs.
Jing: http://www.techsmith.com/jing.html
"Jing is a computer service that lets you capture basic video, animation, and still images, and share them on the web". Free software from Techsmith that can capture a selectable screen area for up to 5 min and provides some simple editing features.
Screencast-O-Matic: http://www.screencast-o-matic.com
The free version is useful, but imprints a logo on your captures.
On Macs the 'built-in' Quicktime software is great for screen capturing, while the iMovie app can be used for editing your final video.
Compressing videos: Generated videos should not be larger than 100 Mb. If your software outputs larger files, one great way to compress them into compact high-res mp4 files is to upload them to YouTube and then download them again. YouTube put a lot of effort into compression to save space on their servers. Here is a tutorial how to do this using the VLC player.
Additional Software:
Camtasia: Very nice, professional software for screen casting. It has timeline editing and it is straight forward to edit/cut footage and to voice overs etc...There is a one-month free trial available for this software.
iCircuit (it is available for iOS, Android, OSX, Windows. Cost: $9.99): http://icircuitapp.com
This is a great little app for quick circuit simulation. It features drag and drop circuit diagrams and real time simulation, i.e. one can playfully engage with circuits. It is not a full Spice simulator, but great for the quick exploration of electronics concepts. If you are new to electronics, this is the app to get.
LTSpice: http://www.linear.com/designtools/software/
Download "LTSpice IV" on this page.
This is a professional spice-based circuit simulator. It can be used to simulate parts of your control circuits. In comparison to iCircuit the learning curve is much steeper, but the simulations will be more accurate, and real parts can be used in the simulations. This software goes considerably beyond the scope of the Makecourse, but, if you are into simulating electronic circuits, this is the way to go...
Camtasia: Very nice, professional software for screen casting. It has timeline editing and it is straight forward to edit/cut footage and to voice overs etc...There is a one-month free trial available for this software.
iCircuit (it is available for iOS, Android, OSX, Windows. Cost: $9.99): http://icircuitapp.com
This is a great little app for quick circuit simulation. It features drag and drop circuit diagrams and real time simulation, i.e. one can playfully engage with circuits. It is not a full Spice simulator, but great for the quick exploration of electronics concepts. If you are new to electronics, this is the app to get.
LTSpice: http://www.linear.com/designtools/software/
Download "LTSpice IV" on this page.
This is a professional spice-based circuit simulator. It can be used to simulate parts of your control circuits. In comparison to iCircuit the learning curve is much steeper, but the simulations will be more accurate, and real parts can be used in the simulations. This software goes considerably beyond the scope of the Makecourse, but, if you are into simulating electronic circuits, this is the way to go...