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Tutorials
Pipsta tutorials are split into Introductory, Advanced and Extended categories.
Introductory tutorials give a good grounding on the topic, and may be all that is needed for those simply wishing to use the script. Little or no Python knowledge is assumed.
Advanced tutorials describe the underlying functionality and expand on the introductions. Some Python/Linux familiarity may be required.
Extended tutorials build upon the Introductory and Advanced tutorials to demonstrate end-user applications.
Introductory Tutorials
Pipsta First-Time Setup
Read this first after assembling your Pipsta
Banner Print
Building on Basic Print, this tutorial introduces the Python Imaging Library's font rendering capabilities to produce long banners in a variety of fonts.
QR Code Print
Combining a QR Code generation library with the Python Imaging Library allows the printing of QR Codes
Pipsta and Scratch
Uses the scratchpy library to allow communication between Scratch and Python to produce a 'certificate' which is predominantly defined in the Scratch game. This enables those with no experience of Python to modify print-outs to their requirements.
NFC Printing
Guides users of NFC-enabled Android smart phones and tablets on the Pipsta's NFC capabilities, demonstrating direct printing and the extensible NFC Server's default Banner and QR Code scripts.
Simple Web Printing (Prerequisites)
Details all the necessary steps to set-up a web-hosting site required to demonstrate subsequent Web Send and Web Print functionality.
Web Send
Describes the method of sending data to the web hosted database configured in 'Simple Web Printing (Pre-requisites)', to be retrieved and printed by Web Print
Web Print
Closes the loop by printing the data sent in the previous Web Send tutorial. Also demonstrates how records can be marked as processed.
Advanced Tutorials
Basic Print Python Code Tutorial
A description of the core USB initialisation and communication used in all scripts.
Banner Print Python Code Tutorial
An introduction to graphics printing with Pipsta, and the process of conversion from an image to the required graphics commands.
QR Code Print Python Code Tutorial
Provides detail on the functionality of the QR-Code Script.
Scratch Python Code Tutorial
This three-step tutorial walks the user through the basics of communication between Scratch and Python before culminating in a simple Scratch 'Number Bonds' game that prints a certificate on successful completion.
Pipsta NFC Python Code Tutorial
Provides an overview of how an NFC-enabled Android phone communicates with the Pipsta Printer and polling Python script.
Web Send Python Code Tutorial
Provides some insight into the functionality of the Web Send script, and discusses possible enhancements and applications.
Web Print Python Code Tutorial
Shows how the Python script polls the SQL database and retrieves print-jobs before marking them as retrieved.
Christmas Tutorials
Throughout December, we will be releasing a host of new Pipsta projects. There will be enhancements to existing projects (with mandatory Christmas twists) and the introduction of exciting new features and applications for hobbyists, educators and parents with children to occupy!
If your interests lie in software and/or electronics, there will be plenty of projects for you to enjoy. Keep an eye on Pipsta's Facebook page for updates.
1) Advent Calendar
This project prints out a different image each day from 1st to 25th December. Run it every day to get the full set of pictures and colour them in as you go!
2) Naughty/Nice Checker
A project that connects to the Santabase and queries the behaviour of children. If he/she has been nice, they get a timestamped certificate stating such. But not before significant deliberation. So be good, for goodness' sake!
3) Santa Letter Generator
Nice children can now send their Christmas present lists to Santa! This script uses QR Codes and introduces the features of Linerless Label media.
4) Christmas Banner
Pipsta plus one of Kevin King's beautiful fonts make for fantastic, eye-catching Christmas banner decorations and Place-Setting Name Cards that are sure to be a real conversation point at festive family gatherings!
5) Snowman Paper Dolls
Keep the kids occupied with this fun Chrimstmas-themed paper dolls project.
6) Holly Berries
An electronics project using the brand new Pipsta Circuits easy prototyping concept. A great introduction to electronics for kids 6 and up (with a bit of adult assistance)... and all with a festive theme!
7) Rudolph
Two methods are described to make Rudolph's nose glow in this continuation of Pipsta Circuits tutorials.
8) Pi 1 Model B CAD
Not really a tutorial, but more of an early Christmas present for those wishing to use Pipsta with the old Pi 1 Model B. STL files available for those with a 3d printer, and STEP files for those wanting to modify the CAD for their own purposes. If you develop a nice project based on this, please drop us a line or two telling us what you did!
9) Fritzing To Pipsta Hack
Use Fritzing to design your own Breadboard layouts, then print them out using this Pipsta Circuits project. For fun only; not for commercial use! Tutorial is here.
10) Audio Hack
It's beginning to sound a lot like Christmas! Here's a simple Pipsta Circuits project to play some Christmas tunes... on speakers connected to a GPIO pin(!) Tutorial is here.
11) Pipsta Drawings
We've released the drawings for the Standard Pipsta Housing today so modders can experiment with the case design. The files can be downloaded here, but please also read the notes here for information on the files' use.
12) Pipsta Circuits Template
In our final offering for 2015, we provide a template for those wishing to lay-out their own breadboard circuit and accompanying script to print it off. The project can be downloaded here and the tutorial and notes are here.
Extended Tutorials
Adding Bespoke Methods to the Pipsta NFC Android App
The starting point for those wishing to add their own Pipsta NFC functionality
Adding Bespoke Methods to the Pipsta NFC Daemon
Completes the addition of new functionality to the NFC system
Technical Bulletins
Simple Monitoring for Print Job Completion
Demonstrates a method of checking for print completion using the Pipsta Printer's STATUS ENQUIRY command.
Pipsta Printer Character Set
Provides an index for diacritics (accents etc.), shading and line-drawing characters in the printer's ASCII range 0x80 to 0xFF.
Pipsta Circuits
An introduction to how Pipsta Circuits can deliver electronics lessons of improved pace and range, with dramatically improved diagnostics as compared with traditional breadboard prototyping.
Formatting Text with Textwrap
This bulletin covers the use of Textwrap for improving the formatting of text printing.
Printing to 2 Pipstas from 1 Pi
Following requests to use a single Raspberry Pi to print to 2 Pipsta printers, a new script has been added to the repository (12_Two_Pipstas). The Tech Bulletin can be found here.
Installing CUPS
If you wish to print using CUPS you must install the CUPS printer driver first.
Printing Using CUPS
Some simple hints and tips on using CUPS.
Updated