nxtstep101

That worked! Thanks a ton, Paul.

Ifilin: Beautiful pictures! Where did you get those lamps?

I recently attempted to upgrade my NXT to the newest software, after I clicked download it located the brick then began installing. However, a couple seconds later the NXT screen went blank and a gentle clicking noise started. I left it plugged in for about two hours and when I came back it was still making the clicking noise and no further download progress was made. I have heard of the notorious "clicking brick syndrome" before, so I followed the steps to attempt to fix it. However, each time I try to re-install the NXT firmware it fails to locate the brick. Anybody have any idea on how to fix this? Also, it should probably be noted that the laptop I am currently using is running Windows 10, could that be the problem?

Hey everyone! Here is my new GBC module, designed to operate similar to a ski lift. It uses a single L motor to operate the chain movement. The balls are loaded automatically into the chairs as they rotate around. The hopper can currently only hold five balls, but can be configured to hold more. Here is the video, the building instructions and a link to some additional pictures: Building Instructions: http://www.mediafire...bc_ski_lift.lxf Additional pictures: http://www.brickshel...ry.cgi?f=555913 Enjoy!

When I incorporate it into a loop, yes.

As RohanBeckett said, the tread link fit snugly in the hole, it would take quite a bit of more weight to cause them to slip out.

After a long delay, I finally found the time to finish up the building instructions for this project. The LDD is available for download: http://www.mediafire.com/download/il6ng7mzn543q9j/gbc_ski_lift.lxf Just so you know, there are a couple parts that don't appear to fit correctly in LDD, however they do in fact fit correctly in real life. Also, the L motor apparently hasn't been added to LDD, so I wasn't able to include that either. Other than that, everything should be pretty self explanatory. Let me know if you run into any issues. Enjoy!

Utterly amazing! It rides very smoothly, and is very well designed both aesthetically and mechanically.

Nope. I did have to fine-tune the mechanism to work so well, since the first version would drop a ball here and there.

It would probably need to be changed after a couple hours of constant use. I did actually consider using the larger ones, however, like you said, they changed the scale too much.

Thanks everyone! :) I would, however, this is going to be incorporated into a loop with other GBC modules. I manually added the balls to demonstrate how the module works. Yep your right. However, I'm not really planning on bringing it to any conventions, since there isn't any near where I live. So I'm not really concerned as much with conforming it to all the GBC standards. 100, including the black tread links.

Very nice! Love the clean look and smooth movements.

Awesome module! The mechanisms all work so smoothly.

Well since it is the "MINDSTORMS community" I think it would be appropriate for them to only allow creations that include MINDSTORMS. Also, in the rules it clearly states that you can use older versions of the MINDSTORMS (e.g. RCX and NXT) if you'd like.

I recently found out about POV-Ray and am going to use it to start making HQ renders of my LDD models. I only have one problem: whenever I try rendering it ends up taking a super long time, so long in fact that I end up having to cancel the cycle. The longest I've tried letting it run was for ~36 hours, and it only rendered 60% in that time. Is it normal for it to take this long? And just in case it is needed I have included the LDD of the model I am attempting to render. gbc_dual_arms.lxf

Congrats to all the winners and contestants! You all did an outstanding job!

I know that Mindsensors developed an interface that allows you to control the NXT via a PS2 remote. There is also apps that you can download on your phone/tablet that communicate with the NXT via bluetooth. Also, if you have an another NXT to spare you could use one of them as a remote to control the other. Those are all the alternatives that I can think of at the moment.

27: 10 22: 6 38: 4 21: 3 34: 2 43: 1 Everyone did an excellent job, it was honestly very difficult to pick which ones to vote for.

Yeah that's what I figured. Although, I did figure out how to include the shadow while keeping it transparent, but it required me to edit the picture a little in gimp. The wrong background color. I tried the same thing with different color bricks and it displays the white background perfectly. For some reason it only seems to affect dark colored bricks... Not sure why, though.

Also, why whenever I render a dark color model and set the background color to white it always makes it a dark gradient instead. Any idea on how to fix this?

I have another question: Is there any way to have a model display shadows even when the background is completely transparent? Thanks.

I heard about this a couple months ago, the media must have just recently caught wind of it. It's a really cool project! I wonder if they will try to do the same thing but with the human brain.. It would certainly be amazing if they did.

The first Technic model I got was the 8043 Excavator, which I really didn't find too challenging to build. I did make a small mistake with the placement of one of the clutch gears though, but that was probably because I built it so late at night.

Excellent additions!