Configuring Bottango

Learn how to configure your project, assign servos, and get ready to animate.

Now that your servos are wired up and your board is connected, it’s time to configure Bottango so you can start animating.

🗂️ Step 1: Create a New Project

1. Open Bottango.
2. Click New Project.
3. Give your project a name (e.g., “Servo Test Rig”).
4. Choose a save location on your computer.
5. Click Create.

💾 Bottango projects are stored as .btproj files and contain all your servo assignments, motion data, and triggers.

🎚️ Step 2: Add a Servo to the Scene

1. In the main timeline view, click Add Servo.
2. A new servo object will appear in the left-hand panel.
3. Double-click the servo name to rename it (e.g., “Head”, “Arm”, “Wing”).

📌 Step 3: Assign a Pin to the Servo

1. Select the servo you just added.
2. In the Servo Settings panel (bottom left), choose the correct Board.
3. Select the Pin that the servo is connected to (e.g., D3 or GPIO14).
4. Set the Min and Max angles (e.g., 0–180).
5. Click Save.

🔄 You can test the servo by dragging the position slider — it should move in real time!

🔄 Step 4: Add More Servos (Optional)

Repeat the steps above for each additional servo in your setup. You can:

• Name them descriptively (e.g., “Left Arm”, “Tail”, “Jaw”)
• Assign each one to a unique pin
• Set motion ranges specific to your project

🧪 Test All Servos

Use the sliders or create a simple timeline keyframe to test each servo’s range of motion. This helps:

• Identify reversed servos
• Prevent mechanical overextension
• Verify proper wiring and power

🗒️ Servo Configuration Tips

• If the servo moves the wrong direction, you can invert it in the settings.
• Avoid using pins reserved for USB/Serial on some boards (e.g., D0/D1 on Arduino).
• Bottango supports up to 6 servos per board, depending on performance.

You’re now fully set up to animate!

Next up: Creating Motion Sequences

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