FRC Blogged - Information for 2013 - the What, When, Where & How

[Hallry]

Taken from the FRC Blog, 1/2/2013: http://www.usfirst.org/roboticsprogr...-where-and-how

Blog Date: Wednesday, January 2, 2013 - 16:58

With Kickoff only a few days away, we’re going post a good deal of information and documentation to help you hit the ground running. We recommend you download everything you need ahead of time to 1) beat the rush and help us even out the load on servers and 2) have what you need ready to go on Saturday when/where you may not have internet access.

Below is a quick summary of what will be available, when it will be available, where you can get it, and how it will be shared.

Available Now

• 2013 Development Environment Installation Instructions (WPI Lib ScreenSteps page): This site has additional control system information, but these instructions are particularly helpful for getting started. [Unencrypted]
• 2013 Game Manual (FRC Manual page): The manual will be unencrypted immediately after Kickoff. [Encrypted]
• 2013 Field Drawings (FRC Manual page): These drawings are included on the Manual page as “Supplemental Documentation” and will be unencrypted immediately after Kickoff. [Encrypted]
• 2013 Team Version Drawings (FRC Manual page): These drawings are included on the Manual page as “Supplemental Documentation” and will be unencrypted immediately after Kickoff. [Encrypted]
• 2013 Robot Quick-Build Instructions (FRC Technical Resources page) [Encrypted]
• 2013 KOP Checklists (FRC Kit of Parts page): Checklists will be unencrypted immediately after Kickoff. [Encrypted]
• 2013 FRC Bridge Configuration Utility (FRC Technical Resources page): This is needed by all teams to configure the radio for home use. This application requires Java installed on the machine. [Unencrypted]

Available TBD

• 2013 Classmate Image Files (Intel): Exact go-live date/time for 2013 material is TBD. The intent is to make it available before Kickoff. We will be posting independent images for E09, E11, & 12 versions. [Unencrypted]

Available January 3

• 2013 C++/Java Software Updates (WPI Lib First Forge page): This is only needed by teams using C++/Java and will be unencrypted immediately after Kickoff. [Encrypted]
• 2013 LabVIEW Utility Updates (National Instruments): This is needed by all teams and will be unencrypted immediately after Kickoff. Currently links to 2012 information, will change over to 2013 information once files are posted January 3. [Encrypted]
• 2013 Driver Station Application (National Instruments): This is only needed by teams using LabVIEW and will be unencrypted immediately after Kickoff. Currently links to 2012 information, will change over to 2013 information once files are posted January 3. [Encrypted]
• 2013 LabVIEW Updates (National Instruments): This is only needed by teams using LabVIEW and will be unencrypted immediately after Kickoff. Currently links to 2012 information, will change over to 2013 information once files are posted January 3. [Encrypted]
• Kinect Server (WPI Lib First Forge page): Requires Microsoft’s SDK, V 1.6, installer will prompt user to install if not already on machine. [Encrypted]

Available January 5

• 2013 Field Tour Videos (FRC's YouTube Channel) [Unencrypted]
• Catalyst Game Simulation (Diamond Bullet Studios' page). [Unencrypted]
• Additional 100 FIRST Choice credits assigned (FIRST Choice page): Credits will be assigned at 4pm, Eastern.
• 2013 Q&A (FRC Q&A page) [Unencrypted]
• 2013 Replacement Parts Reporting (TIMS): Replacement Parts must be reported by the time the system closes at noon Eastern on Jan 13.

For the encrypted files, the decryption code (it’s the same code for all encrypted files) will be disclosed at the end of the Kickoff broadcast. Meanwhile, we recommend you bookmark the FRC Technical Resources page where all of these links (and others to information already posted) will also be available.

EDIT: There was an error in this blog post. Please see the correction here.

[DevenStonow]

As having to reset a bridge many times, often trying to do it from memorization, I am overjoyed that FIRST has finally released the bridge configuration utility for public use.

Also, hopefully this 2nd round of FIRST Choice will go much better.

[Andrew Lawrence]

Looks like the Kinect will be in this game.

[apples000]

2013 Driver Station Application (National Instruments): This is only needed by teams using LabVIEW and will be unencrypted immediately after Kickoff. Currently links to 2012 information, will change over to 2013 information once files are posted January 3.

Why do only the LabVIEW teams need the driver station? I think it's a typo.

[Hallry]

Originally Posted by apples000

Why do only the LabVIEW teams need the driver station? I think it's a typo.

You can ask them directly if it is a typo by commenting on the official blog post.

[Saberbot]

The labview updates all point to the 2012 versions, anybody else seeing this?
Edit: Nevermind, it says it will change on January 3rd. I probably should have read...

[ttldomination]

I have zipped up all the files (manual, field information, checklists) and zipped them up. I've hosted them on Dropbox and Google Drive for convenience.

Dropbox: Click Here
Google Drive: Click Here

Enjoy,
- Sunny G.

[Wiifi]

Looks like LabView has a robot simulator inside of it this year... Interesting.

http://s3.amazonaws.com/screensteps_...OldTUxWgWSk%3D

[MrTechCenter]

Originally Posted by Wiifi

Looks like LabView has a robot simulator inside of it this year... Interesting.

http://s3.amazonaws.com/screensteps_...OldTUxWgWSk%3D

This AND Catalyst 2013? I think planning and making bot decisions will be quite simple this year..

[R.C.]

Originally Posted by ttldomination

I have zipped up all the files (manual, field information, checklists) and zipped them up. I've hosted them on Dropbox and Google Drive for convenience.

Dropbox: Click Here
Google Drive: Click Here

Enjoy,
- Sunny G.

Awesome,

You rock man!

-RC

[Tom Line]

Originally Posted by Wiifi

Looks like LabView has a robot simulator inside of it this year... Interesting.

http://s3.amazonaws.com/screensteps_...OldTUxWgWSk%3D

Check the Beta test link in my signature for more info on the simulator.

[Wiifi]

Originally Posted by Tom Line

Check the Beta test link in my signature for more info on the simulator.

Ahhhhh I see it! So are the field objects modifiable? Or are they set by NI?

[dellagd]

Originally Posted by SuperNerd256

Looks like the Kinect will be in this game.

They did say that the kinect would be back in the FRC live videos. No one believed me...

[MrTechCenter]

Originally Posted by dellagd

They did say that the kinect would be back in the FRC live videos. No one believed me...

I also recall Woodie Flowers mentioning that we should all "Brush-up on our Kinect skills in the off-season" or something along those lines at Championships.

[apalrd]

Originally Posted by FRC Blog

Available January 3

2013 C++/Java Software Updates (WPI Lib First Forge page): This is only needed by teams using C++/Java and will be unencrypted immediately after Kickoff. [Encrypted]
2013 LabVIEW Utility Updates (National Instruments): This is needed by all teams and will be unencrypted immediately after Kickoff. Currently links to 2012 information, will change over to 2013 information once files are posted January 3. [Encrypted]
2013 Driver Station Application (National Instruments): This is only needed by teams using LabVIEW and will be unencrypted immediately after Kickoff. Currently links to 2012 information, will change over to 2013 information once files are posted January 3. [Encrypted]
2013 LabVIEW Updates (National Instruments): This is only needed by teams using LabVIEW and will be unencrypted immediately after Kickoff. Currently links to 2012 information, will change over to 2013 information once files are posted January 3. [Encrypted]
Kinect Server (WPI Lib First Forge page): Requires Microsoft’s SDK, V 1.6, installer will prompt user to install if not already on machine. [Encrypted]

Realistically, what prevents them from releasing all of this now?

I mean seriously, it's really really annoying to have to learn the specifics of the new library every year after kickoff, and beta teams already have it, so why can't we have it too?