(Born4Flight | FlyCamCzech | Jakub Ešpandr)

The FlyCamCzech FOCUSpilot is an Arduino-based system designed for automated focus stacking photography. This device controls a stepper motor to move a camera lens through different focus positions, automatically triggering the camera shutter at each position to capture a series of images for focus stacking. Perfect for macro and close-up photography where extended depth of field is required.

• Automated Focus Stacking: Automatically moves through focus positions and triggers camera capture
• Professional Preset System: Dedicated modes for Macro Rail and Microscope applications
• Enhanced Algorithms: Mode-specific focus stacking algorithms optimized for different applications
• AutoSave Functionality: Automatic saving of settings when enabled for seamless operation
• Mirror Lock Support: Vibration-free photography with configurable mirror lock timing
• Auto Return Function: Automatic return to start position after stacking completion
• Manual Control: Manual forward/backward movement with position memory
• Dynamic Motor Control: Automatic speed adjustment based on depth of field and stepping mode
• Configurable Parameters: Adjustable depth of field (DoF), step size, timing, and trigger settings
• LCD Interface: 16x2 LCD display with rotary encoder navigation
• Keypad Control: 4-button keypad for quick manual operations
• EEPROM Storage: Settings are saved to non-volatile memory with separate preset storage
• Bidirectional Operation: Support for both forward and backward focus stacking sequences
• Emergency Stop: Quick stop functionality using encoder button
• Progress Monitoring: Real-time display with remaining time estimation
• HiRes Mode: High-resolution stepping (1/32 microstepping) for precise positioning
• Direct Preset Selection: Quick access to Microscope and Rail presets
• Smart Unit Display: Automatic unit display (nm/μm) based on selected mode
• Relay Test: Automatic camera trigger relay verification on startup

• Arduino board (compatible with Arduino IDE)
• 16x2 LCD display with I2C interface (address 0x27)
• Rotary encoder (CLK, DT, SW pins)
• 4-button keypad
• Stepper motor driver
• Relay module for camera trigger
• Stepper motor

• Wire.h – I2C communication
• LiquidCrystal_I2C_Menu.h – LCD menu system
• EEPROM.h – Non-volatile memory storage
• Keypad.h – Keypad input handling
• EEPROMTyped.h – Typed EEPROM operations

1. Install Libraries: Install the required Arduino libraries through the Library Manager
2. Connect Hardware: Wire the components according to the pin diagram above
3. Upload Code: Upload the fccFS-PRO_1.2.0.ino file to your Arduino board
4. Power On: Connect power and initialize the system

The project includes a Python script (ino2cpp.py) that converts Arduino .ino files to standard C++ format:

• Python 3.x (3.6+ recommended for f-strings)
• tkinter (usually included with Python, see requirements.txt for details)
• No external dependencies - uses only Python standard library modules

1. Check requirements: Review requirements.txt for system-specific notes
2. Install tkinter (if needed):
   • Ubuntu/Debian: sudo apt-get install python3-tk
   • macOS/Windows: Usually included with Python installation
3. Verify installation: Run python -c "import tkinter" to test

• Automatic Conversion: Converts .ino files to .cpp and .h files
• Function Prototypes: Automatically extracts and generates function declarations
• Library Detection: Scans and copies required Arduino libraries
• GUI Interface: User-friendly graphical interface for file selection
• Deep Library Scan: Searches multiple Arduino library locations

1. Run the script: python ino2cpp.py
2. Select .ino file: Browse to your Arduino sketch
3. Choose output directory: Select where to save converted files
4. Convert: Click "Convert and export" to generate files

• fccFS-PRO_1.2.0.cpp: Main implementation file with all code
• fccFS-PRO_1.2.0.h: Header file with function prototypes
• Library copies: Required Arduino libraries copied to output directory

• Better IDE Support: Standard C++ format works with any C++ IDE
• Code Analysis: Enables advanced code analysis and refactoring tools
• Version Control: Better diff tracking and merge capabilities
• Documentation: Automatic function prototype generation
• Integration: Easier integration with larger C++ projects

• 15 Pre-configured Objectives across 3 carousels:
  • Carousel 1 (small): 2.5x, 3.2x, 6.3x, 10x, 16x
  • Carousel 2 (apo): 6.3x, 16x, 40x, 63x, 100x
  • Carousel 3 (GF): 10x, 20x, 40x, 63x, 100x
• One-Click Loading - Instant preset selection with pre-configured DOF values
• Individual EEPROM Storage - Each objective has dedicated memory location

• Photo Count Mode - Set number of photos instead of distance
• Dynamic Step Calculation - Automatically calculates optimal step size
• Enhanced Progress Display - Real-time photo count and time remaining

• Dedicated Test Menu - Comprehensive testing options
• Motor Movement Testing - Verify forward/backward operation
• Camera Trigger Testing - Test shutter release functionality

• Microscope-Only Platform - Optimized specifically for microscope workflows
• Streamlined Interface - Reduced complexity for specialized use cases

• Automated Focus Stacking - Precise motor control for focus stacking sequences
• Dual DOF System - Small and big increment options for different workflows
• Auto Return - Automatic return to start position after stacking
• Mirror Lock - Camera mirror lock functionality for vibration reduction
• Auto Save - Automatic EEPROM saving of settings

• Rotary Encoder - Intuitive menu navigation and value adjustment
• Keypad Input - Quick access to functions and numeric input
• LCD Display - Real-time status and menu information
• Stepper Motor Control - Precise microstep positioning

• Motor Speed - Adjustable from 5-1000ms for optimal performance
• Microstep Settings - Configurable MS1, MS2, MS3 for precision
• DOF Ranges - Extended ranges for both small and big increments
• Objective Presets - 15 pre-configured microscope objectives

• testSHOT: Trigger camera shutter manually
• RUN: Automated focus stacking sequences
  • RUN Forward: Execute forward focus stacking
    • um/step small: Set precise depth of field for detailed work
    • um/step big: Set extended depth of field for faster stacking
    • Photos: Set number of photos for photo-based stacking
    • RUN by Photos: Execute stacking based on photo count
    • RUN dist: Execute stacking based on distance
  • RUN Backward: Execute backward focus stacking
    • um/step small: Set precise depth of field
    • um/step big: Set extended depth of field
    • RUN: Execute backward stacking
• PREFERENCES: System configuration
  • SET Objectives: Configure objective presets
    • Carousel 1 (small): 2.5x, 3.2x, 6.3x, 10x, 16x
    • Carousel 2 (apo): 6.3x, 16x, 40x, 63x, 100x
    • Carousel 3 (GF): 10x, 20x, 40x, 63x, 100x
  • Presets: Quick objective selection
  • Motor Speed: Adjust motor timing (5-1000ms)
  • Microsteps: Configure MS1, MS2, MS3 settings
  • Auto Return: Enable/disable automatic return
  • Mirror Lock: Enable/disable mirror lock
  • Auto Save: Enable/disable automatic saving
• TEST: System testing and validation
  • testStep: Test motor movement
  • testSHOT: Test camera trigger

• Speed Range: 5-1000ms (extended from previous versions)
• Microstep Configuration: MS1, MS2, MS3 for precision control
• Direction Control: Forward/backward movement

• Microscope Normal: 10-1800nm
• Microscope HiRes: 5-1000nm

• Microscope Normal: 10-3000nm
• Microscope HiRes: 5-2000nm

• 15 Pre-configured objectives with optimized DOF values
• Individual EEPROM storage for each objective
• Quick selection from 3 carousels

• VERSION: System information
  • model: fccFS2 PRO
  • by FlyCamCzech
  • version 1.2.0
  • 1. Aug. 2024

FOCUSpilot/
├── fccFS-PRO_1.2.0/
│   └── fccFS-PRO_1.2.0.ino    # Main Arduino sketch (current version)
├── fccFS-PRO_1.2.0.cpp        # Converted C++ implementation file
├── fccFS-PRO_1.2.0.h          # Converted C++ header file
├── ino2cpp.py                 # Arduino to C++ conversion script
├── requirements.txt           # Python dependencies for conversion script
├── libraries/                  # Required Arduino libraries
│   ├── EEPROM/                # EEPROM management
│   ├── EEPROMTyped-1.0.0/     # Typed EEPROM operations
│   ├── Keypad/                # Keypad input handling
│   ├── LiquidCrystal_I2C_Menu-master/  # LCD menu system
│   └── Wire/                  # I2C communication
├── CHANGELOG.md               # Version history and changes
└── README.md                  # This documentation

• .ino: Original Arduino sketch format (for Arduino IDE)
• .cpp: Standard C++ implementation file (for advanced development)
• .h: C++ header file with function prototypes (for code analysis)

1. Select Objective: Choose from 15 pre-configured objectives
2. Set Parameters: Configure DOF, speed, and microstep settings
3. Position: Move to start position using manual controls
4. Execute: Run automated focus stacking sequence
5. Return: Automatic return to start position (if enabled)

1. Set Photo Count: Specify number of photos desired
2. Calculate Steps: System automatically determines optimal step size
3. Execute: Run stacking based on photo count
4. Monitor Progress: Real-time display of photos taken and remaining

1. Access SET Objectives: Navigate to objective configuration menu
2. Select Carousel: Choose from 3 carousels (small, apo, GF)
3. Configure DOF: Set optimal depth of field for each objective
4. Save Settings: Automatic EEPROM storage of configurations

• Arduino Board: Compatible with Arduino Mega or similar
• Display: I2C LCD display (16x2 or 20x4)
• Motor: Stepper motor with driver
• Input: Rotary encoder and 4x4 keypad
• Trigger: Relay for camera shutter control

• Arduino IDE: Version 1.8.x or newer
• Libraries: EEPROM, Keypad, LiquidCrystal_I2C_Menu, Wire
• Memory: ~60KB program space, ~2KB RAM
• EEPROM: 60+ addresses for comprehensive storage

• Motor Speed: 5-1000ms step timing
• Precision: Microstep control (MS1, MS2, MS3)
• Storage: 15 objective presets with individual EEPROM storage
• Menu System: 80+ menu options with hierarchical navigation

This project is licensed under the Non-Commercial Public License (NCPL v1.0)
© 2025 Jakub Ešpandr - Born4FLight, FlyCamCzech

See the LICENSE file for full terms.

• Built with ❤️ using Arduino and open-source libraries
• For support and updates, visit: WWW.FlyCamCzech.EU/FOCUSpilot