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Firmata Library

Firmata allows you to control your Teensy from Adobe Flash, Puredata, Max/MSP and other applications that use the Firmata communication protocol.

Download: Included with the Teensyduino Installer
Latest Developments on Github

Normally you can simply load the compiled Firmata code onto your Teensy using Arduino. Select your Teensy board in Tools > Boards. Then open File > Examples > Firmata > StandardFirmata. Click upload.

Startup LED Blink

When Firmata boots, it blinks the LED in a pattern to let you know it's running, and give you the version number. Checking the LED blink is a simple way to verify your Teensy is running Firmata, before you attempt to control it from another program on your PC or Mac.

TODO: document LED blink - video? - animated gif??

Communication Port

Windows: must run serial installer - then use device manager to discover COM port number - TODO: document this - get device manager screenshot

Mac: /dev/cu.usbmodem12341

Linux: /dev/ttyACM0 - use "tail -f /var/log/messages" while plugging in the USB cable

Basic Usage - Flash

This page is a work-in-progress.

Basic Usage - Max/MSP

This page is a work-in-progress.

Basic Usage - Puredata

This page is a work-in-progress. TODO: instructions, screenshots, etc.

Known Issues

Firmata allows you to configure each pin, but this communication is only one way, from your PC to the board running Firmata. Your PC can not learn the current configuration of the pins. If you use a program, like Pduino, which shows the state of each pin, its initial configuration is likely NOT the same as your board. The on-screen settings are only the same as your hardware after they have been sent.

PWM only supports up to pin 15, due to a limitation in the Firmata protocol.

Servo motors are only supported on pins 0 to 11.

Please report any bugs to paul@pjrc.com. Please try to include enough information so the bug is "reproducible".

Firmata Resources

Firmata - Official Website

Maxuino

Arduino's Firmata Documentation