SharpLauncher

Download

Stable

Note: Do NOT install SharpLauncher 1.2 on Windows Vista, as you risk losing access to your USB devices. This is fixed in the development version, with a stable release soon.

• SharpLauncher 1.2 executable:
• SharpLauncher 1.2 Soure Code

Development

• Development version is buggy, but supports both DreamCheeky and RocketBaby models, and Vista Support
• Use at your own risk!
  • Installer(exe)
  • Source Code

Overview

• SharpLauncher is a open-source Windows application for controlling the DreamCheeky USB Rocket Launcher or Circus Cannon
• It is written in C# using the .NET Framework 2.0, using #SharpDevelop Open-Source IDE.
• Currently it supports the DreamCheeky USB Rocket Launcher and Circus Cannon. Support is planned for the Striker Missile Launcher.
• It is licensed under the LGPL, and is free to modify and redistribute.

Features (As of 1.2A)

• Fluid Keyboard Control, Mouse control through button clicks
• Can move launcher in “slow motion”
• Can attempt fire while simultaneously moving
• Ability to prime the air tank in advance, or automatically prime the air tank after a fire
• Webcam integration
  • Set the resolution of the webcam as well as the refresh rate
  • Take snapshots(.jpg) from the webcam quickly and easily with a hot key, view them, and delete them all from within the application
  • Toggle webcam on and off
  • Snap picture by right-clicking system tray icon
• View the log file from within the application
• Connect to multiple USB Launchers and simultaneously control them all.
• Enable, Disable specific launchers easily
• Send custom byte codes to launchers for command discovery
• Minimizes to system tray and suspends all processes, threads for minimal cpu consumption
• Rediscover / Reconnect to launchers without closing the application
• Take ‘candid shots’ automatically directly after fire
  • Note: If you configure this to take too many picture too quickly, could consume your processor and cause the launcher to fire more than once

Running / Compiling

• You’ll need to install usblib-win32 libraries, you can get it here (the filter pack, not the standalone driver pack). If you are downloading the latest (1.2 or greater) installer .exe, this is included with this installer.

Screenshot

Webcam Support

• Currently I’m using a GE Webcam I picked up at Target for $30, you can see it here. It comes with velcro and mounts quite nicely on the back of the rocket launcher.
• My code *should* work on most major name brand web cams, but I have no idea for sure, since I haven’t tested it with anything else.

Notes

• The clipboard is used to transfer the image data back and forth, so sometimes copying and pasting it other stuff makes the camera bug out.
• You must download and install libusb-win32 for 1.0 and 1.1, it is included in 1.2. You can download USBlib for Windows here. Do NOT install this for Vista.
• Right now version 1.2 does not work on Windows Vista, since libusb-win32 installs a kernel service that seems to not play well with the Vista kernel.
• For developers, LibHid is a currently unused Hid component I found here. I am going to try and convert the project over to this in the near future so eliminate the need for the LibUsb-Win32 kernel service, therefore making it compatibile with Vista.
• Also for developers, FritoNetworking is a tcpserver abstraction I got from here. It is currently unused, but I am going to attempt support for remote control over lan of the launchers at a later date.

Credits / Contributions

• Besides myself, these are code libraries and snippets I have used to speed up development:
  • LibUsbDotNet – Abstraction layer around USB devices for .NET, whether they are Hid compliant or not. Downside of this is that it depends on the kernel service provided by libusb-win32.
  • HID Component – Currently not using this in stable versions, but working on converting the project to use this instead of LibUsbDotNet/LibUsb-Win32
  • FritoNetworking – Currently not using this in stable version, but toying with the idea of using it to provide remote control of launchers over LAN
  • Many thanks to GetDigital.de, for sending me the newest model of the rocket launcher, since DreamCheeky seems to have changed their hardware a bit.