Trigger Button Editor
The Trigger Button editor allows you to configure a physical button connected to the DEIMOS firmware, which automatically activates an animation when pressed. It opens from the start window → Elements tab → New or Edit button, selecting the type Trigger Button.
A trigger button is a special element that does not generate segments on the timeline.
It is used exclusively for manual animation activation: when the physical button is pressed,
the DEIMOS firmware sends a command that starts the associated animation.
Fields
| Field | Description |
|---|---|
| Name | Unique identifier of the button within the domain (e.g. "Head button", "Eyes trigger"). Required. |
| Description | Free-form notes about the element, such as the physical location of the button or its wiring (optional). |
| Port | DEIMOS port where the button is connected (e.g. COM5). Required. |
| GPIO Pin | GPIO pin number on DEIMOS where the button is connected (e.g. 19, 20, 21). Required. |
Configuring the Animation
Once you have created a trigger button, you must associate it with an animation:
- Open the Main Editor (timeline)
- Click Animation → Animation properties
- In the Trigger button field, select the configured trigger button
- Save the changes
Once associated, pressing the physical DEIMOS button will automatically start the animation. If the animation is already playing, pressing the button will stop it.
Typical Workflow
- Create the trigger button in the domain (e.g. "Head button" on pin 20)
- Draw the animation on the timeline
- Associate the trigger with the animation (animation properties)
- Export to DEIMOS or Start playback from ARES
- Press the physical button → the animation starts automatically
Common Errors
| Message | Cause and Solution |
|---|---|
| Name required | The name field is empty. Enter a unique name. |
| Port not selected | No port has been selected. Select a valid port from the dropdown. |
| Invalid pin | The pin number is 0 or invalid. Enter a valid pin number for DEIMOS (e.g. 19–53). |
| Name already exists | An element with the same name already exists. Use a different name. |
| Button does not respond | Verify that the GPIO pin is correctly connected to the physical button and that the DEIMOS firmware is loaded. |
Hardware
Trigger buttons must be connected to DEIMOS GPIO pins (Arduino Mega 2560):
- GPIO pins: 0–53 (available on Arduino Mega board)
- Connection: Button with internal pull-up (INPUT_PULLUP mode)
- Signal: LOW when pressed, HIGH when released
- Voltage: 5V (standard Arduino)
The pin is checked against the profile of the port's board: see Boards and reserved pins.