---
title: "Activity: Rover Van Gogh"
date: "2022-03-29"
categories: ["Activities", "All", "Simulator Activities"]
tags: ["Branching", "Iteration", "Motors", "Maths", "Simulator", "Intermediate"]
excerpt: "Get your art on with the pen attachment!"
featuredImage: "/images/resources/rover-van-gogh.png"
---

** **

Using the pen attachment of the Micromelon Rover, try your hand at using code to create art. You’ll need to program your rover to move with pen-point precision to ensure your artwork is accurate.

![](/images/content/216a76-pen-attachment.png)

Activity Demonstration

**Not Sure What To Draw? Try These**

![](/images/content/882af2-square.png)

Square

![](/images/content/515514-hexagon.png)

Hexagon

![](/images/content/76637f-initials.png)

Your Initials

![](/images/content/ec8d33-duck.png)

A Duck

### Setup

**Download & Print Your Own Pen Attachment**

![](/images/content/0ac648-featured_preview_mm-attachment_spider_holes.png)

#### Pen Attachment 3D File

[**OPEN THINGIVERSE**](https://www.thingiverse.com/micromelonrobotics/designs)

You can 3D print a pen attachment and attach it to your Micromelon Rover. Find the 3D files for the pen attachment and many other attachments on the Micromelon Thingyverse page.

**Use The Pen Attachment In The Simulator**

![](/images/content/bfd8df-pen-attachment-settings.png)

The Micromelon Robot Simulator comes with a range of simulated Rover attachments. You can toggle the simulator rover attachment from the in-activity menu in the top left.

### **How To Program The Pen Attachment**

Once we add the pen attachment to the Rover we are able to control whether the pen point is making contact with the ground by raising it or lowing it with the server blocks.

**Lowering The Pen**

To lower the pen attachment we the servo motor connected to the attachment to -90 degrees. This will move the arm down. If your pen does not make contact with the ground, you should adjust the pen in the pen holder so it does.

**Raising The Pen**

If you do not want to draw you can raise the pen. Set the servo motor connected to the attachment to 0 degrees. This will move the arm up.

![](/images/content/8e4b3d-screen-shot-2022-04-22-at-2.15.47-pm.png)
