Category: Personal

PTS Explorer

Key Technologies: Bootstrap (HTML/CSS), JavaScript, JSON, and AR QuickLook

PTS Explorer is a quick way to find instagram photos of a given PTS (paint to sample) color. A few months ago I noticed there were many Instagram accounts centered around PTS colors – this worked well to see many examples of different colors, but what if you didn’t know all the colors, or wanted to see many examples of a certain color?

These questions prompted me to create PTS Explorer.

Responsive layout using Bootstrap. Tap image for larger view.
Filter colors by name. Tap image for larger view.
Filter colors by hue. Tap image for larger view.
View instagram photos tagged with color. Tap image for larger view.
Example 2. Tap image for larger view.
On iOS12 via Mobile Safari preview colors in AR QuickLook.
Use photoshop scripting to quickly generate swatches from JSON data file.

https://www.ptsexplorer.com

Command for Mac

Key Technologies: RS-232, Hex, and Cocoa (Mac)

Command for Mac is a [native] application I built to run DCC trains on my office layout. It works by using the USB Interface for Power Cab to bridge the gap from the computer to the NCE cab bus. The application uses the RS-232 serial interface to send hex commands to control the locomotives.

The application’s main interface can be accessed from the OS menu bar, this interface allows you to open the manage the connection, add/remove trains, and create new throttles.

Want to develop your own application? Hex command documentation can be found here.

Menu Bar Application. Tap image for larger view.
Manage Trains Window. Tap image for larger view.
Single Throttle. Tap image for larger view.
Multiple Throttles. Tap image for larger view.