slider_publisher

This packages proposes a slider-based publisher node similar to the joint_state_publisher, but that can publish any message or service.

Many examples are given, especially

• ros2 launch slider_publisher example.launch file:=BasicTypes.yaml for the 4 basic types
• ros2 launch slider_publisher example.launch file:=Twist.yaml for timestamped Twist (cmd_vel)
• ros2 launch slider_publisher example.launch file:=tf.yaml for a TF message
• ros2 launch slider_publisher example.launch file:=VelPose.yaml for 2 topics (Twist + Pose)
• ros2 launch slider_publisher example.launch file:=MultiArray.yaml for a topic with 4 floats
• ros2 launch slider_publisher add_two_ints.launch for a service call (uses demo_nodes_cpp server)

Numerical types can be set either with a slider if min/max values are provided, or with text input.

Array-based messages are also possible (nested arrays are not).

The packages reduces to a single node that has to be called with an argument leading to a YAML file with the following structure (examples corresponding to the VelPose.yaml file):

topic_to_be_published:  
    type: full message or service type    (geometry_msgs/Twist or geometry_msgs/msg/Twist)
    key_as_in_gui:                        (vx, can also be the message field)
        to: corresponding_message_field   (linear.x if not used as the key or not unique field)
        min: slider minimum value         (-1)
        max: slider maximum value         (+1)  
        default: slider default value     (if not: (min+max)/2)
    other_key:  
        ...
other_topic_to_be_published:  
    type...

Hard-coded numeric values (bounds / constant values in messages) can be defined using fractions of pi.

3D rotations (ie quaternions) can be parameterized as roll / pitch / yaw (see RPY.yaml). While these fields are of course not part of a Quaternion message, the corresponding 3D rotation will be built and published.

If the type is a service interface then the corresponding slider will call the service, after waiting for the server.

Parameters

• config (string): this parameter has the same effect as the raw file argument, that is the path to the YAML configuration file
• rate (double): publication rate (0-100 Hz)

Changelog for package slider_publisher

2.4.0 (2024-05-17)

• no need to specify message field if there is only one
• Contributors: Olivier Kermorgant

2.3.1 (2023-12-16)

• typo in readme
• Contributors: Olivier Kermorgant

2.3.0 (2023-12-16)

• text input
• remove dependency on numpy/scipy, use basic math to handle Quaternions
• can publish arrays of any type
• add rate in example
• Contributors: Olivier Kermorgant

2.2.1 (2022-09-24)

• remove py extension, fix rate default value
• switch to CMake to avoid deprecation messages
• Contributors: Olivier Kermorgant

2.2.0 (2022-09-21)

• add python3-scipy and numpy dependencies
• rate and config parameters
• Contributors: Olivier Kermorgant

2.1.1 (2022-05-03)

• underscores in setup.cfg
• Contributors: Olivier Kermorgant

2.1.0 (2022-03-18)

• do not re-call service if request has not changed
• example Twist defaults to 0 velocity
• Contributors: Olivier Kermorgant

2.0.1 (2021-08-19)

• bug in type detection for roll pitch yaw
• Contributors: Olivier Kermorgant

2.0.0 (2021-08-18)

• add service and detects value type (float / int / bool)
• can pick default value
• Contributors: Olivier Kermorgant

1.0.2 (2021-04-18)

• README typo
• Contributors: Olivier Kermorgant

1.0.0 (2020-06)

• ROS 2 branch

0.1.1 (2017-11-23)

• title is now node name
• Twist without default
• velocity -> twist
• Update README.md
• topic paths
• without python setup as its only an executable
• now displays topics in GUI
• works for arrays of float
• default timestamp if in message header
• more README
• initial commit
• Contributors: Olivier Kermorgant