Hi–
Is painting robot C-Chanel, standoff black color allowed at all? and if so what type of paint do you recommend?
Thanks
CJ
Read Game Manual - it does go into what is permitted for decorations and not permitted.
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I read the rules 10 times.
Is black permitted did you know? there is always some black color in the game elements, like the net. But not the game objects like triballs and endgame bars.
So Game Manual indicates what is permitted on robots and what is prohibited. So let’s look at
<R8>: Decorations are allowed. Teams may add non-functional decorations, provided that they do not affect Robot performance in any significant way or affect the outcome of the Match. These decorations must be in the spirit of the competition. Inspectors will have final say in what is considered “non-functional.” Unless otherwise specified below, non-functional decorations are governed by all standard Robot rules.
To be considered “non-functional,” any guards, decals, or other decorations must be backed by legal materials that provide the same functionality. For example, if a Robot has a giant decal that prevents Triballs from falling out of the Robot, the decal must be backed by VEX material that would also prevent the Triballs from falling out. A simple way to check this is to determine if removing the decoration would impact the performance of the Robot in any way.
a. Anodizing and painting of parts is considered a legal nonfunctional decoration.
b. Small cameras are permitted as non-functional decorations, provided that any transmitting functions or wireless communications are disabled. Unusually large cameras being used as ballast are not permitted.
c. VEX electronics may not be used as non-functional decorations.
d. Decorations that visually mimic Field Elements, or could otherwise interfere with an opponent’s Vision Sensor, are considered functional and are not permitted. The Inspector and Head Referee will make the final decision on whether a given decoration or mechanism violates this rule.
Focus on point d - does your using black paint alone mimic Field Elements? Interfere with Vision Sensor?
Now what do you think?
I think that it is up to the head referee to make the call. It is not black and white answer
As GDC has said - do not over think … so
are you mimicking field elements? e.g. does your rectangular c-channel look like a tubular black bar?
You can not be responsible for teams opting to use vision sensor to not know difference.
There is nothing in rules to say you can not have black, blue, red, green, … only if you are intentionally mimicking a field element.
In parallel, there is no prohibition of event lighting interfering with Vision Sensor.
Life happens - so teams should not be overly reliant of field conditions to determine the outcome of a match.
I’ve been on both sides of the discussion - end of the day, have back up for your strategy to work even if x, y, and z fail…
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if you are in this situation - ask explicitly to head referee - “how does my rectangular c-channel mimic a tubular field element? or is it a lighting condition that the opposing alliance relied upon when programming their vision sensor?”
Come to the field informed. For coders, a lot of work to do and document.
That said, if you have a BIG GREEN TRIBALL DECAL on your robot - yeah, that is an example of mimic of field element…
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