Metaboard - Help a beginner get started with v-usb + Arduino

[sumpm1]

Howdy folks.

I am trying to build a Metaboard: https://metalab.at/wiki/Metaboard

I want to use it with the Arduino IDE. I have built the circuit on a breadboard. But I have many questions. I am not experienced with v-usb or AVR. I don't know the first thing about "how to load a bootloader or firmware" onto the Atmega328p. It seems that Stephan is the creator of v-usb and uspasp, and has a cool project with many resources tinyusbboard which I want to check out as well. So it seems that this forum is the best place to ask my questions. But if there is another forum that you think I should go to, please let me know.

So here is what I have, and here is what I want to ask about:

1. I have an Arduino Uno.
2. I have several Atmega328p and Atmega328.
3. I am running Windows8 32 bit.
4. I have built Metaboard sketch on breadboard. http://fritzing.org/media/fritzing-repo ... ard_bb.jpg
5. I want to be able to use the Arduino IDE to load sketches onto the Metaboard directly through usb like it was an Arduino.
6. How do I load the bootloader/firmware onto the Atmega328?
7. Is there a guide that covers the "bootloader/firmware" topic directly? Especially for noobs like me.
8. Can I "load the bootloader/firmware" from within the Arduino IDE?
9. Can I flash the firmware to the Atmega328 using my Arduino Uno board and the Arduino IDE? And then physically move the Atmega328 to the circuit that I built?
10. How can I get Windows to recognize the board as "USBasp" when plugged into the PC?

I hope the nature and wording of my questions highlights how clueless I am on this topic. I feel I am in way over my head. I am not an engineer, just a hobbyist. I would love it if there were a comprehensive guide or tutorial that covered this topic directly. I don't feel like I even understand the process of "flashing the bootloader," I don't even know what that entails. I previously "burned the Uno bootloader" onto all of those Atmega328's that I have using another tutorial.

If you guys can point me in the right direction, I would be very grateful.

Thanks.

[ulao]

Is this what you are doing?
http://www.obdev.at/products/vusb/usbasploader.html



9. Can I flash the firmware to the Atmega328 using my Arduino Uno board and the Arduino IDE? And then physically move the Atmega328 to the circuit that I built?
From what I know, if you program with the Arduino you need to use the Arduino. If you program at chip level ( like most of us ) then you dont need the Ardunio.

[sumpm1]

Is this what you are doing?
http://www.obdev.at/products/vusb/usbasploader.html

Yes. I am trying to load USBAspLoader onto an Atmega328p for the metaboard project linked. But I do not understand at all how to burn the .hex firmware onto the chip. This stuff is very new to me, and I do not have even this basic knowledge.

I am still researching. And from what I understand:

1. I need an ISP programmer.
2. I need the .hex firmware file.
3. I need to use avrdude or some other program like WinAVR to load that .hex file onto the Atmega328.
4. The Arduino can be set up to be used as an ISP. http://arduino.cc/en/Tutorial/ArduinoISP#.UwJBMdRdUgE

I am still grinding away at this. It is a learning process. A 2 hour college course would probably teach me much more than what I am learning because I can't as questions, and most information is tailored for intermediates/experts.

[ulao]

Help is pretty infrequent around here but in time you get some help I'm sure.

1/4) From what I know you will need to let the Arduino do the boot loading ( as you mentioned in 4 ). You should not need an isp but its a nice to have for sure. If you write to the chip with an isp your by passing the Arduino firmware. To write your code you would have to use an Arduino boot loader app. I'm guessing it comes with that or is available. There is a GUI flash tool called FlashTool.exe if Arduino does not have its own.

3) You should not need any of that, as burning to the chip would over right all the Arduino stuff.

2) You do know the "hex file" is your compile code right?

with out that Arduino stuff
[ bootloader : v-usb : your code ] using a USB boot loader
[ v-usb : your code ] burning to the chip from avr studio or avrdude.
With Arduino
[ bootloader : Arduino : v-usb : your code ] using a USB Arduino boot loader