Beautiful FastLED NeoPixel ring-LED strip projects - 2022

NeoPixels and FastLEDs are agreat way of creating beautiful projects for various applications. It can be a frame for a great table or a roof. Beautiful rings or some decor as well.

NeoPixel LEDs and FastLEDs are addressable LEDs which has made the hardware setup very simple and sound.

FastLEDs have only three connections

• Power supply
• Data line
• Ground

The Power supply supplies 5 V or 12 V depending on the parts.

In simple terms, the Arduino will send out the values of RGB for each LEDs serially over one line. If there are 2 LEDs, the Arduino will send the data of first LED (RGB) and then sends the data of the second LED (RGB).

For a series on connected n LEDs, the data would like something like this:

R1G1B1-R2G2B2-R3G3B3-......RnGnBn

Once this data passes through the first LED, the output from the first LED to the second LED looks like this:

R2G2B2-R3G3B3-....RnGnBn

The same thing happens with every LED in series and the final LED will only receive RnGnBn.

Let us now have a look at wokwi Arduino simulator to simulate NeoPixels and FastLEDs

Quick link for an example: https://wokwi.com/arduino/libraries/FastLED

Let us begin "Hello World":

FastLED and Wokwi Arduino project 1: Blink

Project link on wokwi Arduino simulator: https://wokwi.com/arduino/libraries/FastLED/Blink

snapshots:

The blink example should be equivalent to hello world example in the C program. Only the point to be taken care is the right pin number of Arduino. Which acts like a data pin (Pin number 3 in this example). by easily modifying the code, you can make the colour to blink Green or Blue. Can you try? you can start from here.

The one-dimensional array - "ColorPalette":

FastLED and Wokwi Arduino project 2: ColorPalette

Project link: https://wokwi.com/arduino/libraries/FastLED/ColorPalette

snapshots:

Colorpalette is the Hello world of FastLED family. This beautiful code creates a mesmerising view. You can easily change the number of LEDs as well as the Arduino DataPin to which the LED is connected. Also, take care of the power wattage of the LEDs. Arduino will not be able to supply huge currents. It is always advised to use separate 5 V adapter for the LED power supply. Make sure to keep the ground of the 5 V power supply and ground of the Arduino Common. Vary the delay or number of LEDs, get creative and create your own version of this project here.

Let us see 2D FastLED matrix - "Cylon":

FastLED and Wokwi Arduino project 3: "Cylon"

Project link on wokwi Arduino simulator: https://wokwi.com/arduino/libraries/FastLED/Cylon

snapshots:

Cylon is a first example of the 2D matrix on Wokwi Arduino simulator. It brings the user the ability to display complex patterns and also interesting GIFs and notice board style projects. To edit the size of the matrix, head to the diagram.json file in the project. The number of LEDs will be equal to the product of the number of rows and number of columns in the panel. Can you make it to display a moving dot?

Digital Rain FastLED project on Wokwi Arduino simulator:

FastLED and Wokwi Arduino project 4: "DigitalRain"

Project link on wokwi Arduino simulator: https://wokwi.com/arduino/libraries/FastLED/DigitalRain

snapshots:

For this project and all others, the original author information is retained in the code. Please feel free to play with the simulation and create your own version of digital rain!

Fire2012 FastLED project on Wokwi Arduino simulator:

FastLED and Wokwi Arduino project 5: "Fire2012"

Project link on wokwi Arduino simulator: https://wokwi.com/arduino/libraries/FastLED/Fire2012

LED Face FastLED project on Wokwi Arduino simulator:

FastLED and Wokwi Arduino project 6: "LEDFace"

Project link on wokwi Arduino simulator: https://wokwi.com/arduino/libraries/FastLED/LEDFace

snapshot:

MetaBalls FastLED project on Wokwi Arduino simulator:

FastLED and Wokwi Arduino project 7: "MetaBalls"

Project link on wokwi Arduino simulator: https://wokwi.com/arduino/libraries/FastLED/Metaballs

snapshot:

XY Matrix FastLED project on Wokwi Arduino simulator:

FastLED and Wokwi Arduino project 8: "XYMatrix"

Project link on wokwi Arduino simulator: https://wokwi.com/arduino/libraries/FastLED/XYMatrix

Please feel free to join Wokwi for discussions and new updates about Arduino simulators and you can suggest :)

References:

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