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[on:]

This is my first post in a forum (took me a while to figure out how)
and my first project I would like to attempt

If there is a simpler project you feel I should attempt first let me know, I am here to learn and give back.

I own an Arduino Uno (r3) & a small pile of LEDs

I did the blink program, it was fun. I played with the timing and such but its time to step it up.

3x3x3 LED cube! I understand this has been done over and over again but in all my poking around this world wide web I can't find plans that I am confident will work with this particular Arduino device.

This post also makes me second guess myself in that if I 'need plans' I really shouldn't be messing with Arduino, I feel like I will just be mooching off the creativity and hard work of others.

Also please include tips for this forum etiquette (i r n00b)

[Reply #1 on:]

Well SparkFun sells a 3x3x3 RGB led cube kit. They publish the schematic and arduino code so you could borrow from their publications what you wish or spring for the complete kit.
https://www.sparkfun.com/products/9867

Here is another published plan for single color led cube:
http://makeprojects.com/Project/3x3x3+LED+Cube+Arduino+Shield/2021/1#.UKHA6OQ0WSo

Lefty

[Reply #2 on:]

Just follow the plans and you should be able to make something interesting.  Don't forget that only pin 13 on the arduino has a built in resistor, so you need to grab a resistor for each LED.

[Reply #3 on:]

retrolefty,
Thank you for the direction, www.sparkfun.com looks like a great resource. (RGB LEDs seems a little intense)
However, the www.makeprojects.com shield seems to have no transistors and I think the Uno having only 14 Digital In/Outputs


arduinocreativity,

Thank you, I was wondering why none of my LEDs worked and all smelled funny (jk). Much appreciated pointer.

*+What I am looking for is a 'vanilla' 3x3x3 cube, my LEDs are blue I don't know how much the difference in current draw will affect the circuit beside different resistors for the LEDs

[Reply #4 on:]

Don't forget that only pin 13 on the arduino has a built in resistor, so you need to grab a resistor for each LED.

You're implying that there is a resistor in series with output pin 13, which I don't think is the case. (The onboard LED is connected to pin 13 via a series resistor, but that is in parallel with anything you connect to pin 13 and does not mean you can connect an external LED directly to the pin.)

[Reply #5 on:]

If you haven't already look at blink without delay. Yo'll need this when you want to add external buttons to make the cube change the patten its flashing.

Mark

[Reply #6 on:]

I think the Uno having only 14 Digital In/Outputs

Analog pins can be used as digital pins as well, and there are plenty of ways to drive a number of LEDs with less than the same number of pins.