Now that I think about it, you were probably talking about the side experiment, more than mine.
If so, how does the code speed and overhead compare? I'm interested in a side by side comparison.
That may be the case.
However, I enjoy doing tricks using about analog circuits.
Also, it is made of almost free parts that are obtain from the floor of my room. 
The LED with a built-in controller like WS2812B doesn't need to do anything after indicating the color once, so there is no code execution when continuous static color lighting.
It need execute codes only for a moment when changing the color.
When a single LED, the data transfer is completed in very quickly, so there is almost no delay that is a problem even with GPIO operation by the CPU(a.k.a. blocking code).
Excellent, so they are both fun and useful options.
I had the same thought (just use a WS2712 and be done!) whilst out in my bicycle during a section where less attention to the road is required…
Did not remember appreciate that y’all are hijacking an existing output, nice.
On the other hand, mini -MEGAs are cheap and so cute. 
a7
Yup, I think it's a good idea to use smart LEDs for indicator lamps.
It brings various effects and productions.
For example, it turns yellow when the battery is low, when it's can to shut down, it displays a red heartbeat effect instead of static red...
But OP seems to be using ESP32CAM?
That has few free GPIOs.
I do need a battery level indicator
The final project will have:
- A mega to control the 4 motors, the azimuth servo, the gyroscope, and the mp3 functions, with loads of expandability for later models with things like nerf guns
- An ESP32-Cam for the camera feature also to act as the communications hub, and controls the light sensor and piezo horn.
- To another ESP32, not Cam so lots more pins, that is connected to a PS2 controller by SPI and a 320X240 display
The mega will be controlling the PSU.
The aim for conservation of pins is an effort to make the most reusable design possible that leaves as many pins available as possible. However, I do want to present some different flavors for different applications so all the great ideas shown here have a place.
The single button option allows me to do some cool sound effects with the car startup and engine noise, but that can be turned off by a volume knob or get stopped by an unforeseen event so to me this switching indicator is most valuable as it works simply because it must by design, presumably.
It's not a bad idea to have one pin of Mega occupied by an smart indicator, as it can also be used to indicate battery level and any machine status.
Of course, it's even better to remember the some methods that have appeared here.
Every experience and knowledge has the potential to help you at any time.
Yup, every thing here is going into my catalog of circuits I understand and can build and use. I'm also considering a software solution for cataloging them by different aspects, but that's a down the road idea.
For me "the road" is way longer than I'm ever gonna travel… I have not done about 20 things for every one I have.
I could keep so many of my selves busy it hurts.
a7
The LED rope that skirts my car came with too many LEDs so I cut the end off and each time I make one I'll have 16 spare WS2812Bs. I can easily cut one of those loose and use it for the indicator.
There's even room on my expansion shield for it.
Tell me about it, my Jeep is on that list along with many other things.
I can't sit still though so my to-do list must naturally always be greater than my done-did-it list. I try to judge myself on things done, rather than undone. I like to drive through the town I grew up in and see all the buildings that I designed and I rarely think of the projects that fell by the wayside. I also take great joy in seeing what programs my students produce. You can add one more student to your done-did-it list, given all the help and guidance you've provided me.
If you're accept to buy a new one, a smaller package for better sizes to indicator lamp is also available.
The PL9823-F5 and WS2812-2020 is good products.
I hand no idea the WS2812-2020 existed. It's so tiny!
Given my use of a lot of through-hole stuff that looks like the clear winner.
I see two variants 5ma and 12ma. This is the power consumption rating and is semi proportional to brightness?
Either way they are 10 or 11 cents in a 100 pack on a slow boat, so a great price.
Given the shipping delay that will be for later projects though.
Almost so that.
See the datasheet for more details.
WS2812B-2020 [typ. 12mA]
http://www.world-semi.com/DownLoadFile/140
WS2812C-2020 [typ. 5mA]
http://www.world-semi.com/DownLoadFile/139
EDIT:
If you can't reach the file by click, please copy address and paste it to address bar on browser.
The increase in green is ok, but it's already the brightest color.
Doubling blue's intensity is very nice.
I wish that red came up though, it always seems to be the dimmest.
I think for indicators that the 5ma is the way to go.
I will go to bed after posting this.
If you are confident in soldering, so order SK6805-EJ.
It comes in a 1.5mm package. 
Half joking
1 Like
If you have a common-cathode three-color LED, can you connect the cathode to the digital pin and then connect each anode to either ground or VCC (with a resistor in series)? That would remove the need for any other components.
Here's the schematic in glorious ASCII art:
VCC
|
<
<
<
_|_
\ /
v
---
|
pin >--------+
|
---
^
/_\
|
<
<
<
|
GND
(I'm assuming the LEDs are relatively low power and don't require more than VCC, which should be a safe assumption because you said they are indicator LEDs which generally don't require much power or voltages higher than 3.3V.)
VCC
|
<
<
<
_|_
\ /
v
---
|
pin >--------+
|
---
^
/_\
|
<
<
<
|
GND
How does the bottom LED turn on ?
That's a melon scratcher. I've been chewing on it for a bit myself.