4x4x4 Led Cube light problem

Hello, this is my first time posting and I don't know much about Arduino because I am doing this because of a school project. But yeah, I'm building a 4x4x4 led cube, and I built it and wired it correctly, but when I uploaded my (partly self-written) code, some of the LED's just keep on (very randomly spread) and some are very dimmed when turned on. I can see the patterns though, but it is not beautiful and it's not in the way I want it. I am using a Arduino Uno and a MacBook Air to program. I hope someone can help me and thanks in advance!
This is my code (it's not my full code, but otherwise it wouldn't fit (because I don't know how to do it otherwise)):

#include <avr/pgmspace.h> // allows use of PROGMEM to store patterns in flash

#define CUBESIZE 4
#define PLANESIZE CUBESIZE*CUBESIZE
#define PLANETIME 100 // time each plane is displayed in us -> 100 Hz refresh
#define TIMECONST 20 // multiplies DisplayTime to get ms - why not =100?

// LED Pattern Table in PROGMEM - last column is display time in 100ms units
// TODO this could be a lot more compact but not with binary pattern representation
const char PROGMEM PatternTable[] = {

//1 //2 //3 //4 //5 //6 //7 //8 //9 //10 //11 //12 //13 //14 //15 //16 //row numbers, very useful
B0000,B0000,B0000,B0000,B0000,B0000,B0000,B0000,B0000,B0000,B0000,B0000,B0000,B0000,B0000,B0000,10,//empty set

B0000,B0000,B0000,B0000,B0000,B0000,B0000,B0000,B0000,B0000,B0000,B0000,B0000,B0000,B0000,B0000,100,
B1111,B1111,B1111,B1111,B1111,B1111,B1111,B1111,B1111,B1111,B1111,B1111,B1111,B1111,B1111,B1111,100,
B0000,B0000,B0000,B0000,B0000,B0000,B0000,B0000,B0000,B0000,B0000,B0000,B0000,B0000,B0000,B0000,100,
B1111,B1111,B1111,B1111,B1111,B1111,B1111,B1111,B1111,B1111,B1111,B1111,B1111,B1111,B1111,B1111,100,
B0000,B0000,B0000,B0000,B0000,B0000,B0000,B0000,B0000,B0000,B0000,B0000,B0000,B0000,B0000,B0000,100,
B1111,B1111,B1111,B1111,B1111,B1111,B1111,B1111,B1111,B1111,B1111,B1111,B1111,B1111,B1111,B1111,100,

// Aan en uit:
B0000,B0000,B0000,B0000,B0000,B0000,B0000,B0000,B0000,B0000,B0000,B0000,B0000,B0000,B0000,B0000,50,
B1111,B1111,B1111,B1111,B1111,B1111,B1111,B1111,B1111,B1111,B1111,B1111,B1111,B1111,B1111,B1111,20,
B0000,B0000,B0000,B0000,B0000,B0000,B0000,B0000,B0000,B0000,B0000,B0000,B0000,B0000,B0000,B0000,20,
B1111,B1111,B1111,B1111,B1111,B1111,B1111,B1111,B1111,B1111,B1111,B1111,B1111,B1111,B1111,B1111,20,
B0000,B0000,B0000,B0000,B0000,B0000,B0000,B0000,B0000,B0000,B0000,B0000,B0000,B0000,B0000,B0000,10,
B1111,B1111,B1111,B1111,B1111,B1111,B1111,B1111,B1111,B1111,B1111,B1111,B1111,B1111,B1111,B1111,10,

B0000, B0000, B0000, B0000, B0000, B0000, B0000, B0000, B0000, B0000, B0000, B0000, B0000, B0000, B0000, B0000, 0
};

/*
** Defining pins in array makes it easier to rearrange how cube is wired
** Adjust numbers here until LEDs flash in order - L to R, T to B
** Note that analog inputs 0-5 are also digital outputs 14-19!
** Pin DigitalOut0 (serial RX) and AnalogIn5 are left open for future apps
*/

int LEDPin[] = {0, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, A4, A5};
int PlanePin[] = {A0, A1, A2, A3};

// initialization
void setup()
{
int pin; // loop counter
// set up LED pins as output (active HIGH)
for (pin=0; pin<PLANESIZE; pin++) {
pinMode( LEDPin[pin], OUTPUT );
}
// set up plane pins as outputs (active LOW)
for (pin=0; pin<CUBESIZE; pin++) {
pinMode( PlanePin[pin], OUTPUT );
}
}

// display pattern in table until DisplayTime is zero (then repeat)
void loop()
{
// declare variables
byte PatternBuf[PLANESIZE]; // saves current pattern from PatternTable
int PatternIdx;
byte DisplayTime; // time*100ms to display pattern
unsigned long EndTime;
int plane; // loop counter for cube refresh
int patbufidx; // indexes which byte from pattern buffer
int ledrow; // counts LEDs in refresh loop
int ledcol; // counts LEDs in refresh loop
int ledpin; // counts LEDs in refresh loop

// Initialize PatternIdx to beginning of pattern table
PatternIdx = 0;
// loop over entries in pattern table - while DisplayTime>0
do {
// read pattern from PROGMEM and save in array
memcpy_P( PatternBuf, PatternTable+PatternIdx, PLANESIZE );
PatternIdx += PLANESIZE;
// read DisplayTime from PROGMEM and increment index
DisplayTime = pgm_read_byte_near( PatternTable + PatternIdx++ );
// compute EndTime from current time (ms) and DisplayTime
EndTime = millis() + ((unsigned long) DisplayTime) * TIMECONST;

// loop while DisplayTime>0 and current time < EndTime
while ( millis() < EndTime ) {
patbufidx = 0; // reset index counter to beginning of buffer
// loop over planes
for (plane=0; plane<CUBESIZE; plane++) {
// turn previous plane off
if (plane==0) {
digitalWrite( PlanePin[CUBESIZE-1], HIGH );
} else {
digitalWrite( PlanePin[plane-1], HIGH );
}

// load current plane pattern data into ports
ledpin = 0;
for (ledrow=0; ledrow<CUBESIZE; ledrow++) {
for (ledcol=0; ledcol<CUBESIZE; ledcol++) {
digitalWrite( LEDPin[ledpin++], PatternBuf[patbufidx] & (1 << ledcol) );
}
patbufidx++;
}

// turn current plane on
digitalWrite( PlanePin[plane], LOW );
// delay PLANETIME us
delayMicroseconds( PLANETIME );
} // for plane
} // while <EndTime
} while (DisplayTime > 0); // read patterns until time=0 which signals end
}

open Arduino IDE and open the sketch.
Use the Arduino IDE to format the sketch for the forums
Use the Arduino IDE to copy the sketch for posting to the forums.

post to the forums using the proper code tags.

post a link to the project of building the 4x4x4 LED Cube.
How are you powering the Cube?
What type of LED did you use to build the Cube?
Do you have a pencil and paper wiring diagram of the Cube?
Can you post a photograph of the Cube?

Hi and welcome to the forum.

We would love to help. But first please go read the forum guidelines and fix your post above.

Paul

I will do this properly now:
Hello, this is my first time posting and I don't know much about Arduino because I am doing this for a school project. But I'm building a 4x4x4 led cube, and I built it and wired it correctly, but when I uploaded my (partly self-written) code, some of the LED's just keep on (very randomly spread) and some are very dimmed when turned on. I can see the patterns though, but it is not beautiful and it is not the way I want it. I am using a Arduino Uno and a MacBook Air to program. The Arduino Uno is powered by a USB-cable in my MacBook Air. I do not know what type of LED I am using, because I got those from school, but they are only red-colored. Images of the LED-cube:
The wires connected to the front are the rows and the wires to the side are the 4 columns.
I hope someone can help me and thanks in advance!
This is my code (I deleted a bit of the 'B000' because otherwise my message would be too long):

#include <avr/pgmspace.h> // allows use of PROGMEM to store patterns in flash

#define CUBESIZE 4
#define PLANESIZE CUBESIZE*CUBESIZE
#define PLANETIME 100 // time each plane is displayed in us -> 100 Hz refresh
#define TIMECONST 20 // multiplies DisplayTime to get ms - why not =100?

// LED Pattern Table in PROGMEM - last column is display time in 100ms units
// TODO this could be a lot more compact but not with binary pattern representation
const char PROGMEM PatternTable[] = {

//1   //2   //3   //4   //5   //6   //7   //8   //9   //10  //11  //12  //13  //14  //15  //16     //row numbers, very useful
B0000,B0000,B0000,B0000,B0000,B0000,B0000,B0000,B0000,B0000,B0000,B0000,B0000,B0000,B0000,B0000,10,//empty set 

B0000,B0000,B0000,B0000,B0000,B0000,B0000,B0000,B0000,B0000,B0000,B0000,B0000,B0000,B0000,B0000,100,
B1111,B1111,B1111,B1111,B1111,B1111,B1111,B1111,B1111,B1111,B1111,B1111,B1111,B1111,B1111,B1111,100,
B0000,B0000,B0000,B0000,B0000,B0000,B0000,B0000,B0000,B0000,B0000,B0000,B0000,B0000,B0000,B0000,100,
B1111,B1111,B1111,B1111,B1111,B1111,B1111,B1111,B1111,B1111,B1111,B1111,B1111,B1111,B1111,B1111,100,
B0000,B0000,B0000,B0000,B0000,B0000,B0000,B0000,B0000,B0000,B0000,B0000,B0000,B0000,B0000,B0000,100,
B1111,B1111,B1111,B1111,B1111,B1111,B1111,B1111,B1111,B1111,B1111,B1111,B1111,B1111,B1111,B1111,100,



B0000,B0000,B0000,B0000,B0000,B0000,B0000,B0000,B0000,B0000,B0000,B0000,B0000,B0000,B0000,B0000,50,
B1111,B1111,B1111,B1111,B1111,B1111,B1111,B1111,B1111,B1111,B1111,B1111,B1111,B1111,B1111,B1111,20,
B0000,B0000,B0000,B0000,B0000,B0000,B0000,B0000,B0000,B0000,B0000,B0000,B0000,B0000,B0000,B0000,20,
B1111,B1111,B1111,B1111,B1111,B1111,B1111,B1111,B1111,B1111,B1111,B1111,B1111,B1111,B1111,B1111,20,
B0000,B0000,B0000,B0000,B0000,B0000,B0000,B0000,B0000,B0000,B0000,B0000,B0000,B0000,B0000,B0000,10,
B1111,B1111,B1111,B1111,B1111,B1111,B1111,B1111,B1111,B1111,B1111,B1111,B1111,B1111,B1111,B1111,10,




B0000, B0000, B0000, B0000, B0000, B0000, B0000, B0000, B0000, B0000, B0000, B0000, B0000, B0000, B0000, B0000, 0
};

/*
** Defining pins in array makes it easier to rearrange how cube is wired
** Adjust numbers here until LEDs flash in order - L to R, T to B
** Note that analog inputs 0-5 are also digital outputs 14-19!
** Pin DigitalOut0 (serial RX) and AnalogIn5 are left open for future apps
*/

int LEDPin[] = {0, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, A4, A5};
int PlanePin[] = {A0, A1, A2, A3};

// initialization
void setup()
{
int pin; // loop counter
// set up LED pins as output (active HIGH)
for (pin=0; pin<PLANESIZE; pin++) {
pinMode( LEDPin[pin], OUTPUT );
}
// set up plane pins as outputs (active LOW)
for (pin=0; pin<CUBESIZE; pin++) {
pinMode( PlanePin[pin], OUTPUT );
}
}

// display pattern in table until DisplayTime is zero (then repeat)
void loop()
{
// declare variables
byte PatternBuf[PLANESIZE]; // saves current pattern from PatternTable
int PatternIdx;
byte DisplayTime; // time*100ms to display pattern
unsigned long EndTime;
int plane; // loop counter for cube refresh
int patbufidx; // indexes which byte from pattern buffer
int ledrow; // counts LEDs in refresh loop
int ledcol; // counts LEDs in refresh loop
int ledpin; // counts LEDs in refresh loop

// Initialize PatternIdx to beginning of pattern table
PatternIdx = 0;
// loop over entries in pattern table - while DisplayTime>0
do {
// read pattern from PROGMEM and save in array
memcpy_P( PatternBuf, PatternTable+PatternIdx, PLANESIZE );
PatternIdx += PLANESIZE;
// read DisplayTime from PROGMEM and increment index
DisplayTime = pgm_read_byte_near( PatternTable + PatternIdx++ );
// compute EndTime from current time (ms) and DisplayTime
EndTime = millis() + ((unsigned long) DisplayTime) * TIMECONST;

// loop while DisplayTime>0 and current time < EndTime
while ( millis() < EndTime ) {
patbufidx = 0; // reset index counter to beginning of buffer
// loop over planes
for (plane=0; plane<CUBESIZE; plane++) {
// turn previous plane off
if (plane==0) {
digitalWrite( PlanePin[CUBESIZE-1], HIGH );
} else {
digitalWrite( PlanePin[plane-1], HIGH );
}

// load current plane pattern data into ports
ledpin = 0;
for (ledrow=0; ledrow<CUBESIZE; ledrow++) {
for (ledcol=0; ledcol<CUBESIZE; ledcol++) {
digitalWrite( LEDPin[ledpin++], PatternBuf[patbufidx] & (1 << ledcol) );
}
patbufidx++;
}

// turn current plane on
digitalWrite( PlanePin[plane], LOW );
// delay PLANETIME us
delayMicroseconds( PLANETIME );
} // for plane
} // while <EndTime
} while (DisplayTime > 0); // read patterns until time=0 which signals end
}

I just found the link were I got my ''blank show'' from, so I just had to enter the 'B0000' et cetera to make it work:

I found the solution! It is not my code that is wrong, but somewhere there is a fracture and I will have to find it with a Voltmeter!

I'm building a 4x4x4 led cube, and I built it and wired it correctly,

somewhere there is a fracture

In electronics, as in other areas of life, we blind ourselves with our self confidence. We've all done it. Congratulations for finding the problem yourself.

I will do this properly now:

For the next time you need help, I should warn you: You got one one thing right. You used code tags. For all the other things you got wrong, you did not correct those at all. Please read the forum sticky post to find out what those other things are.