Exploring code for WS2812 matrix panels

Projects Programming
1

Brief intro:
I am a base level newbe. MFA in sculpture. 66 years old

I just got an Arduino uno, an external 5V power box & a 16X16 WS2812 matrix.
It is all hooked up and currently picking apart code that I have found in various led libraries.

What I need and can't find:
Is code that will light all 256 leds , then transition through all the colors.
At this point I am not interested in animation but just controlling color.

Anyone else out there with interest in color research and leds?

The tutorials I have found are beyond my current newbeness .

I have learned a little by changing values in code to see what happens.

For other newbes in the same boat:

Below is one I have played with and annotated // with descriptions of what the code seems to mean.

#include "FastLED.h"

// How many leds in your strip?
#define NUM_LEDS 255

#define DATA_PIN 6
// pin6 is where wire from led matrix is pluged

CRGB leds[NUM_LEDS];

void setup() {

FastLED.addLeds<WS2812, DATA_PIN, RGB>(leds, NUM_LEDS);

}

void loop() {
for(int i=0; i<NUM_LEDS; i++){
// i=0 means the loop starts at led position 0
// i++ starts the run from 0 to 255. Without the ++ only the first led lights
leds = CHSV(100, 255, 128);

  • // Color of the running dot (Hue color,Saturation richness,Value brightness)*
  • FastLED.show();*
  • // Adding a number, or adding i or i++ in the brackets above causes blinking and slight color change*
  • delay(50);*
  • // Delay,time between change*
    _ leds = CHSV(100,255,100);_
    * // (Hue color,Saturation richness,Value brightness)*

* FastLED.show();*
* }*
}

2

Interesting video with link to tyler jones' Matrix Control Software program

3

OK got it

#include <FastLED.h>
#define NUM_LEDS 255

CRGBArray<NUM_LEDS> leds;

void setup() { FastLED.addLeds<NEOPIXEL,6>(leds, NUM_LEDS); }

void loop(){
static uint8_t hue;
for(int i = 0; i < NUM_LEDS/1; i++) {
// fade everything out
leds.fadeToBlackBy(0);

// let's set an led value
leds = CHSV(hue++,255,155);

// now, let's first 20 leds to the top 20 leds,
leds(NUM_LEDS/2,NUM_LEDS-1);
FastLED.delay(100);
}