Is there any sort of simulation program that will allow me to load up an arduino script and visualize everything on the computer? I'd hate to buy all the stuff needed, then realize I'm in way over my head with this project.
I'm interested in having a kinda complex setup using 6 different SK6812 led strips, each one a different length and adding in a button that will trigger a different pattern to run once.
I'm still pretty new to the arduino and addressable leds. The only experience I have so far is making an Ambilight setup on the back of my tv, which was all done with a precomplied script.
Yes, there are simulators that people use, but not infrequently get into trouble if they expect too much of them - such as emulating something with hardware attached to the Arduino.
I was going to suggest you just get cheap Arduino pieces on eBay but apparently you already have them.
I suggest you go ahead and get the parts (Nanos, not UNOs), and figure out the code later. Your question about "6 different SK6812 led strips, each one a different length and adding in a button that will trigger a different pattern to run once" is frequently asked on the forums here, so you need to do some reading - quite a bit in fact to see all the various answers!
