Serial from Vixen to SK6912 RGBW

[trumpy127]

Ok, Vixen is running the sequence and the LEDs are lighting, however, instead of all white LEDs lighting, I am seeing all bright blue with the white LEDs on but at low intensity... Thoughts?

[trumpy127]

@Deva_Rishi

 pixels.clear();  // clear the buffer (optional)
    do {
      byte r, g, b, w;
      while (!Serial.available());
      r = Serial.read();
      while (!Serial.available());
      g = Serial.read();
      while (!Serial.available());
      b = Serial.read();
      while (!Serial.available());
      b = Serial.read();
      pixels.setPixelColor(cnt++, pixels.Color(r, g, b, w));
    }

I found it.... in the code the last pixel color assignment was labeled "b" instead of "w"... easy fix.... it is working now. Thanks!!!!

[Deva_Rishi]

@trumpy127

b" instead of "w"... easy fix...

oh a typo hehe it happens.

[trumpy127]

A very small cut and paste error is small price to pay and well worth the assistance…. I’ve been struggling with this for quite some time, between trying to find the original parts to repair the previous box, to making the jump to LEDs and struggling with the Sk6812 issue and folks on some forums that only tell you how wrong your approach is or etc….you guys are really the first group that has been truly helpful…. Much appreciated and I will be sure to credit you Deva_Rishi, when I get this fully completed! You were awesome! Happy Thanksgiving!

[Deva_Rishi]

@trumpy127

and folks on some forums that only tell you how wrong your approach is or etc….

I did mention that i would write it a bit differently, but once i understood what the need for Vixen was, and you had a working RGB version, it made sense to do the library switch for you and figure out how the original sketch was setup, seemed easier than trying to create something from scratch.

Vixen is not a program that i have ever used, but i did look into it a long time ago. The people i work with use professional VJ programs but those aren't free. Usually something standalone is more practical for something in a home setup, but once it has to be synchronized to music, standalone is hardly an option anymore. I am happy i was helpful

@trumpy127

.you guys are really the first group that has been truly helpful….

People can be a bit edgy here as well, and that does not exclude me.

@Deva_Rishi

I think if you compare the examples from both libraries and the sketch you are using now, you should manage, otherwise this project is beyond you to begin with.

That statement is an example. Mind you it has something to do with the odd structure of your sketch, which i suspect you didn't write yourself, nor did ChatGPT. Normally speaking we are not here to do the work for you but to help you achieve your goals. That does not mean however that we are here to write code for people who make not much effort themselves, or do someone's homework. That i did have ago this time was more for the sake of speed resolution, where the whole Vixen story was much more work to understand and explain the resulting code. This left time for me to explain this part to you.

@trumpy127

when I get this fully completed!

As stated a few times, the code is not pretty, blocking in nature, but if that is the only thing that is running on the arduino, who cares as long as it works ! the people looking at the lights don't see the code
If it becomes a part of a much larger program, then some cleaning up and making it more neat is recommended.

[trumpy127]

You are correct in your assumption that I did not write the sketch. I was given it from the only other person that kind of tried to help. Originally I went down this path out of desperation and the fact that many YouTube videos make the arduino part seem like an obvious thing. My intention was to get help through the Vixen support community as they have some tutorials and supposedly a very friendly community willing to help newbs learn, and that is probably true. The problem I ran into is that I live and work in Guam. Everytime I created an account in their community, I was able to look through posts once or post one message and then my account was immediately banned due to my IP address. I tried different ISPs, I tried my VPN, every time banned on the first logout or post. I started trying to read through arduino tutorials I could find and looked up lots of stuff on C and C+ but I am/was running out of time fast. This kind of stuff is really not my thing…I have done a few things with PLC programming but that is completely different. Again I appreciate your help and your time. Honestly, I would compensate you if I knew I could actually get it to you….it means that much. Thanks Again!

[Deva_Rishi]

@trumpy127

Honestly, I would compensate you if I knew I could actually get it to you…

No need i am not here in business.

@trumpy127

I started trying to read through arduino tutorials I could find and looked up lots of stuff on C and C+ but I am/was running out of time fast. This kind of stuff is really not my thing…I have done a few things with PLC programming but that is completely different.

Maybe as a Christmas gift to yourself get one of the 'for dummies' series on arduino and C++, though if it's really not your thing...

@trumpy127

My intention was to get help through the Vixen support community as they have some tutorials and supposedly a very friendly community willing to help newbs learn,

I was just looking for the documentation of how the Serial output is actually formatted, but i couldn't quickly find it.

You're welcome