Switch between color/brightness with rotary encoder for Nano (RGB LED Strip)

Projects General Guidance
1

Hello all,
I am new to this form so thanks for any input you may be able to give to a noobie.
I am having a little bit of trouble with the code that would be required to switch between controlling color and controlling brightness with a rotary encoder. I am using the click button on the encoder to do the switching but right now I have to hold the button down to control color, else the brightness is controlled. I would like to be able to switch over to controlling the color with just a single click, and then click again to return to controlling brightness.

Here is the code that I have currently:

//rotary encoder inputs
int EN_PIN_BUTTON = 5;
int EN_PIN_A = 6;
int EN_PIN_B = 7;

//Led Outputs
int greenled = 9;
int redled = 10;
int blueled = 11;

int brightnessLevel = 0;
int Color = 0;

int Red = 0;
int Green = 0;
int Blue = 0;

//EN_PIN_A current state and last state
int aState;
int aLastState;

void setup() {
  pinMode (EN_PIN_A, INPUT);
  pinMode (EN_PIN_B, INPUT);
  pinMode (EN_PIN_BUTTON, INPUT);
  pinMode (redled, OUTPUT);
  pinMode (greenled, OUTPUT);
  pinMode (blueled, OUTPUT);
  Serial.begin (9600);


  brightnessLevel = 250; //initial brightness

  Color = 35; //initial color

  aLastState = digitalRead(EN_PIN_A);
}

void loop() {

// switching between color and brightness
   if (digitalRead(EN_PIN_BUTTON) == LOW) {
          aState = digitalRead(EN_PIN_A);
       if (aState != aLastState) {
        if (digitalRead(EN_PIN_B) != aState) {
          Color += 1;
          } else {
           Color -= 1;
          }
       }
   } else {
          aState = digitalRead(EN_PIN_A);
       if (aState != aLastState) {
        if (digitalRead(EN_PIN_B) != aState) {
          brightnessLevel += 10;
          } else {
           brightnessLevel -= 10;
          }
    brightnessLevel = constrain (brightnessLevel, -255, 250);
      }
   }

//define color functions
     Red =  255 * sin(0.1 * Color - 2 * 3.14159265 / 3) + brightnessLevel;
     Green = 255 * sin(0.1 * Color) + brightnessLevel;
     Blue = 255 * sin(0.1 * Color + 2 * 3.14159265 / 3) + brightnessLevel;
    
     Red = constrain(Red, 0, 250);
     Green = constrain(Green, 0, 125);
     Blue = constrain(Blue, 0, 125);
  
// Write color to outputs
     analogWrite(redled, Red);
     analogWrite(greenled, Green);
     analogWrite(blueled, Blue);
   
  aLastState = aState;

}

I hope this all makes sense. Thanks in advance for the help!

2

You need additional variables: previousButtonCondition, encoderFunction.

  • read condition of button

  • if button is pressed and previous condition is depressed, toggle encoder function

  • write condition of button to previous condition variable

  • do your "if" loop, but not with reading button, instead use encoder function.

Do you understand?

3

Im not sure I understand how to toggle the state. I can detect the button change from unpressed to pressed, but i don't know what to write to toggle the function state.

4 
encoderFunction = !encoderFunction;

This command will change TRUE to FALSE or vice versa.

5

Ah I see. So assign it as either "true" or "false" in the "Void Setup()" first and then inside the loop write something like:

void loop(){
	buttonState = digitalRead(en_pin_button);
	if (buttonLastState == HIGH) && (buttonState == LOW) {
		encoderFunction = !encoderFunction;
		;
	}
}

?

6

That's right. In the rest of the code that you already have, instead of reading state of the button, use encoderFunction for decision if rotary encoder will change brightness or color.

7

Awesome! Thanks for the help! just tested and it is working!

8

I'm glad :slight_smile:

9

This is almost what i'm looking for..... :wink:

But instead of a RGB LED strip I want to use a addressable RGB Led Strip (like WS2812B or WS2813)

So I do not have 3 Led Outputs, but just one.
Search for day's all over the internet, but this is as close as i get......
Unfortunately I am a complete noob when it comes to programming.

Is there someone who can help me?

10

jaysonmilroy:
Awesome! Thanks for the help! just tested and it is working!

Any chance you can post the final working code?