Variable LED Strip Color

Code

The code in the editor below is ready to run! Plug your Code Lab in to your computer's USB port with the cable and hit 'Upload Your Code!' to see what it does. Change something in the code, like a delay or pin number. Try to add something new to the program - it's yours to tinker with! You can always press the 'Restore' button to return the code to the working example.

/* Use a variable to control the color of the entire LED strip from 0 to 299 */ #include "LEDStrip.h" //The LEDStrip.h library gives your code access to special functions exclusive to the LED Strip LEDStrip strip = LEDStrip(50, 13, 12); //Set up the strip by defining how many pixels (50) and which pins of the microchip are used (always 13 and 12 on Code Lab) int color = 0; //Create a variable called 'color' that is an integer (whole number) and starting value of 0 void setup() { } void loop() { strip.setPixel(strip.ALL,color); //set all of the pixels (strip.ALL) to the color value equal to the color variable strip.draw(); //send the setPixel data to the strip color++; //increase the value of the color variable by 1 delay(1000); //Wait 1000 milliseconds (1 second) between color changes if(color==299){ //If the color variable reaches its maximum of 299... color=0; //reset the color variable to 0 } } // (c) 2021 Let's Start Coding. License: www.letsstartcoding.com/bsdlicense

Walkthrough Video

Watch the video for a line-by-line explanation of how the example program works. Then you'll be ready to make some changes of your own!

Video Notes for Code Lab Users:

You will use “50” instead of “15” as the first argument in your LEDStrip function.
The second and third arguments of the LEDStrip function (13 and 12) do not need to change. These connections are permanently set on Code Lab.

Use this spectrum to estimate the color values you'll need for your 'setPixel' arguments to achieve your favorite color!

Challenges

Can you complete the challenges? Change the code in your code editor above. Upload your code to see the effect when you're finished. Complete a challenge? Check it off the list!

Instead of having the setPixel function light up the entire LED strip, change the first argument of the setPixel function to turn on only one pixel and change that pixel’s color.

Change the number inside the parentheses of the ‘if’ statement to change the color value where the strip ‘resets’. Remember any color value above 299 will not display any color.

Change the number between the curly braces of the ‘if’ statement to change where the color value starts after the strip ‘resets’. Using this number and the number from the last challenge, you can customize the strip to only show a small range of colors, like blue to purple.

Concepts

These are the new code concepts covered in this example program. To become a great coder, read through these concepts to learn new vocabulary.

Quiz

If you're having trouble, try to run an experimental program or look at the example code to help you find the answer.

1. Which syntax ends the entire 'void loop' function?

semicolon ;
parentheses )
closing curly brace }

2. Which syntax ends a single code command?

semicolon ;
closing curly brace }
period .

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