The “Matrix Painter” is a project where you control 8×8 LED Matrices from either your computer, a friends computer, or any other device such as a phone.
Processing
An app written in Processing (read more about Processing here) connects to the Arduino via the Serial port.
Note to Windows users: This project was developed on a Mac – you’ll need to poke around in the serial port string in order to find the right one
The app has a UI for controlling the pixels on the matrices.
The app also opens a TCP server on port 5204 which allows for further ways of controlling the matrices by connecting clients.
iOS
In the project there’s a simple iOS app that renders a grid, representing the matrices. The app connects to the TCP server running in the Processing app.
In order to compile the iOS project you’ll need Xcode.
Stop breadboarding and soldering – start making immediately! Adafruit’s Circuit Playground is jam-packed with LEDs, sensors, buttons, alligator clip pads and more. Build projects with Circuit Playground in a few minutes with the drag-and-drop MakeCode programming site, learn computer science using the CS Discoveries class on code.org, jump into CircuitPython to learn Python and hardware together, TinyGO, or even use the Arduino IDE. Circuit Playground Express is the newest and best Circuit Playground board, with support for CircuitPython, MakeCode, and Arduino. It has a powerful processor, 10 NeoPixels, mini speaker, InfraRed receive and transmit, two buttons, a switch, 14 alligator clip pads, and lots of sensors: capacitive touch, IR proximity, temperature, light, motion and sound. A whole wide world of electronics and coding is waiting for you, and it fits in the palm of your hand.
Have an amazing project to share? The Electronics Show and Tell is every Wednesday at 7pm ET! To join, head over to YouTube and check out the show’s live chat – we’ll post the link there.
