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Master the Art of Coding with Light

Coding Colors

Move beyond simple "on and off" commands and dive into the world of addressable LEDs. You’ll learn to manipulate individual pixels, create smooth color transitions, and build the foundation for lighting effects used in professional electronics and art installations.

Follow along with no hardware, use your own gear, or for the ultimate experience, get the Testudo Kit. It contains everything you need for this course, the bonus lessons, and much more.

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Coding Colors Lesson 1

Getting Started

We kick off by introducing the hardware and software essentials. By the end of this lesson, you'll have everything set up, including a flashy traffic light code.

  • Explore RGB Lights: Compare traditional RGB lights to addressable pixels like WS2812B on amomii Glow.
  • Software Setup: Download and set up the Arduino IDE.
  • Coding Library: Get the FastLED library.
  • Virtual Environment: Introduce WokWi, a helpful online simulator.
  • Hands-On: Build the circuit and write the blinking traffic light code.
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Coding Colors Lesson 2

Getting Started

Overview: Delve into color protocols—HTML Color Names, RGB, HEX, and HSV. Learn how to use each to assign vibrant colors to your pixels.

  • Color Naming: Introduce HTML color names.
  • Code Styling: Implement HTML color names in your code.
  • Hex Color Protocol: Understand and use the HEX color protocol.
  • Coding Hex: Apply HEX color protocol in your code.
  • HSV Protocol: Introduce the HSV color protocol.
  • Coding with HSV: Utilize the HSV color protocol effectively.
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Coding Colors Lesson 3

Coding Techniques

Overview: Shift your focus to coding techniques. Explore variables, increments, and if statements, creating dynamic, bouncing, color-changing patterns.

  • Coding Structure: Examine the coding structure on the Arduino IDE.
  • Variable Mastery: Understand and use 'int' and 'bool' variable types.
  • Operator Insights: Explore useful operators in coding.
  • Conditional Coding: Dive into 'if statements.'
  • Hands-On: Write the bouncing, color-changing code.
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Coding Colors Lesson 4

FastLED Library Functions

Overview: Learn about coding libraries, specifically FastLED functions. Wrap up the course by creating a beautiful rainbow chase effect.
• FastLED Functions: Explore essential FastLED functions, including Fill Solid, Fill Gradient, and Fill Rainbow.
• Coding Techniques: Learn EVERY_N_MILLIS and if/else statements with the index variable.
• Project Finale: Write a code cycling through various mesmerizing effects.

Links and Downloads

Everything You Need, And Much More

Testudo includes the amomii ONE and the Glow strip used in this course, but it doesn't stop there. It opens the door to our entire engineering curriculum, with all the components you need for three builds and 20+ advanced projects.