Programming custom graphics for POV display

USB AVR Programmer and SPI interface. Adafruit's USBtinyISP.

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Jasminepilcher
 
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Programming custom graphics for POV display

Post by Jasminepilcher »

Hi, I brought some 144 dot star strips from adafruit that I am attaching to a fan and hooking up to arduino to create a POV display - I am now at the point where I want to add and create custom graphics for my POV. However, I am quite confused as to how to go about it - there are a few different suggestions out there so just wanted some clarification. The spoke pov tutorial suggests to use the USBtinyISP but was that just for the bike spoke POV kits that are now discontinued and now irrelevant? The genesis POI talks about using python to convert images to code for arduino, but I was hoping to find some software that would help me design the images then convert, not just convert images. The spoke POV tutorial also mentions some spoke POV software but does that only work with the USBtinyISP? Or will it also work with a micro controller? And if so which micro controller would be best to control 4 x 70cm strips of the 144 dot stars considering the pro trinket is no longer recommended. Some advice would be much appreciated! Thanks!

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adafruit_support_carter
 
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Re: Programming custom graphics for POV display

Post by adafruit_support_carter »

The SpokePOV guide:
https://learn.adafruit.com/spokepov/download
is pretty old. A lot of what you are going to see there is related to an older approach to programming a microcontroller, which may be confusing. If you are starting fresh, you would be much better using a more modern microntroller, like a M0 or M4 based board. Then you would not need to worry about using the USBtineISP programmer. The modern boards can be programmed directly via a USB port.

Start by becoming familiar with DotStar in general:
https://learn.adafruit.com/adafruit-dot ... s/overview
And then look at more modern guides that use DotStars and go from there.

This will take some effort. So just work up to what you want one small step at a time. Good luck.

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Jasminepilcher
 
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Re: Programming custom graphics for POV display

Post by Jasminepilcher »

Ok thankyou for the advise. Can please clarify further about the micro controller? are you meaning this on for the M4: https://www.adafruit.com/product/3800
And for the M0 it looks like there are multiple options for feather and the itsy Bitsy. I have read up on the dotstars however it’s is the custom programming that seems quiet unclear. is there any software /approaches you can recommend for making my own graphics for POV then converting to code?

Thankyou!

Jasmine

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Jasminepilcher
 
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Re: Programming custom graphics for POV display

Post by Jasminepilcher »

Also, I recently purchased the Adafruit ItsyBitsy 32u4 - 5V 16MHz, but because you have suggested the M0 or M4 micro controllers, could you please let me know specifically which model is going to be best and if i should return this one! Thankyou!

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adafruit_support_carter
 
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Re: Programming custom graphics for POV display

Post by adafruit_support_carter »

Probably one of these would be good:
https://www.adafruit.com/product/3857
https://www.adafruit.com/product/3800
https://www.adafruit.com/product/3500
There are general trade offs of things like size and features like built in battery charging.

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