Many/all tutorials online that I found are either not working or not completed with the instructions. This tutorial will guide you through the process of displaying .bmp files on an Arduino using an 8×32 LED matrix (but you can also use other). We will be using the LCD Image Converter application for Windows to convert the image files into a C array that can be easily integrated into an Arduino sketch.
Prerequisites
- Arduino board with an 8×32 LED matrix
- LCD Image Converter application (Windows) installed from: LCD Image Converter
- Basic knowledge of Arduino programming and uploading sketches
Steps
1. Installing the LCD Image Converter Application
- Download and install the LCD Image Converter application from the provided link.
- For users on other operating systems, set up a virtual machine to run the Windows application.
2. Preparing the Image
- Launch the LCD Image Converter application.
- Click on File > Open and select the image file you want to display on your LED matrix.
- Use the editing tools within the application to rotate the image if needed, ensuring it matches the orientation of your LED matrix.
3. Importing Preset Settings
- Go to Options > Conversion.
- Click on Import… and choose the
LOUIS.xml
file provided in this repository. This preset is specifically designed for an 8×32 LED matrix. - Modify the photo resolution in the application according to your LED matrix size if necessary.
4. Generating the C Array
- Click on Show Preview to see the converted image.
- Copy the generated C array.
5. Integrating the C Array into Arduino
- Open your Arduino IDE or preferred code editor.
- Load the Arduino code
LOUIS_GAN_LED_MATRIX.ino
- Locate the section of the sketch where you want to display the image.
- Paste the copied C array into the sketch, making sure it is placed within the appropriate code section.
- If you have multiple images that you want to display in a loop, add another C array and paste it into the desired section of the sketch.
6. Uploading the Sketch
- Connect your Arduino board to your computer via USB.
- Select the correct board and port in the Arduino IDE.
- Click on the Upload button to compile and upload the sketch to the Arduino.
7. Testing
- After the sketch is successfully uploaded, the LED matrix should display the converted image.
- If you have multiple images in the sketch, they should play in a loop according to your code implementation.
Additional Resources
- LCD Image Converter Documentation
- Arduino documentation and forums for troubleshooting Arduino-specific issues
Congratulations! You have successfully displayed .bmp files on an Arduino using an 8×32 LED matrix. Feel free to explore further and experiment with different images and LED matrix configurations.