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Displaying .BMP with NeoPixel RGB LED Matrix (WS2812B) on Arduino

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

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.

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