NeoPatterns for NeoPixel strips and Snake game for NeoPixel matrix.

This is an extended version version of the NeoPattern example by Adafruit.
New Patterns are added, a snake game running on a matrix is included and you can run multiple patterns simultaneously on the same strip.

               

Available as Arduino library "NeoPatterns".

   

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YouTube Video of NeoPatternsDemo	YouTube Video of MatrixDemo on a 10x10 matrix
YouTube Video of NeoPatternsDemo on a long matrix	YouTube Video of Fire on on a long matrix
YouTube Video of OpenLedRace at the Cologne public library MINTköln-Festival

PATTERNS

Patterns from Adafruit

• RAINBOW_CYCLE
• COLOR_WIPE
• FADE

New patterns

• DELAY
• SCANNER_EXTENDED
• STRIPES
• FLASH
• PROCESS_SELECTIVE
• HEARTBEAT
• BOUNCING_BALL

The original SCANNER pattern is extended and includes the CYLON as well as the ROCKET or FALLING_STAR pattern. The more versatile STRIPES pattern replaces the old THEATER_CHASE one.

Pattern from FastLed

• FIRE adapted from FastLed

Patterns only for n x n Matrix

• MOVING_PICTURE
• MOVE
• TICKER
• FIRE
• SNOW
• SNAKE

You can provide your own patterns

• USER_PATTERN1
• USER_PATTERN2

See UserPattern example.

NeoPixel library

the included NeoPixel library is an extensions of the Adafruit NeoPixel library and supports multiple virtual NeoPixel (and NeoPattern) objects on one physical strip. It also contains a lot of useful functions like:

• setColor()
• drawBar()
• drawBarFromColorArray() - uses a color array for the different colors of the bar pixel.
• dimColor() - by 50%.
• gamma5() - returns gamma brightness value from a linear input.
• gamma5FromColor() - returns the gamma corrected color.
• Wheel() - returns colors from a color wheel starting ar red. as well as functions for getting color parts
• Red()
• Green()
• Blue()

Installation

First, you need to install "Adafruit NeoPixel" library with Tools -> Manage Libraries... or Ctrl+Shift+I. Use "neoPixel" as filter string. Then install this "NeoPatterns" library with Tools -> Manage Libraries... (Ctrl+Shift+I). Use "NeoPatterns" as filter string.

Matrix pixel mappings

Origin (0,0) of x and y values is at the top left corner and the positive direction is right and DOWN.

Pixel mappings definitions and semantics are taken from https://github.com/adafruit/Adafruit_NeoMatrix/blob/master/Adafruit_NeoMatrix.h Here you find also mappings for tiled display with multiple matrices.

Examples for LED index to position mappings:

     ProgressiveMapping                  ZigzagTypeMapping
   Regular        Mirrored           Regular        Mirrored
   Bottom/Right   Bottom/Left
   15 14 13 12    12 13 14 15        12 13 14 15    15 14 13 12
   11 10  9  8     8  9 10 11        11 10  9  8     8  9 10 11
    7  6  5  4     4  5  6  7         4  5  6  7     7  6  5  4
    3  2  1  0     0  1  2  3         3  2  1  0     0  1  2  3

All matrix pixel mappings except NEO_MATRIX_COLUMNS are supported In case you need NEO_MATRIX_COLUMNS layout, try to rotate your Matrix and use NEO_MATRIX_ROWS or use your own custom mapping function.

Using the new *.hpp files / how to avoid multiple definitions linker errors

In order to support compile options more easily, the line #include <NeoPatterns.h> or MatrixNeoPatterns.hpp or MatrixSnake.hpp must be changed to #include <NeoPatterns.hpp>, but only in your main program (aka *.ino file with setup() and loop()), like it is done in the examples.
In all other files you must use #include <NeoPatterns.h> etc., otherwise you will get tons of "multiple definition" errors. Take care that all macros you define in your main program before #include <NeoPatterns.hpp> etc. , e.g. DO_NOT_USE_MATH_PATTERNS should also be specified before the NeoPatterns.h include, otherwise the include may not work as expected!

Compile options / macros for this library

To customize the library to different requirements, there are some compile options / macros available.

NeoPixel

These macros must be defined in your program before the line #include <NeoPixel.hpp> or #include MatrixNeoPixel.hpp to take effect.
Modify them by enabling / disabling them, or change the values if applicable.

Name	Default value	Description
DO_NOT_SUPPORT_RGBW	disabled	Disables RGBW pixels support. Activate it, if you only have RGB pixels. Saves up to 428 bytes program memory for the AllPatternsOnMultiDevices example.
DO_NOT_SUPPORT_BRIGHTNESS	disabled	Disables the brightness functions. Saves up to 428 bytes program memory for the AllPatternsOnMultiDevices example.
DO_NOT_SUPPORT_NO_ZERO_BRIGHTNESS	disabled	Disables the special brightness functions, which sets a dimmed pixel to 0 only if brightness or input color was zero, otherwise it is clipped at e.g. 0x000100. Saves up to 144 bytes program memory for the AllPatternsOnMultiDevices example.
NEO_KHZ400	0x0100	If you do not require the legacy 400 kHz functionality, you can disable the line 138 #define NEO_KHZ400 0x0100 ///< 400 KHz data transmission in Adafruit_NeoPixel.h. This saves up to 164 bytes program memory for the AllPatternsOnMultiDevices example.

NeoPatterns

These macros must be defined in your program before the line #include <NeoPatterns.hpp> or #include MatrixNeoPatterns.hpp or #include MatrixSnake.hpp to take effect.
Modify them by enabling / disabling them, or change the values if applicable.

Name	Default value	Description
ENABLE_PATTERN_<Pattern name>	all	Selection of individual pattern(s) to be enabled for your program. You can specify multiple pattern. See NeoPatterns.h
ENABLE_MATRIX_PATTERN_<Pattern name>	all	Selection of individual matrix pattern(s) to be enabled for your program. You can specify multiple pattern. See MatrixNeoPatterns.h
ENABLE_SPECIAL_PATTERN_<Pattern name>	all	Selection of individual special pattern(s) (currently only snake pattern) to be enabled for your program. You can specify multiple pattern. See MatrixSnake.h
ENABLE_NO_NEO_PATTERN_BY_DEFAULT	disabled	Disables the default selection of all non matrix NeoPattern patterns if no ENABLE_PATTERN_ is specified. Enables the exclusively use compilation of matrix NeoPattern.
ENABLE_NO_MATRIX_AND_NEO_PATTERN_BY_DEFAULT	disabled	Disables default selection of all matrix and non matrix NeoPattern patterns if no ENABLE_PATTERN_ or ENABLE_MATRIX_PATTERN_ is specified. Thus it enables the exclusively use of special Snake pattern which saves program memory.
DO_NOT_USE_MATH_PATTERNS	disabled	Disables the BOUNCING_BALL pattern. Saves from 0 bytes up to 1140 bytes program memory, depending if floating point and sqrt() are already used otherwise.
SUPPORT_ONLY_DEFAULT_GEOMETRY	disabled	Disables other than default geometry, i.e. Pixel 0 is at bottom right of matrix, matrix is row major (horizontal) and same pixel order across each line (no zig-zag). Saves up to 560 bytes program memory and 3 bytes RAM.

Snake

These macros must be defined in your program before the line #include MatrixSnake.hpp to take effect.
Modify them by enabling / disabling them, or change the values if applicable.

Name	Default value	Description
ENABLE_PATTERNS_FOR_SNAKE_AUTORUN	disabled	Selects all matrix and non matrix NeoPattern patterns used for the snake game.
ENABLE_USER_SNAKE_SOLVER	disabled	Disables the built in solver function getNextSnakeDirection() and enables the user provided solver function.

Changing include (*.h) files with Arduino IDE

First, use Sketch > Show Sketch Folder (Ctrl+K).
If you have not yet saved the example as your own sketch, then you are instantly in the right library folder.
Otherwise you have to navigate to the parallel libraries folder and select the library you want to access.
In both cases the library source and include files are located in the libraries src directory.
The modification must be renewed for each new library version!

Modifying compile options / macros with PlatformIO

If you are using PlatformIO, you can define the macros in the platformio.ini file with build_flags = -D MACRO_NAME or build_flags = -D MACRO_NAME=macroValue.

Modifying compile options / macros with Sloeber IDE

If you are using Sloeber as your IDE, you can easily define global symbols with Properties > Arduino > CompileOptions.

WOKWI online simulation of the AllPatternOnOneBar example

WOKWI online simulation of the MatrixDemo example

Examples for this library

The examples are available at File > Examples > Examples from Custom Libraries / NeoPatterns.

SnakeGame Example

The game can be controlled by 2 or 4 buttons or by serial input (WASD) on the keboard.
For keyboard control, start the Python script in the extras folder of the library with RunPythonKeybordForInput.cmd. This script sends a wasd key press immediately and does not wait for a return or a press of the send button, as the Arduino Serial Monitor does.
The experimental script Joystick2Serial.py converts game controller input to appropriate serial output for the game.
After 7 seconds of inactivity after boot, the Snake demo with a simple AI is started.

SnakeGame with 4 buttons on breadboard

SnakeAutorun Example

With the SnakeAutorun example you can prove your skill to write an AI to solve the Snake game. Just put your code into the getNextSnakeDirection() function.

AllPatternsOnMultiDevices

Shows all patterns for strips rings and matrixes included in the NeoPattern MatrixNeoPattern and Snake library.
Brightnes can be set by a voltage at pin A0. Uses the included allPatternsRandomHandler() to show all available patterns.

AllPatternsOnMultiDevices on breadboard

OpenLedRace

Extended version of the OpenLedRace "version Basic for PCB Rome Edition. 2 Player, without Boxes Track".
See also the dedicated repository for OpenLedRace.

OpenLedRace at the Cologne public library MINTköln-Festival

TwoPatternsOnOneStrip

This example renders a slow "background pattern" and a fast "foreground pattern" on the same strip.
It also shows, how to dynamically determine the length of the attached strip und to resize the underlying pixel buffer.

Revision History

Version 3.2.0

• Added functions getActualNeopixelLenghtSimple(), clearAndShow(), setMatrixPixelColorAndShow() and testMapping().
• Improved SNOW pattern.
• New handling for USER_PATTERN1 and USER_PATTERN2 and new UserPattern example.
• Improved MatrixPatternsTest example.

Version 3.1.1

• Added parameter aRepetitions to pattern RainbowCycle.
• Improved layout of character c.

Version 3.1.0

• Added functions printConnectionInfo(), fillRegion(), stop() and stopAllPatterns().
• Fixed brightness initialization bug for Neopixel with UnderlyingNeoPixelObjects.
• Renamed updateAll* and updateAndWait* functions.
• Now all NeoPattern objects are contained in NeoPatterns list.
• Now updateOrRedraw() does never call show().
• New pattern FLASH.
• Renamed ColorSet() to setColor().

Version 3.0.0

• Enabled individual selection of patterns to save program memory.
• Renamed NeoPatterns.cpp, MatrixNeoPatterns.cpp and MatrixSnake.cpp to NeoPatterns.hpp, MatrixNeoPatterns.hpp and MatrixSnake.hpp.
• Renamed matrix pattern macros from PATTERN_* to MATRIX_PATTERN_*.
• Changed parameter for endless repeats in initMultipleFallingStars().
• Improved usage of random().
• Added function fillRegion(), isActive() and setAdafruitBrightnessValue().
• Added support for brightness and brightness non zero mode.
• Fixed aDoUpdate bug for FADE.
• Fixed bugs in Colors.h.

Version 2.4.0

• Added macros ENABLE_PATTERN_<pattern_name> to enable reducing size, if some patterns are not used.
• Renamed NeoPatterns.cpp to NeoPatterns.hpp to enable easy configuration by main program.
• Fixed brightness bug in decrementTotalStepCounter().
• Changed parameter for endless repeats in NeoPatterns::initMultipleFallingStars().
• Improved usage of random().
• Added function NeoPixel::fillRegion(), NeoPatterns::isActive() and NeoPixel::setAdafruitBrightnessValue().

Version 2.3.1

• Changed type of TotalStepCounter from uint16_t to int16_t.
• Added SnowMatrix pattern.
• Improved debugging.
• Fixed random() bug for ESP32.
• Improved Fire cooling.

Version 2.3.0

• Changed TickerUpdate() and loadPicture() and their callers to achieve that YOffset is consistent with Y direction and origin.
• Removed restriction to 8 columns for FireMatrix pattern.

Version 2.2.2 + 2.2.3 (2.2.2 was an incomplete version)

• Fixed bugs if rows are not equal columns.
• Fixed bug in MatrixNeoPatterns constructor.
• Added SUPPORT_ONLY_DEFAULT_GEOMETRY compile option.
• Added loadPicture() for 16 bit pictures.
• Ticker now supports multiple characters and DIRECTION_NONE.

Version 2.2.1

• Removed blocking wait for ATmega32U4 Serial in examples.

Version 2.2.0

• Added support for RGBW patterns. Requires additional 200 bytes for the AllPatternsOnMultiDevices example. Deactivate the line #define SUPPORT_RGBW or defining DO_NOT_SUPPORT_RGBW saves 400 bytes program memory for the AllPatternsOnMultiDevices example.
• Use type Print * instead of Stream *.
• Changed function addPixelColor().
• Added function NeoPixel::printInfo(aSerial).
• Added *D functions, which take the duration of the whole pattern as argument.
• Added OpenLedRace example.
• Added empty constructor and init() functions.
• Added function updateAllPartialPatterns().

Version 2.1.0

• Ported to ESP8266 and ESP32.
• Changed signature of NeoPatterns(NeoPixel *aUnderlyingNeoPixelObject). Swapped 4. and 5. parameter to make it consistent to the NeoPixel signature.
• Function setPixelOffsetForPartialNeoPixel() in NeoPixel.cpp added.

Version 2.0.0

• Rewrite of most patterns control logic.
• Function drawBar() in NeoPixel.cpp added.
• Swapped parameter aNumberOfSteps and aIntervalMillis of Stripes().
• Pattern HEARTBEAT and BOUNCING_BALL added.
• Swapped first parameter and added parameter aDirection to Fire().
• Changed internal functions.
• Reworked UserPattern.

Version 1.1.0

• Function getPatternName() added.
• Function printPatternName() added.
• Improved support for pattern running on parts of NeoPixel bars etc.
• New example for 3 pattern running on parts of one NeoPixel bar.
• New simple example.
• Changed signature of Stripes() and reset ActivePattern to PATTERN_NONE at the end of each pattern.

Version 1.0.1

• Support of pattern running on parts of NeoPixel bars etc.

Version 1.0.0

• Initial Arduino library version

CI

The library examples are tested with GitHub Actions for the following boards:

• Arduino Uno
• Arduino Leonardo
• Arduino Mega 2560
• ESP8266 boards (tested with LOLIN D1 R2 board)
• ESP32 boards (tested with ESP32 DEVKITV1 board)