Light Show Portal – Piper

WELCOME TO THE LIGHT SHOW PORTAL!

WHAT YOU CAN EXPECT IN THIS PORTAL

Getting started with Piper Light Show?We've built a bunch of really cool content to get you started, so here's a sneak peek of what you have in store in this portal:

Learn the Circuitry of Your Arduino Micro and Lightshow with Tinkercad

Learn how RGB LEDs encode different colors and draw your own bitmap!

Make your own bitmap art come to life on your Light Show Matrix!

Sound interesting? Before we get started, let's walk through some basics first so you know how to wire up your Lightshow Matrix.

  WHAT IS YOUR LIGHT SHOW MATRIX?  

Your Light Show Matrix is an 8x8 matrix which can either be connected to your Raspberry Pi (Piper Computer Kit) or to your laptop using the Arduino Micro (Command Center).

The Command Center and the Light Show Matrix are sold together as the Gamers' Bundle.

Light Show Portal
Light Show Portal

Recommended: We recommend you use your Arduino Micro (Command Center) with your COMPUTER

You can also use your Raspberry Pi with either the GPIO Pins OR Micro

Follow the ARDUINO + COMPUTER Instructions

(Recommended)

Follow the ARDUINO + PI Instructions

Follow the PI ALONE Instructions

STEP 1: ASSEMBLY

To get started, build your Light Show according to the blueprint included with your Light Show. Steps 1 and 2 are the same for all setups. But then your wiring will differ based on what you're connecting to!

Light Show Portal
Light Show Portal

Here's what those setups will look like when completed. To learn the wiring for each, hit NEXT.

ARDUINO + COMPUTER


Light Show Portal

Troubleshooting: It may be difficult to fit all the Light Show wires into the breadboard as there are already many coming from the Button Pad and Joystick. You could remove the small piece of wood in front of the Light Show so you have better access to the Arduino.

ARDUINO + PI


Light Show Portal

Troubleshooting: It may be difficult to fit all the Light Show wires into the breadboard as there are already many coming from the Button Pad and Joystick. You could remove the small piece of wood in front of the Light Show so you have better access to the Arduino.

PI ALONE


Light Show Portal

Note: There is no Light Show Storymode Level! Ignore that point in this blueprint, instead we will be using this tutorial.

Note: The blueprint shows the "PI ALONE" setup. It also mentions a Light Show Storymode Level, which is an error. Ignore it!

Instead, let's dive into the wiring for each setup. Hit NEXT!