What's up ladies and gentlemen, Today I'm going to teach you how to make your action camera Ring Light "Xiaomi Yi" for this example.

So what is a ring light?

-seriously just googled this-

A ring light is a simple lighting tool that is commonly used for beauty shots, portraits, and macro photography. It is usually made up of a number of small bulbs forming a circle or just one circular fluorescent bulb. When used in photography, it creates an attractive catchlight on a subject’s eyes while emitting even, diffused lighting that helps eliminate shadows. It is usually positioned in front of the subject, with the camera situated in the middle of the ring.

I used Fusion 360 to 3D model the camera and the frame of the ring light. Now I'm not the first person to make something like this but I just want to share my experience on how I made one myself. I was also curious to test out my new 3d printer, and since it was small I was very limited to its build volume so I decided to make this project.

Parts list

Adafruit trinket Pro [Link]

Adafruit RGB NeoPixel Ring 16 [Lin k]

Potentiometer 50k - 100k

Wire: Stranded awg 22-26

Or a Magnet wire: 18- 22

Tools and other materials used

Soldering Iron 30-40W

Lead

3D printer I have 2 3D printers FlashForge Pro [Link] and E3D nano [Link]

Step 1: 3D Files

If you're using a Xiaomi Yi action camera then this step is no problem for you because I have already 3d modeled it. If you have a GoPro Hero 3,4 or 5 you will have to 3d model your own along with the ring light frame it's really easy you just need a caliper to get your measurements precisely. I encourage everyone to learn 3d modeling as it is and will play an important role in every household in the future.

Getting back to the topic:

The 3D files are 3d modeled in FUSION 360 basically my favorite 3d modeling software as of 2018, I have tried 123D design, sketchup, AutoCAD english. solidworks, rhino, inventor. and so far this is the easiest one that I have ever used. The first thing I did was 3d modeling the Xiaomi action camera, after that I got my electronics parts the Trinket pro, potentiometer and NeoPixel RGB ring and decided where to place the components. I did not bother overkilling the design by covering the electronics compartment, but I decided to just mount it as is at its sides. and just went ahead and 3d modeled everything, and I also included a diffuser slot so that the light will not produce any glares when set to max brightness. I 3d printed the files using a small desktop 3d printer called the E3D nano. The printer is still new so I was curious about the testing all the parameters that I can tinker with.

Check out the printer that I'm using

Easythreed E3D nano

My unboxing and review of the E3D nano

Summary of steps

1. Learn 3d modeling

2. Design your Action camera

3. Plan your parts placement

4. 3d model the frame

5. 3D print and test the fitting.

Step 2: Schematic

This part is very self explanatory and very easy to understand so I will just leave this here

Summary of connection:

1. 5V to left side of the potentiometer then to 5v pin of NeoPixel ring

2. Gnd to right side of the potentiometer then to Gnd pin of NeoPixel ring

3. A0 pin to center pin of potentiometer

4. D3 to Input pin of NeoPixel ring

Step 3: Program

Open the read me file inside the ZIP

It contains the NeoPixel library, adafruit driver and the boards list link. Basically everything that you need is there just take not of the following:

#define PIN 3

#define NUMPIXELS 16

int potPin = 0; //analog pin used for potentiometer

int brightnessVal = map(sensorValue, 0, 1023, 0, 255);

the map function is used to calibrate the potentiometer but if you don't know how to use it, leave it that way.

or you can simply go to this page

program.rar
Download

Step 4: Just a Follow Up

I just had to follow up on my review about the E3D nano that I got last Christmas

I will probably making something 3D printed again in my next Instructables project.

By the way, I'm trying to build my youtube channel so I hope you guys liked my projects. Give it a thumbs up and vote for me in any of the contests if you think I deserve it

Get your E3D nano here
https://goo.gl/uc5m2H

This is my main 3D printer

https://goo.gl/36VKbu