We believe this Instructable is the most comprehensive step-by-step guide to build an 8x8x8 LED Cube ever published on the intertubes. It will teach you everything from theory of operation, how to build the cube, to the inner workings of the software. We will take you through the software step by step, both the low level drivers/routines and how to create awesome animations. The software aspect of LED cubes is often overlooked, but a LED cube is only as awesome as the software it runs.
About halfway through the Instructable, you will actually have a fully functional LED cube. The remaining steps will show you how to create the software.
A video is worth a thousand words. I'll just leave it up to this video to convince you that this is the next project you will be building:
I made this LED cube together with my friend chiller. The build took about 4 days from small scale prototyping to completed cube. Then another couple of hours to debug some faulty transistors.
The software is probably another 4-5 days of work combined.
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Signing UpStep 1: Skills required
I've been doing electronics for a long time, and for years i struggled with analog circuits. The analog circuits failed over half the time even if i followed instructions. One resistor or capacitor with a slightly wrong value, and the circuit doesn't work.
About 4 years ago, I decided to give microcontrollers a try. This completely changed my relationship with electronics. I went from only being able to build simple analog circuits, to being able to build almost anything!
A digital circuit doesn't care if a resistor is 1k ohm or 2k ohm, as long as it can distinguish high from low. And believe me, this makes it A LOT easier to do electronics!
With that said, there are still some things you should know before venturing out and building this rather large project.
You should have an understanding of:
- Basic electronics. (We would recommend against building this as your very first electronics project. But please read the Instructable. You'll still learn a lot!)
- How to solder.
- How to use a multimeter etc.
- Writing code in C (optional. We provide a fully functional program, ready to go)













































































































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Thanks
Thanks
Also I am unable to read schematics... is there any way I can get it changed so I can understand it?
cheers.Dave
I just finished putting all the parts together and hooked up the cube to an atmega328 and something seems to be off. when I upload the sketch all the led's light up and they stay lit and nothing else happens. did anyone else stumble upon this problem?
please mail me Dwegke001@gmail.com
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gTZJOy70rrc
Let me know what u think!
Could you give me this project (sch files, layout files, source code, ...)?. I want to make this project again.. It's really difficult for me.. Please please help me..
Thank you so much...
Thanks
could you please send me the hex file of this effect ?
I'm not good at math
But now I can not compile the hex file.
i have only the c files
It ain't that hard to figure out.
So you need to unpack the file open the folder in terminal window and type "make" .
This makes an executable file for linux.
After that you have to type ' sudo ./cube' to execute the file you just made.
Here is the file again.
Open Launch_effect.c in programmers notepad and amend case 20. You will see "RR and "LED CUBE"
If you read Triumphs messages he explains how to change some of the more interesting effects.
Have fun
Using the board with the holes already drilled as a drill guide (the soldering jig board), you could drill into a second board below but not all the way through. This will be the "cleaning board". Then, find a wooden dowel with a slightly smaller diameter and cut lengths equal to (thickness of board with through holes + depth of non-through holes in the other board) and place these dowels in the hole. Then, when you're done soldering, align the solder jig board over the "cleaning board" and press down to poke out all the LEDs at once.
Then, make up the layer just as described, using both halved of the jig to hold the LEDs. When you are done, separate the two halves, popping the bottom layer off first. Then put the upper layer on a flat surface and push evenly across the board to pop the LEDs out of their holes.
Let the LEDs be their own dowels. *8')