n: how to make a multi-layered acrylic and LED sculpture with variable lighting levels

Step 7 Arduino program

Next we need a way of controlling the LEDs.

We used an Arduino development board, as we have been playing around with them a bit for various projects.

Initially download and install the arduino software, which is available for; Windows, Mac OS X, Linux (32bit) and Linux (AMD 64bit).

After installing we used the following code:
(download the .pde file below)

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/*
opening 'n' version 1.2
3 sets of 2 led's fadding from one to other via pot
*/

int ledPin1a = 11; //led 1 a
int ledPin1b = 10; // led 1 b
int ledPin2a = 9; //led 2 a
int ledPin2b = 6; // led 2 b
int ledPin3a = 5; // led 3 a
int ledPin3b = 3; //led 3 b
int PotPin1 = 1; //set variable to value of analog pin 1
int PotPin2 = 2; //set variable to value of analog pin 2
int PotPin3 = 3; //set variable to value of analog pin 3
int value1 = 0;
int value2 = 0;
int value3 = 0;
int ledValue1a = 0;
int ledValue1b = 0;
int ledValue2a = 0;
int ledValue2b = 0;
int ledValue3a = 0;
int ledValue3b = 0;

void setup()
{
pinMode(ledPin1a, OUTPUT);
pinMode(ledPin1b, OUTPUT);
pinMode(ledPin2a, OUTPUT);
pinMode(ledPin2b, OUTPUT);
pinMode(ledPin3a, OUTPUT);
pinMode(ledPin3b, OUTPUT);
Serial.begin(9600);
value1 = analogRead(1);
value2 = analogRead(2);
value3 = analogRead(3);
}

void loop()
{
value1 = analogRead(PotPin1); //read value of PotPin1
ledValue1a = value1 /=4;
ledValue1b = 255 - ledValue1a;
analogWrite(ledPin1a, ledValue1a);
analogWrite(ledPin1b, ledValue1b);

value2 = analogRead(PotPin2); //read value of PotPin2
ledValue2a = value2 /=4;
ledValue2b = 255 - ledValue2a;
analogWrite(ledPin2a, ledValue2a);
analogWrite(ledPin2b, ledValue2b);

value3 = analogRead(PotPin3); //read value of PotPin3
ledValue3a = value3 /=4;
ledValue3b = 255 - ledValue3a;
analogWrite(ledPin3a, ledValue3a);
analogWrite(ledPin3b, ledValue3b);

Serial.print(ledValue1a);

}

//works nice, straight fade, one high other low.

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This then needs to be uploaded via USB to the arduino board. Having the serial.print function enabled means that it is possible to see the value being created by pot 1 which is good for testing and debugging.

Having completed upload and testing you then unplug the USB and move the jumpers to enable the arduino to use a external power supply rather than the USB.