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Getting started with NeoPixels
Getting started with NeoPixels
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Learn how to control LEDs on steroids.
1. Arduino libraries
NeoPixels (or the WS2812 compatibles) are addressable LED modules; you can control hundreds of
lights with 3 wires (power, signal and ground).
In order to use them, there are Arduino libraries that allow to address each LED's variables easily.
The most popular libraries are the NeoPixel and Fast LED libraries.
Install the libraries
- Go to Sketch->Include Library->Manage Library in the Arduino IDE menu
- Search for Adafruit NeoPixel library, select it and then click the install button
- Search for FASTLed library, select and install
Libraries are a collection of code that makes it easy for you to connect to a sensor, display, module, etc. For example, the built-in LiquidCrystal library makes it easy to talk to character LCD displays. There are hundreds of additional libraries available on the Internet for download. The built-in libraries and some of these additional libraries are listed in the reference. To use the additional libraries, you will need to install them.
Library use
All sketches using one particular library must being it in the header file:
#include <Adafruit_NeoPixel.h>