Arduino Project
Light Show
Course Introduction
In this lesson, you will learn how to use Arduino along with LEDs, and resistors to create a light show.
Note
If this is your first time working with an Arduino project, we recommend downloading and reviewing the basic materials first.
1.1 Install Arduino IDE(Important)
1.2 Introduction of Arduino IDE
Wiring
Common Connections:
LEDS
Connect the LEDs cathode to negative power bus on the breadboard, and the LEDs anode to a 1kΩ resistor then to the 2 to 13 on the Arduino.
Writing the Code
Note
You can copy this code into Arduino IDE.
Don’t forget to select the board(Arduino UNO R4 Minima) and the correct port before clicking the Upload button.
// Define LED pins
const int ledPins[] = {2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13};
const int numLeds = 12;
void setup() {
// Set all LED pins as outputs and turn them off
for (int i = 0; i < numLeds; i++) {
pinMode(ledPins[i], OUTPUT);
digitalWrite(ledPins[i], LOW);
}
}
void loop() {
waterfallEffect(true); // Waterfall (forward)
waterfallEffect(false); // Waterfall (reverse)
bouncingEffect(); // Bouncing (in and out)
bouncingEffect();
waveEffect(); // Wave pattern
waveEffect();
alternatingEffect(); // Alternating even/odd LEDs
runningBackEffect(); // Running light back and forth
ladderEffect(); // Ladder on/off sequence
progressiveKeepEffect(); // Progressive lighting
progressiveKeepEffect();
dualSlidingEffect(); // Dual sliding from ends to center and back
dualSlidingEffect();
dualSlidingEffect();
}
void dualSlidingEffect() {
// Move inward, blinking symmetrically
for (int i = 0; i < numLeds / 2; i++) {
for (int j = 0; j < 3; j++) {
digitalWrite(ledPins[i], HIGH);
digitalWrite(ledPins[numLeds - 1 - i], HIGH);
delay(10);
digitalWrite(ledPins[i], LOW);
digitalWrite(ledPins[numLeds - 1 - i], LOW);
delay(10);
}
delay(50);
}
// Move outward, blinking symmetrically
for (int i = numLeds / 2 - 1; i >= 0; i--) {
for (int j = 0; j < 3; j++) {
digitalWrite(ledPins[i], HIGH);
digitalWrite(ledPins[numLeds - 1 - i], HIGH);
delay(10);
digitalWrite(ledPins[i], LOW);
digitalWrite(ledPins[numLeds - 1 - i], LOW);
delay(10);
}
delay(50);
}
}
// Waterfall effect: LEDs turn on/off in sequence
void waterfallEffect(bool direction) {
if (direction) {
for (int i = 0; i < numLeds; i++) {
digitalWrite(ledPins[i], HIGH);
delay(50);
}
for (int i = 0; i < numLeds; i++) {
digitalWrite(ledPins[i], LOW);
delay(50);
}
} else {
for (int i = numLeds - 1; i >= 0; i--) {
digitalWrite(ledPins[i], HIGH);
delay(50);
}
for (int i = numLeds - 1; i >= 0; i--) {
digitalWrite(ledPins[i], LOW);
delay(50);
}
}
}
// Bouncing effect: inward and outward lighting
void bouncingEffect() {
for (int i = 0; i < numLeds / 2; i++) {
digitalWrite(ledPins[i], HIGH);
digitalWrite(ledPins[numLeds - 1 - i], HIGH);
delay(50);
}
for (int i = 0; i < numLeds / 2; i++) {
digitalWrite(ledPins[i], LOW);
digitalWrite(ledPins[numLeds - 1 - i], LOW);
delay(50);
}
for (int i = numLeds / 2 - 1; i >= 0; i--) {
digitalWrite(ledPins[i], HIGH);
digitalWrite(ledPins[numLeds - 1 - i], HIGH);
delay(50);
}
for (int i = numLeds / 2 - 1; i >= 0; i--) {
digitalWrite(ledPins[i], LOW);
digitalWrite(ledPins[numLeds - 1 - i], LOW);
delay(50);
}
}
// Wave effect: LEDs create a moving wave
void waveEffect() {
for (int i = 0; i < numLeds; i++) {
digitalWrite(ledPins[i], HIGH);
if (i > 1) digitalWrite(ledPins[i - 2], LOW);
delay(50);
}
for (int i = numLeds - 1; i >= 0; i--) {
digitalWrite(ledPins[i], HIGH);
if (i < numLeds - 2) digitalWrite(ledPins[i + 2], LOW);
delay(50);
}
for (int i = 0; i < 2; i++) {
digitalWrite(ledPins[numLeds - 1 - i], LOW);
}
}
// Alternating blink effect: even/odd LEDs alternate
void alternatingEffect() {
for (int i = 0; i < 5; i++) {
for (int j = 0; j < numLeds; j += 2) {
digitalWrite(ledPins[j], HIGH);
digitalWrite(ledPins[j + 1], LOW);
}
delay(300);
for (int j = 0; j < numLeds; j += 2) {
digitalWrite(ledPins[j], LOW);
digitalWrite(ledPins[j + 1], HIGH);
}
delay(300);
}
}
// Running effect: light moves left-to-right and back
void runningBackEffect() {
for (int i = 0; i < numLeds; i++) {
digitalWrite(ledPins[i], HIGH);
delay(50);
digitalWrite(ledPins[i], LOW);
}
for (int i = numLeds - 1; i >= 0; i--) {
digitalWrite(ledPins[i], HIGH);
delay(50);
digitalWrite(ledPins[i], LOW);
}
}
// Ladder effect: sequential on/off like climbing steps
void ladderEffect() {
for (int i = 0; i < numLeds; i++) {
digitalWrite(ledPins[i], HIGH);
delay(50);
}
for (int i = numLeds - 1; i >= 0; i--) {
digitalWrite(ledPins[i], LOW);
delay(50);
}
}
// Progressive keep effect: gradually light LEDs and keep previous ones on
void progressiveKeepEffect() {
for (int round = 0; round < numLeds; round++) {
for (int i = 0; i < numLeds; i++) {
digitalWrite(ledPins[i], LOW);
}
for (int i = numLeds - 1; i >= numLeds - round; i--) {
digitalWrite(ledPins[i], HIGH);
}
for (int i = 0; i < numLeds - round; i++) {
digitalWrite(ledPins[i], HIGH);
if (i > 0) {
digitalWrite(ledPins[i - 1], LOW);
}
delay(50);
}
if (numLeds - round - 1 >= 0) {
digitalWrite(ledPins[numLeds - round - 1], LOW);
}
}
}
// Center spread effect: LEDs light from the center outwards and then back
// (Not called in the loop)
void centerSpreadEffect() {
int center = numLeds / 2;
for (int offset = 0; offset < center; offset++) {
digitalWrite(ledPins[center - offset - 1], HIGH);
digitalWrite(ledPins[center + offset], HIGH);
delay(100);
}
for (int offset = center - 1; offset >= 0; offset--) {
digitalWrite(ledPins[center - offset - 1], LOW);
digitalWrite(ledPins[center + offset], LOW);
delay(100);
}
}