GEMMA M0 boards can run CircuitPython — a different approach to programming compared to Arduino sketches. In fact, CircuitPython comes factory pre-loaded on GEMMA M0. If you’ve overwritten it with an Arduino sketch, or just want to learn the basics of setting up and using CircuitPython, this is explained in the Adafruit GEMMA M0 guide.
Below is CircuitPython code that works similarly (though not exactly the same) as the Arduino sketch shown on a prior page. To use this, plug the GEMMA M0 into USB…it should show up on your computer as a small flash drive…then edit the file “code.py” with your text editor of choice. Select and copy the code below and paste it into that file, entirely replacing its contents (don’t mix it in with lingering bits of old code). When you save the file, the code should start running almost immediately (if not, see notes at the bottom of this page).
If GEMMA M0 doesn’t show up as a drive, follow the GEMMA M0 guide link above to prepare the board for CircuitPython.
# SPDX-FileCopyrightText: 2017 Mikey Sklar for Adafruit Industries
#
# SPDX-License-Identifier: MIT
import time
from rainbowio import colorwheel
import board
import neopixel
pixpin = board.D1
numpix = 7
pixels = neopixel.NeoPixel(pixpin, numpix, brightness=.3, auto_write=False)
rgb_colors = ([179, 0, 0],
[0, 179, 0],
[0, 0, 0])
rgb_idx = 0 # index counter - primary color we are on
color = (0, 164, 179) # Starting color
mode = 0 # Current animation effect
offset = 0
prevtime = 0
def rainbow_cycle(wait):
for j in range(255 * 6): # 6 cycles of all colors on colorwheel
for r in range(len(pixels)):
idx = int((r * 255 / len(pixels)) + j)
pixels[r] = colorwheel(idx & 255)
pixels.write()
time.sleep(wait)
def rainbow(wait):
for j in range(255):
for index in range(len(pixels)):
idx = int(index + j)
pixels[index] = colorwheel(idx & 255)
pixels.write()
time.sleep(wait)
def rainbow_cycle_slow(wait):
for j in range(255 * 3): # 3 cycles of all colors on colorwheel
for r in range(len(pixels)):
idx = int((r * 255 / len(pixels)) + j)
pixels[r] = colorwheel(idx & 255)
pixels.write()
time.sleep(wait)
def rainbow_hold(wait):
for j in range(255 * 1): # 3 cycles of all colors on colorwheel
for r in range(len(pixels)):
idx = int((r * 255 / len(pixels)) + j)
pixels[r] = colorwheel(idx & 255)
pixels.write()
time.sleep(wait)
while True:
if mode == 0: # rainbow hold
rainbow_hold(0.02)
time.sleep(.5)
elif mode == 1: # rainbow cycle slow
rainbow_cycle_slow(0.02)
time.sleep(0.05)
elif mode == 2: # rainbow cycle fast
rainbow_cycle(0.005)
time.sleep(0.050)
t = time.monotonic()
if (t - prevtime) > 8: # Every 8 seconds...
mode += 1 # Next mode
if mode > 2: # End of modes?
mode = 0 # Start modes over
if rgb_idx > 2: # reset R-->G-->B rotation
rgb_idx = 0
color = rgb_colors[rgb_idx] # next color assignment
rgb_idx += 1
for i in range(numpix):
pixels[i] = (0, 0, 0)
prevtime = t
This code requires the neopixel.py library. A factory-fresh board will have this already installed. If you’ve just reloaded the board with CircuitPython, create the “lib” directory and then download neopixel.py from Github.
Page last edited January 21, 2025
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