This page is a master list of the parts and tools used in the guide.  Some pages of the guide present optional paths that you may choose to skip, so you may not need every part shown below.

I'll start with the most essential parts from Adafruit. The CompuCanvas we build will house a Raspberry Pi model 3B with a USB speaker and a Power over Ethernet module.  It will also use USB connected CircuitPython devices to create a light show on the canvas. These key parts are listed just below.

Angled shot of Raspberry Pi 3 - Model B.
Did you really think the Raspberry Pi would stop getting better? At this point, we sound like a broken record, extolling on the new Pi’s myriad improvements like we’re...
802.3af PoE Output Data and Power Splitter to Ethernet plus Micro USB
Power over Ethernet (PoE) splitters can make your project wiring a breeze - and best of all they work to connect any 802.3af-capable router to any Ethernet device, even if it...

Note: for the other end of the Power over Ethernet splitter shown above, you will need an IEEE 802.3af compliant PoE 'injector', which takes power and Ethernet as input and will send them over an Ethernet cable to the PoE splitter shown above. The PoE injector part will be shown in more detail in upcoming sections of this guide.

Mini External USB Stereo Speaker
Add some crisp and compact audio to your project with this Mini External USB 2.0 Speaker. It's USB-only and does not require or use a 3.5mm audio jack....
Top down view of a Adafruit NeoTrellis M4 Mainboard - featuring SAMD51.
We got a big ol' blender and tossed in an ItsyBitsy M4, two NeoTrellis boards and an electret mic amp - turned on the 'mix' button and out came the NeoTrellis M4 - a super...
A Black woman's manicured hand holds a round microcontroller with lit up LEDs.
Circuit Playground Express is the next step towards a perfect introduction to electronics and programming. We've taken the original Circuit Playground Classic and...

Below are a number of additional parts from Adafruit used in this guide. Some of these are optional, as indicated in the description text.

1 x White Nylon Screw and Stand-off Set – M2.5 Thread
These nylon screw and standoff parts are essential for mounting computers on canvas.
1 x SD/MicroSD Memory Card
microSD card for Raspberry Pi

Optional Lighting Parts

1 x Adafruit NeoPixel LED Strip w/ Alligator Clips - 30 LEDs/meter - 1 Meter
30 NeoPixel strip to add light and color behind the canvas
1 x Adafruit GEMMA M0
Gemmo M0, used to control NeoPixel strip or for external canvas lighting

Cables

I have indicated a quantity of 2 for some of these cables below, but you may only need one depending on which of the interior and exterior lighting options you choose.

1 x RJ-45 Ethernet Round Panel Mount Extension Cable - 30cm
Panel mount cable to bring Ethernet (and power) into the canvas.
2 x Ethernet Cable
Ethernet cables for canvas exterior. Also consider the flat, thin style Ethernet cables shown in an upcoming page of this guide.
2 x USB cable - 6" A/MicroB
Short USB cable for connecting CircuitPython devices to rPi.
2 x USB cable - USB A to Micro-B - 3 foot long
Long USB cable for connecting CircuitPython devices to rPi
2 x Snap-In Panel Mount Cable - USB A Extension Cable
USB cable to transition from behind to front of canvas, for externally placed CircuitPython devices.
1 x DIY USB Cable Parts - Straight Type A Plug
USB A end of ribbon cable assembly
1 x DIY USB Cable Parts - Right Angle Micro B Plug Up
micro USB end of ribbon cable assembly

Tools

This guide uses some common tools that you can find at a hardware store, or maybe already have:

  • hammer
  • Philips screwdriver 
  • wire cutter
  • awl and/or large needles
  • mechanical pencil

And here are a few additional tools used in the guide that can be found in the Adafruit store:

1 x USB MicroSD Card Reader/Writer
USB adapter for programming microSD cards
1 x Adafruit PyRuler
ruler for measuring and marking cut points on canvas
1 x Slice Craft Knife with Ceramic Blade
blade tool for making cuts in the canvas

Art and Hardware Store Parts

Some of the parts you will need aren't available from Adafruit, but should be easy to find at an art supply store and/or a hardware store.  These will be covered in full detail in the next section:

  • Art canvas - 11x14 inch - "heavy duty"
  • D-ring hangers, for attaching to back of canvas
  • Hanging wire, attaches to D-ring hangers, for securing canvas to wall
  • Cable staples, for holding cables to wood frame of canvas
  • optional: foam board for back of canvas
  • optional: offset clips to hold foam board to back of canvas

This guide was first published on Dec 11, 2019. It was last updated on Mar 08, 2024.

This page (Parts and Tools) was last updated on Mar 08, 2024.

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