# Creative Inspiration Activity Generator
## Overview
Feeling bored and need something to jumpstart the creative engine?
Sometimes the desire to create just needs a spark – some sort of seed to grow from. This quick, solder-free project turns your [Adafruit CLUE](https://www.adafruit.com/product/4500) into a **randomized project generator**. It's simple to use and easy to **customize** by adding your own activities & subjects.
This project takes inspiration from [Oblique Strategies](https://learn.adafruit.com/pyportal-oblique-strategies), but updates the idea for flexibility and more of an all-ages appeal.
## What you'll need
In addition to a **computer** , you'll need an [Adafruit CLUE](https://www.adafruit.com/product/4500), [USB cable](https://www.adafruit.com/product/592). You can also use a **battery** to make your CLUE portable.
### Adafruit CLUE - nRF52840 Express with Bluetooth® LE
[Adafruit CLUE - nRF52840 Express with Bluetooth® LE](https://www.adafruit.com/product/4500)
Do you feel like you just don't have a CLUE? Well, we can help with that - get a CLUE here at Adafruit by picking up this sensor-packed development board. We wanted to build some projects that have a small screen and a lot of sensors. To make it compatible with existing projects, we made...
Out of Stock
[Buy Now](https://www.adafruit.com/product/4500)
[Related Guides to the Product](https://learn.adafruit.com/products/4500/guides)
### USB cable - USB A to Micro-B
[USB cable - USB A to Micro-B](https://www.adafruit.com/product/592)
This here is your standard A to micro-B USB cable, for USB 1.1 or 2.0. Perfect for connecting a PC to your Metro, Feather, Raspberry Pi or other dev-board or microcontroller
Approximately 3 feet / 1 meter long
In Stock
[Buy Now](https://www.adafruit.com/product/592)
[Related Guides to the Product](https://learn.adafruit.com/products/592/guides)
## Optional
### Lithium Ion Polymer Battery - 3.7v 500mAh
[Lithium Ion Polymer Battery - 3.7v 500mAh](https://www.adafruit.com/product/1578)
Lithium-ion polymer (also known as 'lipo' or 'lipoly') batteries are thin, light, and powerful. The output ranges from 4.2V when completely charged to 3.7V. This battery has a capacity of 500mAh for a total of about 1.9 Wh. If you need a larger (or smaller!) battery,
In Stock
[Buy Now](https://www.adafruit.com/product/1578)
[Related Guides to the Product](https://learn.adafruit.com/products/1578/guides)
## What you'll need to do
To get things up & running, this guide will show you how to:
1. Install CircuitPython on CLUE
2. Install necessary code libraries on CLUE
3. Upload project code
Let's get started!
# Creative Inspiration Activity Generator
## CircuitPython on CLUE
[CircuitPython](https://github.com/adafruit/circuitpython) is a derivative of [MicroPython](https://micropython.org) designed to simplify experimentation and education on low-cost microcontrollers. It makes it easier than ever to get prototyping by requiring no upfront desktop software downloads. Simply copy and edit files on the **CIRCUITPY** flash drive to iterate.
The following instructions will show you how to install CircuitPython. If you've already installed CircuitPython but are looking to update it or reinstall it, the same steps work for that as well!
## Set up CircuitPython Quick Start!
Follow this quick step-by-step for super-fast Python power :)
[Download the latest version of CircuitPython for CLUE from circuitpython.org](https://circuitpython.org/board/clue_nrf52840_express/)
**Click the link above to download the latest version of CircuitPython for the CLUE.**
Download and save it to your desktop (or wherever is handy).
Plug your CLUE into your computer using a known-good USB cable.
**A lot of people end up using charge-only USB cables and it is very frustrating! So make sure you have a USB cable you know is good for data sync.**
Double-click the **Reset** button on the top (magenta arrow) on your board, and you will see the NeoPixel RGB LED (green arrow) turn green. If it turns red, check the USB cable, try another USB port, etc. **Note:** The little red LED next to the USB connector will pulse red. That's ok!
If double-clicking doesn't work the first time, try again. Sometimes it can take a few tries to get the rhythm right!
You will see a new disk drive appear called **CLUEBOOT**.
Drag the **adafruit-circuitpython-clue-etc.uf2** file to **CLUE**** BOOT.**
The LED will flash. Then, the **CLUEBOOT** drive will disappear and a new disk drive called **CIRCUITPY** will appear.
If this is the first time you're installing CircuitPython or you're doing a completely fresh install after erasing the filesystem, you will have two files - **boot\_out.txt** , and **code.py** , and one folder - **lib** on your **CIRCUITPY** drive.
If CircuitPython was already installed, the files present before reloading CircuitPython should still be present on your **CIRCUITPY** drive. Loading CircuitPython will not create new files if there was already a CircuitPython filesystem present.
That's it, you're done! :)
# Creative Inspiration Activity Generator
## Project Code
Now that CircuitPython & libraries are installed on your CLUE, all you need is the project code.
## Installing Project Code
To use with CircuitPython, you need to first install a few libraries, into the lib folder on your **CIRCUITPY** drive. Then you need to update **code.py** with the example script.
Thankfully, we can do this in one go. In the example below, click the **Download Project Bundle** button below to download the necessary libraries and the **code.py** file in a zip file. Extract the contents of the zip file, open the directory **Activity\_Generator/** and then click on the directory that matches the version of CircuitPython you're using and copy the contents of that directory to your **CIRCUITPY** drive.
Your **CIRCUITPY** drive should now look similar to the following image:
https://github.com/adafruit/Adafruit_Learning_System_Guides/blob/main/Activity_Generator/code.py
# Creative Inspiration Activity Generator
## Usage & Customization
After booting up, press the **A button** to generate a **new project** idea.
If you'd like simpler suggestions, press the **B button** to **remove** the **second item** from the proposed subject.
Generally, the generated project ideas work best as starting points or suggestions. For example: "make a VIDEO about METAL SINGING" could be a video about a heavy metal band, or someone playing the saw, or a crooning fork, etc.
## Customize it
You can easily add or remove words used by the generator by editing a single file.
For editing the CircuitPython code, we recommend using the [Mu editor.](https://learn.adafruit.com/adafruit-clue/installing-mu-editor) Info for downloading and installing Mu can be [found here](https://learn.adafruit.com/adafruit-clue/installing-mu-editor).
Connect CLUE to your computer and open the **CIRCUITPY** drive.
Open the file named **things.py** in the Mu editor.
You can **delete** or **add** items to the list, just remember to:
- Indent each item with four spaces
- Enclose each item in quotation marks
- Follow each item with a single comma
- Each item must have a length of 8 characters or less
## Featured Products
### Adafruit CLUE - nRF52840 Express with Bluetooth® LE
[Adafruit CLUE - nRF52840 Express with Bluetooth® LE](https://www.adafruit.com/product/4500)
Do you feel like you just don't have a CLUE? Well, we can help with that - get a CLUE here at Adafruit by picking up this sensor-packed development board. We wanted to build some projects that have a small screen and a lot of sensors. To make it compatible with existing projects, we made...
Out of Stock
[Buy Now](https://www.adafruit.com/product/4500)
[Related Guides to the Product](https://learn.adafruit.com/products/4500/guides)
### USB cable - USB A to Micro-B
[USB cable - USB A to Micro-B](https://www.adafruit.com/product/592)
This here is your standard A to micro-B USB cable, for USB 1.1 or 2.0. Perfect for connecting a PC to your Metro, Feather, Raspberry Pi or other dev-board or microcontroller
Approximately 3 feet / 1 meter long
In Stock
[Buy Now](https://www.adafruit.com/product/592)
[Related Guides to the Product](https://learn.adafruit.com/products/592/guides)
### Lithium Ion Polymer Battery - 3.7v 500mAh
[Lithium Ion Polymer Battery - 3.7v 500mAh](https://www.adafruit.com/product/1578)
Lithium-ion polymer (also known as 'lipo' or 'lipoly') batteries are thin, light, and powerful. The output ranges from 4.2V when completely charged to 3.7V. This battery has a capacity of 500mAh for a total of about 1.9 Wh. If you need a larger (or smaller!) battery,
In Stock
[Buy Now](https://www.adafruit.com/product/1578)
[Related Guides to the Product](https://learn.adafruit.com/products/1578/guides)
### Drawdio kit
[Drawdio kit](https://www.adafruit.com/product/124)
Drawdio is an electronic pencil that lets you make music while you draw! It's great project for beginners: An easy soldering kit with instant gratification. Essentially, its a very simple musical synthesizer that uses the conductive properties of pencil graphite to create different sounds....
No Longer Stocked
[Buy Now](https://www.adafruit.com/product/124)
[Related Guides to the Product](https://learn.adafruit.com/products/124/guides)
## Related Guides
- [Introducing Adafruit CLUE](https://learn.adafruit.com/adafruit-clue.md)
- [CLUE Rock, Paper, Scissors Game using Bluetooth](https://learn.adafruit.com/rock-paper-scissors-circuitpython.md)
- [PyLeap CLUE Barometer](https://learn.adafruit.com/pyleap-clue-barometer.md)
- [How to Fuse Motion Sensor Data into AHRS Orientation (Euler/Quaternions)](https://learn.adafruit.com/how-to-fuse-motion-sensor-data-into-ahrs-orientation-euler-quaternions.md)
- [BLE Thermal "Cat" Printer with CircuitPython](https://learn.adafruit.com/ble-thermal-cat-printer-with-circuitpython.md)
- [CLUE Light Paint Stick with CircuitPython](https://learn.adafruit.com/clue-light-paintstick.md)
- [CLUE Dice Roller](https://learn.adafruit.com/clue-dice-roller.md)
- [Welcome to CircuitPython!](https://learn.adafruit.com/welcome-to-circuitpython.md)
- [CLUE Sensor Plotter in CircuitPython](https://learn.adafruit.com/clue-sensor-plotter-circuitpython.md)
- [CircuitPython BLE Heart Rate Zone Trainer Display](https://learn.adafruit.com/circuitpython-ble-heart-rate-monitor-gizmo.md)
- [Wirelessly Code your Bluetooth Device with CircuitPython](https://learn.adafruit.com/wirelessly-code-your-bluetooth-device-with-circuitpython.md)
- [Digital Nose Milk Freshness Checker](https://learn.adafruit.com/digital-nose-gas-sensor-milk-freshness-checker.md)
- [Yoga Pose Chime](https://learn.adafruit.com/yoga-pose-chime.md)
- [Using the Bluefruit Dashboard with Web Bluetooth in Chrome](https://learn.adafruit.com/bluefruit-dashboard-web-bluetooth-chrome.md)
- [PyBadger Event Badge](https://learn.adafruit.com/pybadger-event-badge.md)
- [CLUE BLE MIDI Glove](https://learn.adafruit.com/clue-midi-glove.md)