# Dotstar + CircuitPython Digital Sand ## Overview Something that has gotten popular recently is [Phil Burgess' _digital sand_ demo](../../../../animated-led-sand).  It's been riffed on a few times now, and since I have been playing around with the Dotstar Featherwing, I thought I'd have a go at it as well. I really wanted to do this in CircuitPython, partly as a learning exercise since I'm still fairly new to (Circuit)Python, and partly to see how far it could be pushed on a rather constrained environment like the SAMD21G18. The code is a fairly literal port of Phil's code as listed in the Ruiz Brothers' [Animated LED Sand](../../../../animated-led-sand) learning guide. I did have to make some changes, and do some optimization to get it all to fit and to run at a reasonable speed. I'm pretty happy with how it turned out. I'll go over those optimization on the code page. See the GIF below to see a short demo - its slower than C code, maybe better-called _LED Snow_ than sand? ![](https://cdn-learn.adafruit.com/assets/assets/000/050/330/medium800thumb/sensors_sand_demo.jpg?1516559394) - [Next Page](https://learn.adafruit.com/digital-sand-dotstar-circuitpython-edition/an-lsm303-featherwing.md) ## Guide Products ### Short Headers Kit for Feather - 12-pin + 16-pin Female Headers [Short Headers Kit for Feather - 12-pin + 16-pin Female Headers](https://www.adafruit.com/product/2940) These two  **Short**   **Female Headers**  alone are, well, lonely. But pair them with any of our [Feather](https://www.adafruit.com/categories/777) boards and you're in business! These headers are particularly cute and... In Stock [Buy Now](https://www.adafruit.com/product/2940) [Related Guides to the Product](https://learn.adafruit.com/products/2940/guides) ### Short Feather Male Headers - 12-pin and 16-pin Male Header Set [Short Feather Male Headers - 12-pin and 16-pin Male Header Set](https://www.adafruit.com/product/3002) These two  **Short**   **Male Headers**  alone are, well, lonely. But pair them with any of our [Feather](https://www.adafruit.com/categories/777) boards and you're in business! In Stock [Buy Now](https://www.adafruit.com/product/3002) [Related Guides to the Product](https://learn.adafruit.com/products/3002/guides) ## Related Guides - [NeoPixel Remote: IR Control with WLED](https://learn.adafruit.com/neopixel-remote-ir-control-with-wled.md) - [Arcade Machine/Console Emulator for ESP32 Handheld](https://learn.adafruit.com/handheld-esp32-arcade-machine-ports.md) - [Pip-Boy 2040 Wrist-Mounted Prop](https://learn.adafruit.com/pip-boy-2040.md) - [reef-pi Guide 2: Power Controller](https://learn.adafruit.com/reef-pi-power-controller.md) - [reef-pi Guide 6: pH Monitoring](https://learn.adafruit.com/reef-pi-guide-7-ph-monitoring.md) - [MUNNY Glowing Friend with Bluetooth Control!](https://learn.adafruit.com/munny-lamp.md) - [BLE Synth with the Feather nRF52840 and Circuit Playground Bluefruit](https://learn.adafruit.com/ble-synth-with-the-feather-nrf52840-and-circuit-playground-bluefruit.md) - [Animatronic Cosplay Wings](https://learn.adafruit.com/animatronic-cosplay-wings.md) - [DIY Darksaber Build - 3D Print with PropMaker FeatherWing and BLE](https://learn.adafruit.com/ble-darksaber-propmaker.md) - [I Vote(d) Pin](https://learn.adafruit.com/i-vote-d-pin.md) - [RGB Matrix Slot Machine](https://learn.adafruit.com/rgb-matrix-slot-machine.md) - [Wireless NeoPixel Controller](https://learn.adafruit.com/neotrellis-neopixel-controller.md) - [CircuitPython OLED Watch Clock](https://learn.adafruit.com/circuitpython-oled-watch.md) - [MP3 Feather - Gordon Cole](https://learn.adafruit.com/mp3-feather-gordon-cole.md) - [Minecraft GPS Compass](https://learn.adafruit.com/minecraft-gps-compass.md)