# HalloWing Magic 9 Ball ## Overview https://youtu.be/6yjc_LfplKk Making difficult decisions can be tricky and stressful. This project will help you take off some of the pressure, instead letting your HalloWing-based Magic 9 Ball do the heavy lifting of your decision making! By harnessing the HalloWing's accelerometer to detect when the ball is turned upside down and right side up (or shaken), we'll then run a highly mysterious algorithm (OK, it's just a random number generator, sorry) to choose an image file to show on the TFT display. A stylish housing filled with swirly mystery fluid completes the effect. Will you love building this project? INDICATIONS SAY YES ### Part: Adafruit HalloWing M0 Express quantity: 1 Skull-shaped ATSAMD21 board w 1.44" 128x128 TFT display [Adafruit HalloWing M0 Express](https://www.adafruit.com/product/3900) ### Part: Lithium Ion Polymer Battery quantity: 1 3.7v 500mAh [Lithium Ion Polymer Battery](https://www.adafruit.com/product/1578) ### Part: DIY Snow Globe Kit quantity: 1 108mm Diameter [DIY Snow Globe Kit](https://www.adafruit.com/product/3722) ### Part: Black Nylon Screw and Stand-off Set quantity: 1 M2.5 Thread [Black Nylon Screw and Stand-off Set](https://www.adafruit.com/product/3299) ## Materials & Tools In addition to the above parts, you will want the following: - Food dye - Water - Glycerin (optional) - Super Pearl Dust (used in baking to add shimmer, [thanks to Epbot for the tip](http://www.epbot.com/2016/10/diy-pensieve-punch-glowing-shimmering.html)!) - E6000 glue (optional) - Double stick foam tape - Optional: 3D printed cap, mounting plate, and HalloWing case (if you don't have a 3D printer, you can send the files to be printed, or simply double-stick tape your HalloWing to the regular snow globe cap) # HalloWing Magic 9 Ball ## Build the Magic 9 Ball ![](https://cdn-learn.adafruit.com/assets/assets/000/062/247/medium800/sensors_IMG_5011_2k.jpg?1537501563) ## Mix the Mystery Fluid The Magic 9 Ball derives much of its power from the mysterious roiling fluid contained within the orb. Here, for the very first time, we shall reveal the secrets of the unfathomable fluid! ![](https://cdn-learn.adafruit.com/assets/assets/000/062/248/medium800/sensors_IMG_4913_2k.jpg?1537501658) Get ready for the secrets to be revealed! -- We'll mix water with super pearl dust (also called shimmer dust), food coloring, and optional glycerin. The dye gives the mix its color, while the pearl dust provides the moving, glittering view into the complex fluid dynamics going on in there while it is thinking. Add a very small amount of the pearl dust to the empty globe.   Fill halfway with water, then add dye and swirl it around. I used five drops of yellow to two drops of red here.   Fill the rest of the way with water, up to the level of the stopper cap.   Press the stopper cap into place. You can glue this in with silicone sealant or E6000 glue if you like, for extra safety. ![sensors_IMG_4920_2k.jpg](https://cdn-learn.adafruit.com/assets/assets/000/062/249/medium640/sensors_IMG_4920_2k.jpg?1537501976) ![sensors_IMG_4921_2k.jpg](https://cdn-learn.adafruit.com/assets/assets/000/062/250/medium640/sensors_IMG_4921_2k.jpg?1537501988) ![sensors_IMG_4922_2k.jpg](https://cdn-learn.adafruit.com/assets/assets/000/062/251/medium640/sensors_IMG_4922_2k.jpg?1537501996) ![sensors_IMG_4925_2k.jpg](https://cdn-learn.adafruit.com/assets/assets/000/062/252/medium640/sensors_IMG_4925_2k.jpg?1537502014) ![sensors_IMG_4928_2k.jpg](https://cdn-learn.adafruit.com/assets/assets/000/062/253/medium640/sensors_IMG_4928_2k.jpg?1537502022) ![sensors_IMG_4939_2k.jpg](https://cdn-learn.adafruit.com/assets/assets/000/062/254/medium640/sensors_IMG_4939_2k.jpg?1537502043) This is a fun time to test it out -- screw on the original cap and swirl the orb to see the intricate fluid motion! ![](https://cdn-learn.adafruit.com/assets/assets/000/062/257/medium800/sensors_IMG_4942_2k.jpg?1537506247) ## HalloWing Prep ![](https://cdn-learn.adafruit.com/assets/assets/000/062/269/medium800/sensors_IMG_4948_2k.jpg?1537507831) The HalloWing will be the brains and display of our Magic 9 Ball. ## Ready the Battery   Plug your Lipoly battery's JST plug into the battery port on the HalloWing.   Use double-stick foam tape to affix the battery to the board as shown. ![sensors_IMG_4949_2k.jpg](https://cdn-learn.adafruit.com/assets/assets/000/062/261/medium640/sensors_IMG_4949_2k.jpg?1537507715) ![sensors_IMG_4950_2k.jpg](https://cdn-learn.adafruit.com/assets/assets/000/062/262/medium640/sensors_IMG_4950_2k.jpg?1537507723) ![sensors_IMG_4951_2k.jpg](https://cdn-learn.adafruit.com/assets/assets/000/062/263/medium640/sensors_IMG_4951_2k.jpg?1537507738) ![sensors_IMG_4952_2k.jpg](https://cdn-learn.adafruit.com/assets/assets/000/062/264/medium640/sensors_IMG_4952_2k.jpg?1537507797) ## Prepare the Cap and Mount ![](https://cdn-learn.adafruit.com/assets/assets/000/062/272/medium800/sensors_IMG_4968_2k.jpg?1537508163) The cap, spacer and mount are all 3D printed. I modified these parts that were created by the Ruiz Bros. More info on the [HalloWing M0 Express Wearable Case here](https://www.thingiverse.com/thing:3108276), and the threaded ring came from their excellent [Automatic Dice Roller project](https://learn.adafruit.com/automatic-dice-roller/3d-printing). Below are the model files you'll need. These were printed in PLA plastic with 0.2mm layer height. [nine_ball_models.zip](https://cdn-learn.adafruit.com/assets/assets/000/062/273/original/nine_ball_models.zip?1537508374) You'll also need two 10mm long M2.5 nylon screws and nuts to affix the HalloWing case bottom to the spacer. ## Assemble Snap the HalloWing into place in the bottom mount, then place the spacer into the cap as shown. Screw the mount into place, thread on the nuts and tighten them. Then trim the screws flush with diagonal cutters. This prevents the screws from interfering with the fluid cap. ![](https://cdn-learn.adafruit.com/assets/assets/000/062/306/medium800/sensors_IMG_4989_2k.jpg?1537510446) ## Screw Cap onto Globe Now, we can screw the cap onto the globe -- just make sure the stopper is securely in place! Finally, snap the HalloWing case cover into place. ![](https://cdn-learn.adafruit.com/assets/assets/000/062/310/medium800/sensors_IMG_4997_2k.jpg?1537512139) Plug in a USB cable and next we'll program it! ![](https://cdn-learn.adafruit.com/assets/assets/000/062/324/medium800/sensors_IMG_5019_2k.jpg?1537512235) # HalloWing Magic 9 Ball ## Code with CircuitPython ## Image Player Firmware This project requires CircuitPython version 4.0 or higher. Refer to the [HalloWing CircuitPython page](https://learn.adafruit.com/adafruit-hallowing/circuitpython) for ensuring you upload the HalloWing version of CircuitPython 4.0 or greater. To load the CircuitPython firmware, plug in the HalloWing over a known good USB cable to your computer and then double-click the reset button on the HalloWing. This will put it into bootloader mode, allowing you to change the firmware. You'll see a USB drive appear called **HALLOWBOOT.** Drag the .uf2 file you downloaded onto the **HALLOWBOOT** drive. Once it copies over, it will automatically restart and show a flash drive named **CIRCUITPY**. Then you are ready to load a CircuitPython program that can take advantage of the display capabilities. [Download the latest version of CircuitPython for this board via CircuitPython.org](https://circuitpython.org/board/hallowing_m0_express/) ## File Format To prepare your graphics for the HalloWing, you'll need to size them to 128 x 128 pixels. You can do this in nearly any graphics program, such as Photoshop, GIMP, Preview on osx, ImageMagik, MS Paint, you name it! Save your file as a 24-bit .bmp file. Here you can see some example graphics. Here is the full set of answers for your Magic 9 Ball. Download the file and then unzip it. Drag the .bmp files onto your **CIRCUITPY** drive as shown. [nine_ball_answers.zip](https://cdn-learn.adafruit.com/assets/assets/000/062/680/original/nine_ball_answers.zip?1538157010) ![](https://cdn-learn.adafruit.com/assets/assets/000/062/332/medium800/sensors_drag.jpg?1537543689) Info: ## Magic 9 Ball Code This program is pretty simple in what it does -- it loads a random image onto the screen using `displayio.TileGrid` while fading the backlight up with  `board.DISPLAY.brightness` Then, whenever the HalloWing's accelerometer detects the board has been turned upside down or shaken, it dims the backlight, selects and displays a new image, and brings the backlight up again. Adafruit really likes using the Mu editor to edit the CircuitPython code. [See this guide on loading and using Mu](https://learn.adafruit.com/welcome-to-circuitpython/installing-mu-editor). https://github.com/adafruit/Adafruit_Learning_System_Guides/blob/main/Magic_Nine_Ball/code.py Copy the code and then paste it into Mu. Save the file to your **CIRCUITPY** board as **code.py**. The board will restart and then play an image. Try turning the Magic 9 Ball upside down and then back up -- you'll see a new image appear! ## Answer Any Question You can now unplug the USB cable (plug it back in any time to charge the battery) and use the Magic 9 Ball! Ask it a yes or no question, such as "Have we reached the mother ship yet?", then turn the ball over (or give it a shake), then turn it right side up and the answer will present itself in all of its wisdom! ![](https://cdn-learn.adafruit.com/assets/assets/000/062/329/medium800/sensors_IMG_5007_2k.jpg?1537513174) ![](https://cdn-learn.adafruit.com/assets/assets/000/062/330/medium800/sensors_IMG_5004_2k.jpg?1537513185) ![](https://cdn-learn.adafruit.com/assets/assets/000/062/331/medium800/sensors_IMG_5011_2k.jpg?1537513201) https://youtu.be/6yjc_LfplKk # HalloWing Magic 9 Ball ## Microcontroller Selection Oracle ![](https://cdn-learn.adafruit.com/assets/assets/000/062/361/medium800/sensors_oracle.jpg?1537557684) Here's another interesting use of the Magic 9 Ball code -- you can create a random microcontroller selector for all those times you just aren't sure which amazing CircuitPython-capable Adafruit board to get from [Digi-Key, who are going all-in on CircuitPython](https://www.digikey.com/en/maker/blogs/2018/python-on-hardware?utm_source=online&utm_medium=vanity&utm_campaign=python)! This will display a randomly selected board and show the product name, image, and Digi-Key product number! Simply load these images linked below onto the board (you can place the Magic 9 Ball images into a folder you make on the HalloWing and they won't be selected for viewing). [dk_quest.zip](https://cdn-learn.adafruit.com/assets/assets/000/062/362/original/dk_quest.zip?1537557910) ![](https://cdn-learn.adafruit.com/assets/assets/000/062/369/medium800/sensors_feather_m0_express.bmp?1537558051) This is just an example we created for our friends at Digi-Key, but we hope it also serves as a leaping off point for you to come up with your own creative uses for the image randomization of the Magic 9 Ball! ## Featured Products ### Adafruit HalloWing M0 Express [Adafruit HalloWing M0 Express](https://www.adafruit.com/product/3900) [This is Hallowing..this is Hallowing... Hallowing! 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