Usually you wait until the end of the project to do the programming. In this case, this is the best way to make sure your parts are working before you glue them down. Connect your GEMMA to your computer with the cable and upload the following code. Notice the section with the colors--you can hack that to be any combination you like. I found that deeper colors work better than lighter ones, but it can be fun to have a subtle mix.

The Arduino code presented below works equally well on all versions of GEMMA: v1, v2 and M0. But if you have an M0 board, consider using the CircuitPython code on the next page of this guide, no Arduino IDE required!
// SPDX-FileCopyrightText: 2017 Leslie Birch for Adafruit Industries
//
// SPDX-License-Identifier: MIT

/* 
Jewel Hairstick by Leslie Birch for Adafruit Industries
Based on NeoPixel Library by Adafruit
*/
 
// This section is NeoPixel Variables
 
#include <Adafruit_NeoPixel.h>
 
#define PIN 1
 
// Parameter 1 = number of pixels in strip
// Parameter 2 = pin number (most are valid)
// Parameter 3 = pixel type flags, add together as needed:
//   NEO_KHZ800  800 KHz bitstream (most NeoPixel products w/WS2812 LEDs)
//   NEO_KHZ400  400 KHz (classic 'v1' (not v2) FLORA pixels, WS2811 drivers)
//   NEO_GRB     Pixels are wired for GRB bitstream (most NeoPixel products)
//   NEO_RGB     Pixels are wired for RGB bitstream (v1 FLORA pixels, not v2)
Adafruit_NeoPixel strip = Adafruit_NeoPixel(7, 1, NEO_GRB + NEO_KHZ800);

//You can have fun here changing the colors for the code
uint32_t color1 = strip.Color(236, 79, 100); //Salmon Pink
uint32_t color2 = strip.Color(246, 216, 180); //Cream
uint32_t color3 = strip.Color(174, 113, 208); //Lavendar
uint32_t color4 = strip.Color(182, 31, 40); //Red
uint32_t color5 = strip.Color(91, 44, 86); //Purple


  
void setup() {
   //This is for Neopixel Setup
  strip.begin();
  strip.show(); // Initialize all pixels to 'off'
}
 
void loop() 
{
  
    
  strip.setBrightness(30);
  // the first number is the pixel number for Jewel. O is the center one 
  strip.setPixelColor(1, color1); 
  strip.setPixelColor(2, color1); 
  strip.setPixelColor(3, color1); 
  strip.setPixelColor(4, color1); 
  strip.setPixelColor(5, color1); 
  strip.setPixelColor(6, color1); 
  strip.setPixelColor(0, color2); 
  
  strip.show();
  delay(3000);
  
  
  strip.setPixelColor(1, color2); 
  strip.setPixelColor(2, color2); 
  strip.setPixelColor(3, color2); 
  strip.setPixelColor(4, color2); 
  strip.setPixelColor(5, color2); 
  strip.setPixelColor(6, color2); 
  strip.setPixelColor(0, color3); 
  
  strip.show();
  delay(3000);
  
  strip.setPixelColor(1, color3); 
  strip.setPixelColor(2, color3); 
  strip.setPixelColor(3, color3);
  strip.setPixelColor(4, color3); 
  strip.setPixelColor(5, color3); 
  strip.setPixelColor(6, color3); 
  strip.setPixelColor(0, color4); 
  
  strip.show();
  delay(3000);
  
  strip.setPixelColor(1, color4); 
  strip.setPixelColor(2, color4); 
  strip.setPixelColor(3, color4); 
  strip.setPixelColor(4, color4); 
  strip.setPixelColor(5, color4); 
  strip.setPixelColor(6, color4); 
  strip.setPixelColor(0, color5); 
  
  strip.show();
  delay(3000);
  
  strip.setPixelColor(1, color5); 
  strip.setPixelColor(2, color5); 
  strip.setPixelColor(3, color5);
  strip.setPixelColor(4, color5); 
  strip.setPixelColor(5, color5); 
  strip.setPixelColor(6, color5); 
  strip.setPixelColor(0, color1); 
  
  strip.show();
  delay(3000);
  
}

Installing Arduino libraries is a frequent stumbling block. If this is your first time, or simply needing a refresher, please read the All About Arduino Libraries tutorial.If the library is correctly installed (and the Arduino IDE is restarted), you should be able to navigate through the “File” rollover menus as follows:

File→Sketchbook→Libraries→Adafruit_NeoPixel→strandtest

Connect up your NeoPixels in a solderless breadboard and use alligator clips to attach to GEMMA, referring to the circuit diagram if necessary.

You’ll need to change a few lines in the code regarding the data pin (1), type of pixels (RGB vs GRB), and number of pixels (5). The resulting (and slightly simplified) code is below:

From the Tools→Board menu, select the device you are using: 

  • Adafruit Gemma M0
  • Adafruit Gemma 8 MHz 
  • Connect the USB cable between the computer and your device. The original Gemma (8 MHz) need the reset button pressed on the board, then click the upload button (right arrow icon) in the Arduino IDE. You do not need to press the reset on the newer Gemma M0 or Trinket M0.

When the battery is connected, you should get a light show from the LEDs. All your pixels working? Great! You can take apart this prototype and get ready to put the pixels in the collar. Refer to the NeoPixel Uberguide for more info.

This guide was first published on Mar 30, 2015. It was last updated on Mar 28, 2024.

This page (Arduino Code) was last updated on Mar 27, 2024.

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