0

Software Prerequisites

by Roberto Marquez

rpi-rgb-led-matrix

This project uses a fork of the hzeller project on Github.  The fork only has changes to specify the scrolling text as a command line argument.  The main branch can be used once this pull request is accepted.

Use these commands to download the code to the Raspberry Pi and build the Web application's dependencies.

Download file 
// install dependencies for the scrolling text
sudo apt-get update

sudo aptitude install libgraphicsmagick++-dev libwebp-dev

sudo apt-get install libgraphicsmagick++-dev libwebp-dev -y

sudo apt-get install libwebp-dev

sudo apt-get install python2.7-dev python-pillow -y

// download the C++ project that drives the GPIO
git clone https://github.com/onebeartoe/rpi-rgb-led-matrix.git

// build the project, specifing the Adafruit HAT as the hardware profile
cd rpi-rgb-led-matrix
sudo HARDWARE_DESC=adafruit-hat make install-python

cd utils/
sudo make led-image-viewer

cd ../examples-api-use
make

Before continuing, be sure the following demo programs built into the rpi-rgb-led-matrix library run without errors and you see the LED panel lighting up.  

The first demo is the spinning square.

Download file 
$ cd rpi-rgb-led-matrix/examples-api-use 

$ sudo ./demo -D -m 0 --led-no-hardware-pulse --led-gpio-mapping=adafruit-hat

The second demo is scrolling test.

Download file 
cd python/samples/
sudo ./runtext.py

Payara (runs WAR files)

The Web application for this project uses JEE and is packaged as a WAR file.  Payara Server 4.1.x is used to run the Web app.

I tried Payara MicroProfile 164 from the main downlaods page, but it has issues running the WAR.  The prerelease seems stable while running this project.  See the following link and download JAR named "Payara-Micro (Web Profile Implementation)":

http://www.payara.fish/upstream_builds
             
Copy the JAR to the Raspberry Pi.  It is used later in the project.

Here is a local copy of the Payara JAR, in case the specific version used in this project is not available for some reason.

The following command can be used to download the local copy of JAR file.

Download file 
$ wget https://cdn-learn.adafruit.com/assets/assets/000/037/927/original/payara-micro-prerelease-2016-11-24.jar
REQUIRED PARTS SOFTWARE
This guide was first published on Jan 02, 2017. It was last updated on Sep 13, 2018. This page (Software Prerequisites ) was last updated on Feb 19, 2017.

RELATED GUIDES

SmartMatrix Remote Controlled LED Art Display
Remote controlled display to brighten up any room
by Louis Beaudoin
Make a bright LED display to play back animated GIFs and patterns using a Teensy 3.1 and 32x32 pixel RGB LED Matrix. Sit back and control the light show from across the room through an IR remote
NextBus transit clock for Raspberry Pi
Should I stay or should I go now?
by Phillip Burgess
For transit-bound people, NextBus — a free internet service providing arrival data for over 135 transit agencies — is a tremendous convenience. Knowing when a bus is due means less standing out in the rain…one can use that time inside to get a little extra work done, or finish that cup of coffee. Using the Raspberry Pi computer, we’ll create a dedicated NextBus “appliance” that informs at a glance.
NEW
MIDI Solenoid Drummer
Use Crickit to build an automated percussive instrument.
by C. Cunningham
This project shows you how to use an Adafruit Feather, Crickit, & four 5V solenoids to build a MIDI sequenced miniature drumkit.
POPULAR
32x16 and 32x32 RGB LED Matrix
Hundreds of pixels of eye-blasting LED glory!
by Phillip Burgess
Bring a little bit of Times Square into your home with our RGB LED matrix panels. These panels are normally used to make video walls — here in New York we see them on the sides of buses and on bus stops — to display animations or short video clips. We thought they looked really cool so we picked up a few boxes from the factory. Learn how to get these LED matrices up and running with an Arduino.