Video synthesizers can create fun and funky visual effects on screens. In this project, you'll learn how to use Processing and Blinka, the CircuitPython compatibility library for single-board computers running Linux, to display animations and control them with hardware.

STEMMA boards communicate over I2C, which makes interfacing with the Raspberry Pi simple.

There are four animations included in the Processing sketch. You can change which one is actively playing by using the rotary encoder.

You can change the colors and attributes of each animation with the NeoSliders and VL53L4CD time of flight sensor.

What is Processing?

Processing is a piece of open-source software designed for beginners to code visuals with Java. It can run on a variety of platforms, including Windows and macOS. In this project, you will be running it on a Raspberry Pi 4.

Prerequisite Guides

There are a few guides that will come in handy while you're working on this project.

Parts

Angled shot of Raspberry Pi 4
NOTE: Due to stock limitations we may only be able to offer refunds or store credit for Pis that are defective, damaged or lost in transit.The Raspberry Pi...
Out of Stock
Long rectangular breakout board with a slide potentiometer changing colors as a hand moves up and down.
Our family of I2C-friendly user interface elements grows by one with this new product that makes it plug-n-play-easy to add a 75mm long slide potentiometer to any microcontroller or...
$9.95
In Stock
Top view video of a gloved hand turning the rotary encoder knobs on three PCBs. The NeoPixel LEDs on each PCB change color. The OLED display changes its readout data with each twisty-turn.
Rotary encoders are soooo much fun! Twist em this way, then twist them that way. Unlike potentiometers, they go all the way around and often have little detents for tactile feedback....
$5.95
In Stock
Video of a hand hovering over a Adafruit VL53L4CD Time of Flight Distance Sensor thats connected to a white breadboard reading the range of motion of the hand.
The Adafruit VL53L4CD Time of Flight Sensor is another great Time of Flight distance sensor from ST in the VL5 series of chips, this one is great for...
$14.95
In Stock
Angled shot of JST SH 4-pin Cable with Premium Female Sockets.
This 4-wire cable is a little over 150mm / 6" long and fitted with JST-SH female 4-pin connectors on one end and premium female headers on the other. Compared with the chunkier...
$0.95
In Stock

This guide was first published on Mar 29, 2022. It was last updated on Mar 29, 2022.

This page (Overview) was last updated on Apr 14, 2023.

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