Noob getting stuck at the start

[eeles44]

Hi All and thank you for the add.
I am a complete noob and am trying to find a way of making the following work:

Input and sequence run from Xlights on osx
Arduino Mega connected via usb (will upgrade to e131 after the proof of concept)
WS2812 LED strip 60 IC's (1m for proof of concept)

the issue I am having is I cannot get find the code and settings for the auduino

Can some one please point me in the direction the code I need for the Arduino and the settings for Xlights

sorry, to be asking for help staight away. I have spent 2 days googling and cannot find the answer. (probably really simple but I as stated, I am a noob)
thanks

[keithsw1111]

While it is possible to do this it is a frustrating way to do it. You will very quickly hit limits and struggle to get assistance. This depends on exactly which boards you are using. There are a number of good ESP sketches including WLED and ESPixelStick. Arduino UNO is pretty much too slow and limited in memory for anything. A mega could do it but see my first point.

If you still want to persist you need to look for terms such as "DMX sketch" or "Generic Serial Sketch". A good site for this is DoItYourselfChristmas.com where there are threads and code posted and people who can likely answer your questions.

If you want to go beyond serial to E131/DDP then I do have a sketch for that but it is as is ... I dont support it and its not for someone who just wants to install it and have it running.

[eeles44]

Thank You Keith.

At the moment this is just a POC so i will search for those terms and check out the site you recommended.

the reason i wanted to go down the Arduino Route is that i plan to build my display over a few years building the props myself when i have a bit of free time during the year and treat each prop as a fixture, similar to how i would design a stage show. so in my head each prop has an "input" to control only that item like moving head lights.
 I would be looking to use Nanos with E1.31 shields and creating custom power supplies for each
So for instance a set of 4 candy canes with about 4m of WS2812 would be run off a NANO
then a window frame would be run of off a different nano.

I am guessing from you message that this is massively over complicating it?

Would would be the better way?

Sorry this is my first time trying this kind of thing

[keithsw1111]

That will end up expensive and frustrating. I know controllers look expensive but in the scheme of things they are one of the things you will spend the least money on. I know you probably don?t believe that right now but let?s have that conversation in a year or two.

[eeles44]

ok thanks, ill sack off the Arduino and look at controllers

thanks for the advise

[ozaz]

Agree with Keith, there's even a few Beagle Bone or Pi Pixel Controller capes/hats around these days that are reasonably cheap if you're only want to run a small number of lights
eg: https://www.wiredwatts.com/klk4pb
or: https://www.wiredwatts.com/hanrpi28d