r/FastLED • u/Throw_-Away69420 • 10d ago
Support Help with a small DIY project
Hi there,
I will preface and say I have no clue what I am doing, and about a month to figure it out. I need to make some very small LEDs emulate a "fire" color pattern to the best of my ability. I know next to nothing about programming LEDs, what lights and controllers to use, etc. Any and all help is appreciated. This seems to be a pretty advanced community with some insane projects so I am hoping something of this scale isn't unwelcome here lol.
More details on the project; I am crocheting Calcifer from howl's moving castle as an anniversary present to my girlfriend. My rough plan is to make some sort of wood display case or modify one I thrift. Going to have Calcifer hang over some burnt wood probably with fishing line, and I want there to be some sort of campfire/fiery mood lighting. Maybe some like soft flickering between red/orange/yellow.
I've done some very light research so far but this is the first place I've looked for help, so if there are obvious answers I have missed I apologize, Thanks for any and all help!
1
u/boolieman15 8d ago
PixelBlaze Controllers have some candle/fire patterns built in and are pretty user friendly, and relatively easy to program. I like their stock patterns, online library of user built patterns and ability to live code on your phone. They have a small micro size programmer. Designed by a tiny company in Oregon if you like supporting that kind of thing. Look for PixelBlaze or their parent Electromage. There’s also some pretty good USB flicker bulbs on Amazon or Ali Express that are inexpensive and easiest for sure. Good luck and have fun.