In this tutorial, I am going to show you how to build a 5*5 RGB LEDMATRIX USING NEOPIXEL. With this matrix, we can display mesmerizing animations, emojis and letters supersimple very attractive. let's get started!

Step 1: Features

Very small
Millions of colours
Only one wire needed for programming
Super decorative
We can display emojis, animations,letters

Step 2: Materials Needed

25*neopixel LEDs (WS2812 5050smd)
Arduino (any Arduino)
3D printed jig (you can download .stl)
Wires

Step 3: ABOUT 5050 WS2812B LEDs

Each ws2812 led has 4 pins

Vcc (connects to 5v)
Gnd
Din (connects to Arduino)
DO (data out connects to the next LEDs in data in)

I don't have individual ws2812b LEDs so I decided to take from ledstrip.for that I heated up the strip with soldering iron (watch the video for details)
After gathering all things lets start the build

WS2812 LED strips are addressable and programmable Flexible LED strips which are very useful in creating the custom lighting effects. These LED Strips are powered by a 5050 RGB LED with a WS2812 LED driver inbuilt within it. Each LED consumes 60mA current and can be powered from a 5V DC supply. It has a single input data pin which can be fed from the digital pins of Microcontrollers.

Depending on the intensity of the three individual Red, Green, and Blue LEDs we can create any color we want.

Watch this basics Video

Step 4: Circuit Diagram

Step 5: Making

First, place neopixel leds in 5*5 matrix jig. Remember place every LEDs in the same Direction After placing all LEDs on jig first connect every ground pins of each LEDs in a row. Then connect VCC of all LEDs of a row. Do the same for remaining rows. After finishing thats connect data out of first led to the data in of next led. Data out of each row connect to the next rows first LEDs. Repeat this for all LEDs. After finishing everything. connect all rows VCC together also ground. Finally connect wires to common gnd, VCC, data in.

Step 6: Enclosure

Next, I made a small enclosure with foam sheet. And placed the matrix inside the foam case.

Connections to Arduino

Vcc to 5v

Gnd to gnd

Din to D7 (any digital pin)

That's all about hardware connections

Step 7: REST IS IN PROGRAMMING

first, install fastled library

We can program each led seperatley.with the help of fast led library we can create different animations and characters.

Please watch this neopixel basics Video

You can download .stl, animations codes,test code from here

After uploading code to Arduino should use a 1.5-ampere power supply.Becauseat maximum brightness a neopixel led draws around 60 mA current .we have total 25 LEDs so 25*60=1.5A

Step 8: Future Plans

Planing to make a easy software to generate code
Bluetooth connectivity and controlling

Thanks....

Introduction: RGB LED MATRIX USING NEOPIXEL