Oh, I see, you want them to retain the colors as they are laid out in the image (I missed that before). If that’s the case, storing each pixel in an array with their assigned color values. You could then create a function similar to what I’d done that just turns them on/off or changes brightness over time, down the line.
Well that image is a still. The three dots travel around the head. With a separation 4 with no color and the row below is always two behind the one above it
In my case I’m doing a 6*6 so I’ll need 3 on being chased by 4 off
The amount of LEDs in the row shouldn’t matter from how I understand it. It just moves down the line in a constant loop.
The dot photo I provided is not accurate on dimensions it was something I had laying around to give an idea
The matrix was just an idea so I can set the areas without a light as " dead zones"
I contemplated running the proper amount of LEDs where the eyes and mouth are off to a non visible location to maintain an actual 27*16 or what ever box. But I found it hard to believe I couldn’t code dead areas
If you do decide to use a solid strip of pixels all the way across the eyes and mouth, you can code across as normal and then before calling http://FastLED.show() call a subroutine that sets the pixels in the eyes and mouth zones to color black (ie. off). This may or may not be the look you’re after though. Easy enough to try out the idea though with one of you full length strips.
Also, here’s a “marquee” example if it helps with any ideas.
Ya I would just run wire up to the “top” of the helmet in a location that couldnt been seen although I dont want to do that…I may have to do that.