Hi all. So I managed, with my teensy 3 to get about 450 of our LEDS lit and working. So far so good Next issue Im having is the effect we are trying to create only works when you squint :S I should explain further - we are looking at creating a pixelated version of āclassicā images that are recognisible from a distance. with a 30 x 30 grid its relatively possible. Take a look at this:
Now when one squints, I think tw things happen. Things get darker and lights appear smeared and closer together. The problem we are having are the lights are too discrete and also, they are on a white background. We havent found a diffuser we relaly like yet. White and semi transparent white perspex doesnt seem to cut it. Im debating using a black background with a grey perspex diffuser to see if that makes any difference. One thing to note is the darks in this image do not come out very well (as youād expect with light). Does anyone here have any thoughts on what might work?
@Daniel_Garcia has done some great diffusion effects using a sheet of styrofoam.
Me, Iāve had success using various fabrics for diffusion over large areas like that. Bring a few pixels and a battery pack down to the local fabric store and experiment.
I have have used āPing-Pongā balls cut in half in the past to diffuse each light, rather than trying to defuse the panel. This was pre-LED strips by the way!
Try transparent gray acrylic with a white diffusion layer in the back. If you search for the pixel v2 kickstarter project, thatās what they are doing, using a transparent white acrylic layer for diffusion. I prefer less light bleed between pixels and used a sheet of copy paper for diffusion behind gray acrylic. You can get good dark colors this way.
One other thing that you will want to do for diffusion is provide some space between the leds and the diffusion. This will allow for more āblurā to occur, as the 5050ās throw out at about 120 degrees.
Rosco filters are very good. Pricey for what they are. Donāt really need filters that survive the high temperatures of theatrical lights for use with LEDs. Damn good and stable filters though.
I use a white TShirt (for wearables) or just paperā¦ Hereās just a paper napkin showing the contract difference (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gfrGbHAfMTk) Basically the points of light are too bright and focused to discern colourā¦
paper is a really interesting idea I think. Iāve noticed that the response is not that accurate. For example, orange needs less green and more red to appear orange (for example) so I think I need to fix that first. But yes, diffusers will make a difference there too. Iāll get some different papers and see whats what
Cheers!
Next issue Im having is the effect we are trying to create only works when you squint :S I should explain further - we are looking at creating a pixelated version of āclassicā images that are recognisible from a distance. with a 30 x 30 grid its relatively possible. Take a look at this: