The fonts in SmartMatrix could use some improvements. I'm collecting a list of updates to make, please let me know if you have anything to add.

• Only compile in fonts that are used by the Sketch. Also allow user to add their own font without modifying the library.
  • Have sketch refer to font by a pointer to the font object instead of an enum.
• Consider switching from using bitmaps to more space efficient BDF, like PJRC's graphics library does
• Support >8-pixel wide fonts
• change bdf2c lookup table to use unsigned char instead of unsigned short
• See Issue #47

https://github.com/pixelmatix/SmartMatrix/tree/sm3.0

I'm working on a major revision to the SmartMatrix Library that simplifies the SmartMatrix Class into just refreshing the display, and moves the foreground and background layers into separate Layer classes. Instead of using a unique header file to describe the hardware, the configuration is set in the user's sketch, so you can have one version of the library and use it with different sizes of displays. You can create your own Layer outside of the library - for example I made a Fadecandy Layer class that I used to convert the buffers from a port of Fadecandy to SmartMatrix - and you can make your own stackup of layers, with multiple Foreground layers for example.

This requires a lot more code to set up the classes in the sketch, which I was trying to minimize with the initial release of the library, but I think this more flexible approach supports more use cases. The code is hidden away by using a couple #defines that support the most common use cases, and we can add more. I chose to declare buffers in the sketch instead of using malloc in the classes as I wanted the large buffers to show up in memory usage at the end of compilation, and there's no malloc support for creating DMAMEM buffers.

After separating into classes, refactoring to be more generic (no dependencies on MATRIX_WIDTH/HEIGHT defines) and testing on both 16x32 and 32x32 panels, I found the classes worked with 32x64 with barely any changes. I didn't get a chance to use any code from the >32x32 size pull requests from @ncortot, @GaryBoone, and @mrwastl, though maybe I will when adding support for C-shape chaining.

I have the library in a decent state, and FeatureDemo has been tested on 16x32, 32x32, and 32x64 panels. There's an occasional flicker in the 32x64 I haven't tracked down yet. Only the FeatureDemo example is updated to use the new library, though it should be easy to update the rest. (Except for FastLED_Controller, which will need an update to the FastLED Library with SmartMatrix 3.x support)

It's probably a month or more away from an official release as I'm going to be traveling without a laptop for a couple weeks, and want to add support for more display configurations (especially C-shape paneling), to do more testing, and make some efficiency improvements after I get back.

If there are any other features you'd like to see in the next major release, let's start discussing.

Not yet supported:

• C-shape paneling for >32-pixel height
• 24-bit (or fewer) color - this is probably best handled through C++ templates which I haven't used before, and isn't a high priority for me, let me know if it is for you (@mrwastl)
• FastLED_Controller example

Hello:

It's possible config SmartMatrix to work with a Led panel 192 x 64 pixel ?, I do this Led panel with 3 x 64*64 pixel led panels, 1/32 Scan, HUB75E.

Kind Regards

I have 8 16x32 panels arranged in the following pattern (note I've also called matrix.setRotation(rotation90)):

imgur images

However, the third row is mirrored (it's meant to read 'KLIP'). I am currently using SMARTMATRIX_OPTIONS_C_SHAPE_STACKING, but have also tried SMARTMATRIX_OPTIONS_NONE and SMARTMATRIX_OPTIONS_BOTTOM_TO_TOP_STACKING (and combinations of those).

Is there any way I can mirror the third row in software?

When using NeoPixels on ESP32 with https://github.com/samguyer/FastLED
everything works fine.
When using https://github.com/FastLED/FastLED instead, SmartMatrix crashes.

Normally I'd blame FastLED but the crash is in SmartMatrix. I'm not very familiar with ESP32 crashes/panics. Are they usually correct about which library is at fault when both cores are used, or could the problem very well be a bug in FastLED master that is fixed in Sam Guyer's branch?

This is not a must fix for me, I'm fine using Sam's ESP32 branch which probably is better/more up to date, but I'm filing this bug in case it points to a problem in SmartMatrix.

Guru Meditation Error: Core 1 panic’ed (Interrupt wdt timeout on CPU1)
PC: 0x400d0f84: SMLayerBackground ::swapBuffers(bool) at /home/merlin/Arduino/libraries/SmartMatrix_ESP32/src/Layer_Background_Impl.h line 921
EXCVADDR: 0x00000000

Decoding stack results
0x400d0f84: SMLayerBackground ::swapBuffers(bool) at /home/merlin/Arduino/libraries/SmartMatrix_ESP32/src/Layer_Background_Impl.h line 921
0x400d1c3c: loop() at /home/merlin/arduino/libraries/SmartMatrix_ESP32/examples/DemoFastLED/DemoFastLED.ino line 163
0x400e7806: loopTask(void*) at /home/merlin/Arduino/hardware/espressif/esp32/cores/esp32/main.cpp line 17

Code:
https://github.com/marcmerlin/SmartMatrix/blob/teensylc/examples/DemoFastLED/DemoFastLED.ino

The parentheses in the two lines that do brightness calculation in FeatureDemo.ino are in the wrong place:

const int defaultBrightness = 100*(255/100); // full brightness
//const int defaultBrightness = 15*(255/100); // dim: 15% brightness

should be:

const int defaultBrightness = (100255)/10); // full brightness
//const int defaultBrightness = (15255)/100; // dim: 15% brightness

Or you can just leave out the parentheses.

I have some panels from Meiyad that in one batch worked, but in the new batch the image slowly gets worse from panel to panel. Meiyad reproduce the issue, and found a workaround was to slow the data clock to < 5MHz.

I have been tweaking the values in SmartMatrix_Impl.h and MatrixHardwareKit.h, as well as modifying the F_BUS and F_CPU speeds (by providing it both as a PLATFORMIO_BUILD_FLAG and platformio.ini board_f_cpu rate, the newest platformio overrides F_CPU using a default board_f_cpu value).

I have been able to reduce the CPU speed to reduce the distortion, but cannot get low enough to avoid the issue, as going too low breaks USB. I have been checking against the values in mk20dx128.c to use F_CPU and F_BUS rates that are supported.

Using an oscilloscope, it seems the clock value is based on the F_CPU rate and not the F_BUS rate, but is oddly F_CPU / 18. Not sure where the 18 comes from, but if I could increase that, I could leave the CPU rate alone and just slow the data clock to the panel.

Given what the branch is today, maybe rename it smartmatrixng ?
It's not very obvious to use a teensylc branch for esp32, especially if the branch doesn't work on teensylc (not sure about that part)

Is there a way to create additional indexed layers in a sketch? Or even multiple background layers? I'm building an EV dashboard and I'm using the colors of variables to also indicate their value. Thanks.

Hi,
I´m using the IDE 1.8.5 and Teensyduino 1.42 on OSX and can´t get the Features Demo to work on a teensy 3.6 at 180Mhz. It compiles fine but seems to end in an infinite loop in backgroundLayer.swapBuffers(); because the buffer state is always pending. Any idea what is going wrong ?

@embedded-creations:

i'd have two suggestion for smartmatrix:

• would it be possible to add a version information? (#define's)
  eg:
  #define SMARTMATRIX_VERSION_MAJOR 3
#define SMARTMATRIX_VERSION_MINOR 1

  plus optionally:
  #define SMARTMATRIX_VERSION_BRANCH colourspaces

• (public) access to layer buffer or pixel information for all three layer-types

  • background layer has:
    • RGB* backBuffer()
    • const RGB readPixel(x, y)
    • RGB* getRealBackBuffer()
  • scolling layer has:
    • `uint8_t* scollingBitmap;
  • indexed layer has:
    • nothing :(

  at least access to the bitmap information for all three types would be fine, readPixel() would be even better. especially indexed layer is missing this functionality.

background:

i'm currently developing a framework on top of smartmatrix3 that uses panes for displaying information - and these make heavy use of sm3's layer drawing functions.

the defines would be handy for en/disabling features in the framework according to the smartmatrix-version/branch used.

the API of my new toy is currently stabilising and i hope that i'm able to release a somewhat usable version at github soon.

I looked for a DMAChannel library and could not find one. Does it come from outside of the SmartMatrix library folder?

In file included from C:\Users\Englert\Documents\Arduino\libraries\SmartMatrix3\src/SmartMatrix3.h:167:0,

             from C:\Users\Englert\AppData\Local\Temp\arduino_modified_sketch_327038\SmartMatrix.ino:1:

C:\Users\Englert\Documents\Arduino\libraries\SmartMatrix3\src/SmartMatrix_Impl.h:26:24: fatal error: DMAChannel.h: No such file or directory

#include "DMAChannel.h"

                    ^

compilation terminated.

exit status 1
Error compiling for board Arduino/Genuino Mega or Mega 2560.
.

http://community.pixelmatix.com/t/horizontal-update-tearing/94/17?u=louis

Hello.

I need play videos with 128x32 resolution. I have do the animated GIF, but when I config kMatrixWidth with 128 and run, screen show message "No gifs directory".

With same SD card, same files, if I coinfig kMatrixWidth with 32 or 64, then play video but only 32x32, 4 times in screen and only part of the animation screen of the animated GIF.

So, how may I config software to play 128x32 animated GIF videos ?.
My led panels are two P2.5, 64x32 piexel, Scan 1/16 chained.

Thank you and kind regards.

Please help me.

From Álvaro Monares G.

I had improve the fonts using fonts from any size (width and height), but there is at least a backward compatibility. For instance getBitmapFontRowAtXY I add the X value.
I have try this on a panel 64(width)x32(height) and works, now I don't have the panels so can't continue testing.

It seem to work ok, I also change the location variable at getBitmapFontLocation on MatrixFont.cpp, it was static I remove the static keyword.

SmartMatrix-src.zip

Consider inline for functions only used once in ISR, like circular buffer operations

I am using a brand new SmartMatrix3 shield and the FeatureDemo won't compile in the Arduino IDE. I can run other sketches on the Teensy 3.2 board but none of the SmartMatrix3 library examples are compiling. I've tried different Teensy boards in the IDE as well as clock speeds. Nothing seems to work. I'm building a dashboard for an electric motorcycle build using a 64x32 P3 array from Adafruit.

Error messages attached.
TeensyError.txt

Hi!

I just finally got a 64x64 matrix (this one: https://www.aliexpress.com/item/xxx-pictures-indoor-led-video-screen-module-power-supply-controller-led-rgb-matrix-p2-128mmx-128mm/32854261443.html?spm=a2g0s.9042311.0.0.36ad4c4dqlWTlq) and it works just fine with the v4 board!

I noticed one problem though, for some reason my colour channels are shifted (red is blue, green is red, blue is green). I'm assuming this is because of hardware differences between different panels, I'd be happy to look into adding some configuration for that but am unsure where to start looking. Do you have any pointers or ideas where this might be most easily fixed?

Cheers
Rob

As discussed on https://community.pixelmatix.com/t/pretty-terrible-flicker-at-64x64-with-teensy-3-2/338 , it's easy to hit compute or memory limits on a teensy 3.[012]. Those would be alleviated by offering fewer bits per pixel and having to do less PWM work.

On Teensy 3.6, once you go to 128x128, you also can't get the full refresh rate for the same reason, but you would get closer to it with only 16bpp.

http://community.pixelmatix.com/t/problem-with-smartmatrix-library-and-another-led-strip/184/8

FastLED includes a SMART_MATRIX controller, which assumes the display is a fixed 32x32 size.

This should really be a FastLED issue, but it's up to us to submit a pull request.

See http://community.pixelmatix.com/t/drawstring-is-limited-to-10-characters/311/2

Is this leftover from when 32x32 was the max display size?

Base max length on the largest dimension of the display max(width, height)?

Issue from @craiglindley:

I have a corner case for you. I'm playing around with code that draws geometric shapes on the SmartMatrix using parameters that are randomly generated. If I generate a filled triangle with vertices at:

x1: 16
y1: 16
x2: 16
y2: 16
x3: 16
y3: 16

The triangle drawing code hangs and never comes back. I've attached a short sketch that illustrates the problem

#include "SmartMatrix_32x32.h"

// Create instance of matrix
SmartMatrix matrix;

rgb24 red;

/*******************************************************************/
/***                     Main Program Setup                     ***/
/*******************************************************************/

void setup() {

    // Setup serial interface
    Serial.begin(115200);

    // Wait for serial interface to settle
    delay(2000);

    // Initialize 32x32 LED Matrix
    matrix.begin();
    matrix.setBrightness(100);
    matrix.setColorCorrection(cc24);

    // Clear screen
#if (USE_ALPHA_MIXING == 1)
    matrix.fillScreen({0, 0, 0, 255});
    red = {255, 0, 0, 128};
#else
    matrix.fillScreen({0, 0, 0});
    red = {255, 0, 0};

#endif
    matrix.swapBuffers();

}

/*******************************************************************/
/***                      Main Program Loop                      ***/
/*******************************************************************/

void loop() {

    Serial.println("starting up");

    int x1 = 16;
    int y1 = 16;
    int x2 = 16;
    int y2 = 16;
    int x3 = 16;
    int y3 = 16;

    // Draw triangle
    Serial.println("begin drawing triangle");
    matrix.drawTriangle(x1, y1, x2, y2, x3, y3, red);
    Serial.println("end drawing triangle");
    matrix.swapBuffers();

    delay(2000);

    Serial.println("begin drawing filled triangle");
    matrix.fillTriangle(x1, y1, x2, y2, x3, y3, red);

    // Will never get here

    Serial.println("end drawing filled triangle");
    matrix.swapBuffers();

    while (true) {
        ;
    }
}

Text only scrolled in left most panel. ncortot's patches fixed this issue. Text now scrolls full 16x64. Thanks ncortot.

Hello !

OS: Linux Mint 17.1
Board: ESP32 Wrover-B DevKitV4
Display: 2727 SMD P5 64x32

I am having trouble finding a LED library that will work with me-no-dev's ESPAsyncWebServer library.
I believe that library also accesses RAM. And this library also accesses RAM.

I've tried PxMatrix and I wasn't able to make it work with ESPAsyncWebServer.

Do you have any idea if this will work ?

Thank you !

I don't know why my arduino (1.6.4) win installed FastLED lib along with SmartMatrix_32x32 & LEDMatrix can compile well and issue the following compile error, any help really appreciated

D:\arduino-1.6.4-windows\arduino-1.6.4\libraries\FastLED_3.1.0/FastLED.h: In static member function 'static CLEDController& CFastLED::addLeds(CRGB*, int, int)':
D:\arduino-1.6.4-windows\arduino-1.6.4\libraries\FastLED_3.1.0/FastLED.h:326:32: error: 'CSmartMatrixController' does not name a type
case SMART_MATRIX: { static CSmartMatrixController controller; return addLeds(&controller, data, nLedsOrOffset, nLedsIfOffset); }
^
D:\arduino-1.6.4-windows\arduino-1.6.4\libraries\FastLED_3.1.0/FastLED.h:326:83: error: 'controller' was not declared in this scope
case SMART_MATRIX: { static CSmartMatrixController controller; return addLeds(&controller, data, nLedsOrOffset, nLedsIfOffset); }

Sadly, my colors are incorrect with 64x64 on teensy3.6 and SmartLEDShieldV4.h

They are very very yellow-ish. Not at all matching the colors from my GIFs.

Any idea how to fix such issue?

Thanks x100

Part of @mrwastl 's #17
mrwastl@a85836f

there are 64x64 HUB75 panels that only have A & B address lines.

The Raspberry pi LED driver project has added support for these panels, I would like to drive the same panels with my Smart Matrix V4 board,

see this commit as an example.

hzeller/rpi-rgb-led-matrix@829d40e

Hey, guys. I bought some 64x32 panels from amazon, got a teensey 3.6 and smartshield v4, hooked everything up( I think, the correct way) and nothing. Plenty of power, code compiles( using the Feature Demo sketch) Loader seems to program, but display does not come on. Without the Teensey/Shield installed, you can touch the pins on the matrix and get a reaction, so I dont think its DOA. Even tried 2 different panels with the same results. Is there something I am missing? Sorry if its a dumb question, but Im a total NOOB to this matrix thing. Any help would be great.

Conversation from Dangerous Prototypes Blog:
http://dangerousprototypes.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=56&t=6125&start=105#p58235
http://dangerousprototypes.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=56&t=6125&sid=005065f89fe07c31d5c89eb38d0ae660&p=58296#p58294

Instead of just
void drawString(int16_t x, int16_t y, rgb24 charColor, const char text[]);

Let's make an overloaded function that includes rgb24 backgroundColor in addition to charColor. The drawing function will fill each pixel for each char with the backgroundColor and then put charColor on top.

Before I embark on a project, I'm wanting to check if this library is compatible with the Teensy 3.5 or 3.6?

Thanks!

Part of @mrwastl's #17
mrwastl@a85836f
mrwastl@a280bf6

http://community.pixelmatix.com/t/teensy-3-6-external-ds1307-rtc/187/7

http://community.pixelmatix.com/t/horizontal-update-tearing/94/17?u=louis

I've included code to test this out:

Receiving code:

include "SmartMatrix_32x32.h"

SmartMatrix matrix;

void setup()
{
Serial1.begin(115200);
Serial.begin(9600);
}

void loop()
{
if(Serial1.available())
{
char c = Serial1.read();
Serial.print(c);
}

if(Serial.available())
{
char c = Serial.read();
Serial.print(c);
matrix.begin();
}
}

Sender code:

void setup()
{
Serial1.begin(115200);
Serial.begin(9600);
}

int count = 0;

void loop()
{
String x = "Hi there. This is a test message send to the Teensy please.\n";
Serial1.println(count);
count++;
for(int i = 0; i < x.length(); i++)
Serial1.print(x.charAt(i));

  delay(2000);

}

Note that when you enter in character into Serial, it calls matrix.begin() and all messages after that call are never received. I've also contacted Paul S on the Teensy forum (http://forum.pjrc.com/threads/26325-Issues-w-SmartMatrix-Library-Teensy-3-1)

The SmartMatrix library is still running as it refreshes the display in the background, but the application loop appears to hang

pixelmatix/AnimatedGIFs#26

I had already made a board, with my own I2S parallel HUB75 driver, and this board also works with ESP_Sprite's code/driver.

However, it seems I cannot use GPIO0 for any of the I2S signals (my board uses GPIO0<->OE) with SmartMatrix teensylc branch. All other signals seem fine on a logic analyzer (I tested re-assigning to another pin and it looked like the correct signal.) It just won't work on GPIO0 (outputs just a logic high the whole time)

Not really an issue but hoping you can help..

Im wanting to make a clock that has the time displayed while playing animated gifs at the same time behind the time maybe one every 30 seconds or so.. Would this be difficult to achieve ? Some pointers on where to start would be very much appreciated if you have the time.

Thanks
Daniel

e.g. what's in Aurora, or @mrwastl's #17
mrwastl@9f54942

Would it be possible to implement a 1/4 scan mod for the 16x32 outdoor hub75 matrix ?

Regards,

HCF

Idea from Noel Bundy: "Maybe set up some defines to enable/disable fonts? I can see them taking up a fair chunk of space."

Most of the MatrixForeground methods are hard coded to only operate on the first uint32 of the array i.e. the first screen segment for wider displays. I may take a look at fixing them because it isn't much code, but here's an issue for it just in case it takes me a while.

colorCorrection(const RGB_IN& in, rgb24& out) is using the low bits of the table rather than the high:

fix would be changing the local to rgb48:
template
void colorCorrection(const RGB_IN& in, rgb24& out) {
out = rgb48(lightPowerMap16bit[in.red],
lightPowerMap16bit[in.green],
lightPowerMap16bit[in.blue]);
}

or simply skipping the local:
template
void colorCorrection(const RGB_IN& in, rgb24& out) {
out.red = lightPowerMap16bit[in.red] >> 8;
out.green = lightPowerMap16bit[in.green] >> 8;
out.blue = lightPowerMap16bit[in.blue] >> 8;
}

Sorry to not make a pull request, seemed like too much effort for one line.

right now the character partially hitting the edge isn't drawn

Hi,

I found that the library fails at higher panel sizes because
matrixUpdateFrames = (frameStruct *)heap_caps_malloc(sizeof(frameStruct) * ESP32_NUM_FRAME_BUFFERS, MALLOC_CAP_DMA);
returns 0 and therefore the DMA engine does not start sending data.

There are a few other places where assert() is used after malloc without checking the return value.

Optimizing some other tasks (memory-wise) allows me to drive a 64x96 matrix with RGB24. 64x128 still does not work :(