After the first blog, Lights up with blaze - RGB for RadiantGoofyBulbs with prerequisites checked out with the 1315050930246 LED part and bringing it up with FastLED library, its time to outline the full project and bring parts together.
Building RadiantGoofyBlubs - Custom LED Towers
Grand idea is to build RGB LED Light Towers, synchronizing to the display system using Wurth LEDs. The concept is simple - to capture the dominant colours from your screen in real time and reproduce them on LED bars placed near your monitor. This enhances immersion while watching videos, gaming, or even just setting a mood with dynamic lighting.
System Flow
- Prismatic Software runs on the laptop, analysing the display in real-time (more about the tool and functionality to be explained in the next blog)
- It transmits RGB colour data via UDP packets to the ESP8266
- The ESP8266, running WLED, receives these packets and updates the Wurth LED strip accordingly
- Two RGB LED tubes glow dynamically, reflecting the on-screen colours to create a synchronized ambient effect
Each LED bar contains 10 RGB LEDs, powered and driven by the ESP8266 through a common 5V supply. The LEDs are mounted inside transparent acrylic tubes with diffusers for smooth colour blending.
Software Stack
- Prismatic (PC app) for colour extraction
- Custom Firmware and WLED ESP8266 firmware for LED control
- Wi-Fi UDP Communication for real-time updates
Features
- Fully wireless, using Wi-Fi communication
- Real-time sync with low latency
- Customizable effects and brightness control
- Modular with easily expandable beyond two LED bars
The LED bars placed beside the laptop react instantly to screen changes, painting your desk in colors that match your movie, game, or music visuals.
Block diagram
In the upcoming blog, I'll go through the process of assembling LEDs, building mechanicals and putting the hardware together.
