# Pixelblaze Academy of Wizardry and Enchantment **URL:** https://forum.electromage.com/c/patterns-and-code/pixelblaze-academy-of-wizardry-and-enchantment/11.md [Latest](https://forum.electromage.com/latest.md) · [Categories](https://forum.electromage.com/categories.md) · [Tags](https://forum.electromage.com/tags.md) --- ## [About the Pixelblaze Academy of Wizardry and Enchantment category](https://forum.electromage.com/t/about-the-pixelblaze-academy-of-wizardry-and-enchantment-category/935)
**Author:** [@wizard](https://forum.electromage.com/u/wizard)\ **Replies:** 0
Welcome to the Pixelblaze Academy of Wizardry and Enchantment! If you want to learn how to code for pixels, you’ve come to the right place! Here we will host coding challenges and learning assignments! Inspiration for … --- ## [Pixelblaze for Beginners - a tutorial syllabus](https://forum.electromage.com/t/pixelblaze-for-beginners-a-tutorial-syllabus/1679)
**Author:** [@Scruffynerf](https://forum.electromage.com/u/Scruffynerf)\ **Replies:** 3\ **Last updated:** [September 7, 2025, 5:26pm UTC](https://forum.electromage.com/t/pixelblaze-for-beginners-a-tutorial-syllabus/1679 "2025-09-07T17:26:38Z")
Heavily influenced by the expression doc, found at the bottom of the PB editor (and in github) This is a first pass at a tutorial lesson plan, very subject to change… it’ll start with the most basics, and then flesh out… --- ## [Challenge Idea: All The Colors (Rainbow Smoke)](https://forum.electromage.com/t/challenge-idea-all-the-colors-rainbow-smoke/3531)
**Author:** [@JasonCoon](https://forum.electromage.com/u/JasonCoon)\ **Replies:** 14\ **Last updated:** [May 13, 2024, 3:56pm UTC](https://forum.electromage.com/t/challenge-idea-all-the-colors-rainbow-smoke/3531 "2024-05-13T15:56:04Z")
Apologies if this isn’t the right place for this, or if it’s already been suggested/requested. I searched but didn’t find anything. I’ve been trying to port “Rainbow Smoke” to Pixelblaze, unsuccessfully, and wondered i… --- ## [Pixelblaze for Beginners - Lesson #1 - The Little Engine that could](https://forum.electromage.com/t/pixelblaze-for-beginners-lesson-1-the-little-engine-that-could/1716)
**Author:** [@Scruffynerf](https://forum.electromage.com/u/Scruffynerf)\ **Replies:** 12\ **Last updated:** [February 6, 2024, 7:04pm UTC](https://forum.electromage.com/t/pixelblaze-for-beginners-lesson-1-the-little-engine-that-could/1716 "2024-02-06T19:04:00Z")
Welcome to this series of tutorial lessons on the Pixelblaze. Feedback is always welcomed, especially if something isn’t clear. Eventually, these lessons will be folded into a book. Lesson #1 - The Little Engine that … --- ## [Hue scapes based on true colors of fungi and lichen](https://forum.electromage.com/t/hue-scapes-based-on-true-colors-of-fungi-and-lichen/3051)
**Author:** [@jdhollan](https://forum.electromage.com/u/jdhollan)\ **Replies:** 0\ **Last updated:** [July 20, 2023, 1:21pm UTC](https://forum.electromage.com/t/hue-scapes-based-on-true-colors-of-fungi-and-lichen/3051 "2023-07-20T13:21:34Z")
Looking for a way to represent slowly fading colors of mushrooms, fungi and lichen in nature. The setup is an opaque glass ball with concentric rings of varying depth and radius. An AI element would be nice to add. HD1… --- ## [Task #15: Playing with Fire](https://forum.electromage.com/t/task-15-playing-with-fire/1225)
**Author:** [@Scruffynerf](https://forum.electromage.com/u/Scruffynerf)\ **Replies:** 10\ **Last updated:** [June 5, 2023, 1:15am UTC](https://forum.electromage.com/t/task-15-playing-with-fire/1225 "2023-06-05T01:15:25Z")
In racking my brain for Tasks, I realized that we’ve done water a few times, but no fire yet. So let’s make Fire the theme for this one. What, the sun is a big ball of fire? And we did that… Oh yeah… But… There are a… --- ## [Output expander duplicate channels](https://forum.electromage.com/t/output-expander-duplicate-channels/2959)
**Author:** [@barclander](https://forum.electromage.com/u/barclander)\ **Replies:** 2\ **Last updated:** [May 22, 2023, 7:25pm UTC](https://forum.electromage.com/t/output-expander-duplicate-channels/2959 "2023-05-22T19:25:01Z")
I think this is a bug, but it could easily be intentional for a reason I don’t understand. If I set up an output expander like this, I get a pixel count of 250: 0: start: 0, pixels: 100 1: start: 0, pixels: 100 2: st… --- ## [Zig zag wiring and pixel maps](https://forum.electromage.com/t/zig-zag-wiring-and-pixel-maps/2878)
**Author:** [@dm80218](https://forum.electromage.com/u/dm80218)\ **Replies:** 6\ **Last updated:** [April 15, 2023, 11:06pm UTC](https://forum.electromage.com/t/zig-zag-wiring-and-pixel-maps/2878 "2023-04-15T23:06:20Z")
Hi guys, I’m working on a new portal for Colorado burning man this year with more LEDs and switching to APA102s from the WS2012s I used last year. I used the output expander last year but this time due to the APA102s I … --- ## [Build your own Output Expander Firmware!](https://forum.electromage.com/t/build-your-own-output-expander-firmware/2468)
**Author:** [@zranger1](https://forum.electromage.com/u/zranger1)\ **Replies:** 14\ **Last updated:** [March 22, 2023, 12:00am UTC](https://forum.electromage.com/t/build-your-own-output-expander-firmware/2468 "2023-03-22T00:00:37Z")
It makes me a little uncomfortable, telling people, “go ye, change what code you will and flash then thine own firmware. Easy!”, when I haven’t done it myself. Even though I theoretically know how, I had never actually… --- ## [General coding concept, layered effects](https://forum.electromage.com/t/general-coding-concept-layered-effects/2780)
**Author:** [@Robinlawrie](https://forum.electromage.com/u/Robinlawrie)\ **Replies:** 1\ **Last updated:** [February 8, 2023, 4:39pm UTC](https://forum.electromage.com/t/general-coding-concept-layered-effects/2780 "2023-02-08T16:39:16Z")
I have a vague idea for a pattern I’d like to attempt, using bits and pieces cobbled together from existing examples… However as a a general concept, how does one approach having effects /patterns shown “on top” of each… --- ## [Caterpillar walk in pixels](https://forum.electromage.com/t/caterpillar-walk-in-pixels/2701)
**Author:** [@jdhollan](https://forum.electromage.com/u/jdhollan)\ **Replies:** 6\ **Last updated:** [January 15, 2023, 5:20pm UTC](https://forum.electromage.com/t/caterpillar-walk-in-pixels/2701 "2023-01-15T17:20:03Z")
Hello coder magicians, i am looking for a pattern based on (or inspired by) the caterpillar walk as demonstrated in this video \[Gut Check: Caterpillars Walk Gut First - YouTube\] Someone can help me out? --- ## [Task #9: Here Comes/Goes the Sun](https://forum.electromage.com/t/task-9-here-comes-goes-the-sun/1110)
**Author:** [@Scruffynerf](https://forum.electromage.com/u/Scruffynerf)\ **Replies:** 13\ **Last updated:** [November 15, 2022, 12:06am UTC](https://forum.electromage.com/t/task-9-here-comes-goes-the-sun/1110 "2022-11-15T00:06:47Z")
It’s signs of spring here in the Northern Hemisphere… And likely signs of the fall in the Southern… In honor of the change in daylight hours, let’s do a sunset /sunrise… There are plenty of rainbow patterns… but what … --- ## [LED Portal finally live after 3 years](https://forum.electromage.com/t/led-portal-finally-live-after-3-years/2361)
**Author:** [@dm80218](https://forum.electromage.com/u/dm80218)\ **Replies:** 5\ **Last updated:** [July 26, 2022, 12:02am UTC](https://forum.electromage.com/t/led-portal-finally-live-after-3-years/2361 "2022-07-26T00:02:14Z")
Finally got my Pixelblaze project up and running after almost 3 years of working on it, and postponed events due to covid. I had posted some simulations of it (whch are also on the Youtube site) on here long ago, Fina… --- ## [Task #13: The wheels on the pattern go round and round](https://forum.electromage.com/t/task-13-the-wheels-on-the-pattern-go-round-and-round/1189)
**Author:** [@Scruffynerf](https://forum.electromage.com/u/Scruffynerf)\ **Replies:** 11\ **Last updated:** [May 29, 2022, 5:38pm UTC](https://forum.electromage.com/t/task-13-the-wheels-on-the-pattern-go-round-and-round/1189 "2022-05-29T17:38:13Z")
For lucky #13, we’re going to focus on a particular function. This came up in a discussion on synchronizing patterns between multiple PBs, but the key piece is so important to understanding a vital part of PB, it’s wort… --- ## [Time to begin a new series of How to Program](https://forum.electromage.com/t/time-to-begin-a-new-series-of-how-to-program/1662)
**Author:** [@Scruffynerf](https://forum.electromage.com/u/Scruffynerf)\ **Replies:** 27\ **Last updated:** [January 9, 2022, 8:01pm UTC](https://forum.electromage.com/t/time-to-begin-a-new-series-of-how-to-program/1662 "2022-01-09T20:01:20Z")
Ok, Fall has arrived and with it, I want to start a new series of tutorials geared toward the newbie programmers. Please help me to figure out the level at which we should begin. poll --- ## [Task #12: Signs of new life](https://forum.electromage.com/t/task-12-signs-of-new-life/1170)
**Author:** [@Scruffynerf](https://forum.electromage.com/u/Scruffynerf)\ **Replies:** 14\ **Last updated:** [December 17, 2021, 8:25pm UTC](https://forum.electromage.com/t/task-12-signs-of-new-life/1170 "2021-12-17T20:25:31Z")
As part of doing the Sunrise task, @zranger1 built a object focused framework, so his planets/etc would move around the sun. I still need/want to turn that into a more generic solution, enabling “boids” and other indepe… --- ## [Sound Tools - Noise Gate](https://forum.electromage.com/t/sound-tools-noise-gate/1723)
**Author:** [@zranger1](https://forum.electromage.com/u/zranger1)\ **Replies:** 1\ **Last updated:** [November 12, 2021, 4:50pm UTC](https://forum.electromage.com/t/sound-tools-noise-gate/1723 "2021-11-12T16:50:06Z")
I’ve been having such fun playing with @jeff’s music sequencer for sound reactive patterns, I thought I’d contribute some of my own sound toolkit. A few weeks ago, I mentioned noise gates as a way to keep from amplifyi… --- ## [Task #10 - April Showers bring Flowers](https://forum.electromage.com/t/task-10-april-showers-bring-flowers/1139)
**Author:** [@Scruffynerf](https://forum.electromage.com/u/Scruffynerf)\ **Replies:** 7\ **Last updated:** [November 5, 2021, 10:38pm UTC](https://forum.electromage.com/t/task-10-april-showers-bring-flowers/1139 "2021-11-05T22:38:46Z")
As spring continues to arrive, I’m looking forward to greenery. But instead, it’s been windy and rainy. This week, show us Rain, drops falling in a 2d space (as opposed to Task #2 - Be like Water which was just in a li… --- ## [Task #6: Enter the Matrix](https://forum.electromage.com/t/task-6-enter-the-matrix/1062)
**Author:** [@Scruffynerf](https://forum.electromage.com/u/Scruffynerf)\ **Replies:** 9\ **Last updated:** [April 5, 2021, 10:08pm UTC](https://forum.electromage.com/t/task-6-enter-the-matrix/1062 "2021-04-05T22:08:57Z")
Welcome to Task #6. This will require a matrix panel, or equivalent, of at least 8x8 (larger is fine) We’re going to start easy: Render2D requires a map, that puts all pixels into x and y coordinates. So you can effe… --- ## [\[1D Horizontal\] Halloween pattern contest](https://forum.electromage.com/t/1d-horizontal-halloween-pattern-contest/1519)
**Author:** [@Scruffynerf](https://forum.electromage.com/u/Scruffynerf)\ **Replies:** 8\ **Last updated:** [October 28, 2021, 10:05pm UTC](https://forum.electromage.com/t/1d-horizontal-halloween-pattern-contest/1519 "2021-10-28T22:05:07Z")
Seems like we have enough time for a contest before Halloween. As asked for here, let’s come up with as many 1D Halloween patterns as we can, but they have to look good HORIZONTAL… So columns of dripping blood or ooze,… --- ## [Beginner's question](https://forum.electromage.com/t/beginners-question/1675)
**Author:** [@kuu\_neru](https://forum.electromage.com/u/kuu_neru)\ **Replies:** 9\ **Last updated:** [October 26, 2021, 11:04am UTC](https://forum.electromage.com/t/beginners-question/1675 "2021-10-26T11:04:39Z")
I can’t speak English, so I use translation software. It may be strange English, but please forgive me. I don’t understand the basics. 10 LEDs are lined up. How do you fill in the program that lights only the 4th one… --- ## [Porting GLSL Shaders: Example #0](https://forum.electromage.com/t/porting-glsl-shaders-example-0/1417)
**Author:** [@zranger1](https://forum.electromage.com/u/zranger1)\ **Replies:** 5\ **Last updated:** [August 15, 2021, 4:19pm UTC](https://forum.electromage.com/t/porting-glsl-shaders-example-0/1417 "2021-08-15T16:19:44Z")
Here’s a short example that shows that illustrates how relatively simple it is to port a GLSL shader to Pixelblaze. Clearly, this isn’t the most complex shader out there, but it demonstrates the basic issues you’ll enco… --- ## [Task #18 - Circular Reasoning](https://forum.electromage.com/t/task-18-circular-reasoning/1284)
**Author:** [@Scruffynerf](https://forum.electromage.com/u/Scruffynerf)\ **Replies:** 1\ **Last updated:** [August 8, 2021, 2:25am UTC](https://forum.electromage.com/t/task-18-circular-reasoning/1284 "2021-08-08T02:25:39Z")
I was going to do a build onto Task #17, but nobody’s seeming all that into it, so… it’ll wait. So to continue the ‘works with a strip’ month of tasks… Take a strand (the size is up to you, but I’d recommend no bigger … --- ## [No Task this week](https://forum.electromage.com/t/no-task-this-week/1304)
**Author:** [@Scruffynerf](https://forum.electromage.com/u/Scruffynerf)\ **Replies:** 0\ **Last updated:** [June 12, 2021, 9:43pm UTC](https://forum.electromage.com/t/no-task-this-week/1304 "2021-06-12T21:43:42Z")
Taking a break for a bit. I’m going to review which previous tasks got people interested, and iterate a bit. Nothing is stopping people from taking on older ones, and when I start again, it’ll be with a fresh take on t… --- ## [Color blending beyond rgb/hsv](https://forum.electromage.com/t/color-blending-beyond-rgb-hsv/1277)
**Author:** [@aaroneous](https://forum.electromage.com/u/aaroneous)\ **Replies:** 1\ **Last updated:** [June 3, 2021, 2:01pm UTC](https://forum.electromage.com/t/color-blending-beyond-rgb-hsv/1277 "2021-06-03T14:01:43Z")
RGB and HSV blending often make me grumpy with the results :laughing: Has anyone tried blending in other color spaces? Most importantly… implemented in Javascript and/or benchmarked in blaze-js? A few references… with … --- ## [Code for Task #1 - Random Random Roger Roger!](https://forum.electromage.com/t/code-for-task-1-random-random-roger-roger/952)
**Author:** [@Scruffynerf](https://forum.electromage.com/u/Scruffynerf)\ **Replies:** 47\ **Last updated:** [June 3, 2021, 3:59am UTC](https://forum.electromage.com/t/code-for-task-1-random-random-roger-roger/952 "2021-06-03T03:59:24Z")
If you want to post snippets here, that way we can avoid spoilers for people still working the Task. --- ## [Code for Task #2 - No early leaks!](https://forum.electromage.com/t/code-for-task-2-no-early-leaks/970)
**Author:** [@Scruffynerf](https://forum.electromage.com/u/Scruffynerf)\ **Replies:** 14\ **Last updated:** [June 3, 2021, 1:00am UTC](https://forum.electromage.com/t/code-for-task-2-no-early-leaks/970 "2021-06-03T01:00:04Z")
You are welcome to post your Task #2 - Be like Water solutions here. Please keep the original post free of code so new people can work through it themselves if they wish. Keep this focused on basic techniques to solve … --- ## [Taking a week off Task-wise](https://forum.electromage.com/t/taking-a-week-off-task-wise/1263)
**Author:** [@Scruffynerf](https://forum.electromage.com/u/Scruffynerf)\ **Replies:** 0\ **Last updated:** [May 29, 2021, 9:32pm UTC](https://forum.electromage.com/t/taking-a-week-off-task-wise/1263 "2021-05-29T21:32:51Z")
Between the PRNG stuff, and I’m playing with boids code that isn’t quite right, and I still want to do graphtoy work, I’m taking a week off from Tasks. The Golden Tix Task, where all you need to submit is a single line … --- ## [Task #16: You're Golden! aka Task 16.180339](https://forum.electromage.com/t/task-16-youre-golden-aka-task-16-180339/1243)
**Author:** [@Scruffynerf](https://forum.electromage.com/u/Scruffynerf)\ **Replies:** 2\ **Last updated:** [May 23, 2021, 3:38am UTC](https://forum.electromage.com/t/task-16-youre-golden-aka-task-16-180339/1243 "2021-05-23T03:38:27Z")
Welcome to the 16th Task… Wow, 4 months have flow by… We did a month of 1D, and then switched to 2D patterns for a while. Based on requests, next week, we’ll switch back to 1D for a bit, but some of the tasks will invo… --- ## [Task #17: The golden tix!](https://forum.electromage.com/t/task-17-the-golden-tix/1255)
**Author:** [@Scruffynerf](https://forum.electromage.com/u/Scruffynerf)\ **Replies:** 0\ **Last updated:** [May 22, 2021, 3:58pm UTC](https://forum.electromage.com/t/task-17-the-golden-tix/1255 "2021-05-22T15:58:14Z")
Continuing the discussion from Task #14: May Flowers: @wizard suggested going back to some basics… so the next few weeks will be a different change of pace. We’re going back to 1d, so put away your LED panels and pull … [Next page](https://forum.electromage.com/c/patterns-and-code/pixelblaze-academy-of-wizardry-and-enchantment/11.md?page=1)