Programmable Christmas Tree Star

Bring some Raspberry Pi based festive cheer to your Christmas this year with the ModMyPi Christmas Star and bring your tree to life!

What's in this repository

This repository should be used by cloning the repo first using

git clone https://github.com/modmypi/Programmable-Christmas-Star

Which will give you a copy locally.

Inside there is a script called star.py which contains a GPIO Zero compatible code allowing you to simply create and use the Star with only a couple of lines of Python.

To switch on the Star you can use:

from star import Star

star = Star()

star.on()

There are several example files to shouw you what can be done with the star:

Example files

• all_on.py - turns on all of the LEDs.
• in_out.py - blinks the inner and outer ring of LEDs alternately.
• random_leds.py - turns on and off all the LEDs
• slow_walk.py - slowly walks around the LEDs increasing pace until they can't go any faster.
• twinkle.py - a pulsing walking pattern around the LEDs.

These files can all be run using: sudo python3 name_of_example.py

Star Commander

You can follow the tutorial on our website and learn how to use the Star Commander script.

This script allows you to command how the start glows from the command line over SSH. There are 4 built in modes (plus an off switch) to control the star with ease without having to climb the tree and attach a monitor each time.

Let us know how you get on with the Star and we hope you have a Merry Christmas.

SCRIPTS ajgbarnes additions

• cheerlights.py - shows a fixed number of LEDs per cheerlights value based on a modulus of a decimal conversion of the hex colour value
• cheerlights_random.py - shows a fixed number of random and pulsing LEDs based on a modulus of a decimal conversion of the hex colour value
• chasing.py - shows a snake like moving line of LEDs moving around the star with the centre pulsing. Number of segments is configurable.
• chasing_advent.py - shows a snake like moving line of LEDs moving around the star with the centre pulsing. Number of segments is based on the days of the month (max of 25). A Christmas Advent calendar.

For the Cheerlights examples below you will need to do the following:

pip3 install paho-mqtt

To run the scripts:

python3 scriptname.py

To get the script to execute on boot:

sudo pip3 install paho-mqtt
sudo nano /etc/rc.local 

And add the following before the exit 0:

python3 /path/to/script/scriptname.py &