node-red-contrib-ledmatrix/readme.md

Contains the nodes used in TimeSquAir to use the LEDMatrix library

Contains the Node-RED nodes used in TimeSquAir to use the LEDMatrix library.

These nodes can be installed on top of the ThingBox but with additional advanced installs as described in the hzeller page.


__TimeSquair__ ([http://TimeSquAir.io](http://TimeSquAir.io)) is an educational device built on top of __the Thingbox__  ([http://thethingbox.io](http://thethingbox.io)) that contains a LEDMatrix and a tag reader.

The __LEDMatrix lib__ is the software that allows the use of the matrix:

[http://www.raspberrypi-spy.co.uk/2014/09/32x32-led-matrix-on-the-raspberry-pi/](http://www.raspberrypi-spy.co.uk/2014/09/32x32-led-matrix-on-the-raspberry-pi/)

[https://github.com/hzeller/rpi-rgb-led-matrix](https://github.com/hzeller/rpi-rgb-led-matrix)

This page is only destinated to advanced users.

# History

- fixed bug: Nodes does not appear because of missing dependencies

# Use

Build a flow by wiring:

- a LEDBlank node at first
- add pictures by wiring LEDPicture nodes
- add texts by wiring LEDText nodes
- end with the LEDMatric node to display the concatened result.


# Install


This documents explains how to install the LEDMatrix software.
 
## Install hzeller/rpi-rgb-led-matrix

Is be already installed on the ThingBox. Use that to upgrade.

	rm rpi-rgb-led-matrix-master/
	wget https://github.com/hzeller/rpi-rgb-led-matrix/archive/master.zip
	unzip master.zip
	rm master.zip
	cd rpi-rgb-led-matrix-master/
	make

Test:

	./led-matrix -r 16 -d -t 10 -D 1 runtext16.ppm



## Install led-image-viewer
	
	aptitude update
	aptitude install libmagick++-dev -y
	aptitude install libgraphicsmagick++1-dev -y
	make led-image-viewer

Test :  

	./led-image-viewer img/time-display.jpg -r16


## install imagemagick

	apt-get install imagemagick
	
Test : 

	/usr/bin/convert -size 300x16 xc:skyblue -fill white -stroke black -pointsize 14 -gravity center -draw "text 0,0 'Hello'" /root/draw_text.gif
	aptitude install netpbm -y

Test :

	/usr/bin/ppmmake black 200 16 > /root/temp.ppm

	/usr/bin/ppmlabel -size 10 -x 5 -y 12 -text "hello there" /root/temp.ppm > /root/temp2.ppm

	./rpi-rgb-led-matrix-master/led-matrix -r 16 -t 10 -D 1 /root/temp2.ppm


## Install the Node-RED Nodes

- Go to the Node-RED interface of a Thingbox
- Use the menu "import / Node" and add "node-red-contrib-ledmatrix" in the edit box, then Ok, then reboot the Pi.