Illuminated pcb blade config

Aaron_Hilditch · April 28, 2025, 8:51pm

I have a few questions about the illuminated pcb(npxl v4), I’m prepping for a saber build using the Configuration generator and was wondering why it jumps from 1 blade to 3? does it take two blade styles to run the pcb leds independently? what does style 2 do? and what does style 3 do? do they have to be the same as the main blade style(1)?

orntar · April 28, 2025, 9:29pm

Looks like it is using SubBladeWithStride to divide the hilt pixels in half. And it is wiring it as option 4 from the NPXL Manual. (and you have to remove one resistor)

Blade one would be the main blade, blade 2 and 3 would be half of the hilt connector 16 leds.

You would need 3 styles listed for each preset in this case.

However, you could wire and set it up differently, if you like. Personally, I usually wire mine like Option 2 from the NPXL Manual.

Aaron_Hilditch · April 28, 2025, 9:59pm

so blade 2 could be inner ring and 3 outer ring or vice versa, would be interesting to have the bladetyles different to the main blade, one goin clockwise one anti clockwise, i will try figure that out in fetts library

baldusi · April 30, 2025, 3:02am

This obviously assumes that you have a Shtok’s V3 or V4 PCB. Won’t work on the ECO, and others have different layouts. For example I have some of the initial Shadowfoil Props PCB with 24 pixels where the signal went on the outer and then on the inner circles, so I use SubBlade. Later Shadowfoil have 16leds but I ignore the layout.
Chinese PCBs might use other layouts.

Aaron_Hilditch · April 30, 2025, 5:55am

i’ll be using shtoks v4(not eco) cos i want to also add blade detection,

this the blade configuration generated

BladeConfig blades[] = {
 { 0, WS281XBladePtr<144, bladePin, Color8::GRB, PowerPINS<bladePowerPin2, bladePowerPin3> >(),
    SubBladeWithStride(0, 15, 2, WS281XBladePtr<16, blade2Pin, Color8::GRB, PowerPINS<bladePowerPin2, bladePowerPin3> >()),
    SubBladeWithStride(1, 15, 2, NULL)
  , CONFIGARRAY(presets) },
 { NO_BLADE, WS281XBladePtr<144, bladePin, Color8::GRB, PowerPINS<bladePowerPin2, bladePowerPin3> >(),
    SubBladeWithStride(0, 15, 2, WS281XBladePtr<16, blade2Pin, Color8::GRB, PowerPINS<bladePowerPin2, bladePowerPin3> >()),
    SubBladeWithStride(1, 15, 2, NULL)
  , CONFIGARRAY(no_blade_presets), "nb_save" }

as of now all ive done is repeat the main blade style. looking to maybe add this to sub blades 2 and 3

//left to right 
 
/* copyright Fett263 Simple (Accent LED / PCB) OS7 Style
https://fett263library.com/early-access/#Simple
OS7.15 v4.11
Single Style
Base Style: Static

Off Behavior: Slow Run Forward [Color: OffColorArg]

Base Color: BaseColorArg (0)

--Effects Included--
Ignition Effect: Instant [Color: IgnitionColorArg]
Retraction Effect: Instant [Color: RetractionColorArg]
Lockup Effect: NoneLightning Block Effect: NoneDrag Effect:
0: accentDragMulti0Shape - Begin: Wipe In - Style: Intensity Sparking Drag - End: Wipe Out
[Color: DragColorArg]
Melt Effect:
0: accentMeltMulti0Shape - Begin: Wipe In - Style: Intensity Melt - End: Wipe Out
[Color: StabColorArg]
*/
StylePtr<Layers<RgbArg<BASE_COLOR_ARG,Rgb<255,0,0>>,LockupTrL<AlphaL<TransitionEffect<RandomPerLEDFlickerL<RgbArg<DRAG_COLOR_ARG,Rgb<255,255,255>>>,BrownNoiseFlickerL<RgbArg<DRAG_COLOR_ARG,Rgb<255,255,255>>,Int<300>>,TrExtend<4000,TrInstant>,TrFade<4000>,EFFECT_DRAG_BEGIN>,SmoothStep<Scale<TwistAngle<>,IntArg<DRAG_SIZE_ARG,31000>,Int<30000>>,Int<3000>>>,TrWipeIn<200>,TrWipe<200>,SaberBase::LOCKUP_DRAG,Int<1>>,LockupTrL<AlphaL<Stripes<2000,4000,Mix<TwistAngle<>,RgbArg<STAB_COLOR_ARG,Rgb<255,68,0>>,RotateColorsX<Int<3000>,RgbArg<STAB_COLOR_ARG,Rgb<255,68,0>>>>,Mix<Sin<Int<50>>,Black,Mix<TwistAngle<>,RgbArg<STAB_COLOR_ARG,Rgb<255,68,0>>,RotateColorsX<Int<3000>,RgbArg<STAB_COLOR_ARG,Rgb<255,68,0>>>>>,Mix<Int<4096>,Black,Mix<TwistAngle<>,RgbArg<STAB_COLOR_ARG,Rgb<255,68,0>>,RotateColorsX<Int<3000>,RgbArg<STAB_COLOR_ARG,Rgb<255,68,0>>>>>>,SmoothStep<Scale<TwistAngle<>,IntArg<MELT_SIZE_ARG,26000>,Int<30000>>,Int<3000>>>,TrConcat<TrExtend<4000,TrWipeIn<200>>,AlphaL<HumpFlicker<Mix<TwistAngle<>,RgbArg<STAB_COLOR_ARG,Rgb<255,68,0>>,RotateColorsX<Int<3000>,RgbArg<STAB_COLOR_ARG,Rgb<255,68,0>>>>,RotateColorsX<Int<3000>,Mix<TwistAngle<>,RgbArg<STAB_COLOR_ARG,Rgb<255,68,0>>,RotateColorsX<Int<3000>,RgbArg<STAB_COLOR_ARG,Rgb<255,68,0>>>>>,100>,SmoothStep<Scale<TwistAngle<>,IntArg<MELT_SIZE_ARG,26000>,Int<30000>>,Int<3000>>>,TrFade<4000>>,TrWipe<200>,SaberBase::LOCKUP_MELT,Int<1>>,InOutTrL<TrInstant,TrInstant,TransitionLoop<Black,TrConcat<TrWipe<1000>,RgbArg<OFF_COLOR_ARG,Rgb<255,0,0>>,TrWipe<1000>>>>>>(),

//right to left

/* copyright Fett263 Simple (Accent LED / PCB) OS7 Style
https://fett263library.com/early-access/#Simple
OS7.15 v4.11
Single Style
Base Style: Static

Off Behavior: Slow Run Reverse [Color: OffColorArg]

Base Color: BaseColorArg (0)

--Effects Included--
Ignition Effect: Instant [Color: IgnitionColorArg]
Retraction Effect: Instant [Color: RetractionColorArg]
Lockup Effect: NoneLightning Block Effect: NoneDrag Effect:
0: accentDragMulti0Shape - Begin: Wipe In - Style: Intensity Sparking Drag - End: Wipe Out
[Color: DragColorArg]
Melt Effect:
0: accentMeltMulti0Shape - Begin: Wipe In - Style: Intensity Melt - End: Wipe Out
[Color: StabColorArg]
*/
StylePtr<Layers<RgbArg<BASE_COLOR_ARG,Rgb<255,0,0>>,LockupTrL<AlphaL<TransitionEffect<RandomPerLEDFlickerL<RgbArg<DRAG_COLOR_ARG,Rgb<255,255,255>>>,BrownNoiseFlickerL<RgbArg<DRAG_COLOR_ARG,Rgb<255,255,255>>,Int<300>>,TrExtend<4000,TrInstant>,TrFade<4000>,EFFECT_DRAG_BEGIN>,SmoothStep<Scale<TwistAngle<>,IntArg<DRAG_SIZE_ARG,31000>,Int<30000>>,Int<3000>>>,TrWipeIn<200>,TrWipe<200>,SaberBase::LOCKUP_DRAG,Int<1>>,LockupTrL<AlphaL<Stripes<2000,4000,Mix<TwistAngle<>,RgbArg<STAB_COLOR_ARG,Rgb<255,68,0>>,RotateColorsX<Int<3000>,RgbArg<STAB_COLOR_ARG,Rgb<255,68,0>>>>,Mix<Sin<Int<50>>,Black,Mix<TwistAngle<>,RgbArg<STAB_COLOR_ARG,Rgb<255,68,0>>,RotateColorsX<Int<3000>,RgbArg<STAB_COLOR_ARG,Rgb<255,68,0>>>>>,Mix<Int<4096>,Black,Mix<TwistAngle<>,RgbArg<STAB_COLOR_ARG,Rgb<255,68,0>>,RotateColorsX<Int<3000>,RgbArg<STAB_COLOR_ARG,Rgb<255,68,0>>>>>>,SmoothStep<Scale<TwistAngle<>,IntArg<MELT_SIZE_ARG,26000>,Int<30000>>,Int<3000>>>,TrConcat<TrExtend<4000,TrWipeIn<200>>,AlphaL<HumpFlicker<Mix<TwistAngle<>,RgbArg<STAB_COLOR_ARG,Rgb<255,68,0>>,RotateColorsX<Int<3000>,RgbArg<STAB_COLOR_ARG,Rgb<255,68,0>>>>,RotateColorsX<Int<3000>,Mix<TwistAngle<>,RgbArg<STAB_COLOR_ARG,Rgb<255,68,0>>,RotateColorsX<Int<3000>,RgbArg<STAB_COLOR_ARG,Rgb<255,68,0>>>>>,100>,SmoothStep<Scale<TwistAngle<>,IntArg<MELT_SIZE_ARG,26000>,Int<30000>>,Int<3000>>>,TrFade<4000>>,TrWipe<200>,SaberBase::LOCKUP_MELT,Int<1>>,InOutTrL<TrInstant,TrInstant,TransitionLoop<Black,TrConcat<TrWipeIn<1000>,RgbArg<OFF_COLOR_ARG,Rgb<255,0,0>>,TrWipeIn<1000>>>>>>(),

olivierflying747-8 · April 30, 2025, 11:06am

You could also use this, I haven’t tried it yet but it is from profezzorn’s illuminated pommel (I think it could be really cool on a pcb):

// === NPXL inner ring: ===
StylePtr<MarbleStyle>(),
// === NPXL outer ring: ===
StylePtr<MarbleStyle>(),

And you would need:

#ifdef CONFIG_STYLES
// Marble style from Profezzorn | Use in presets: StylePtr<MarbleStyle>(),
using MarbleStyle = Mix<CircularSectionF<MarbleF<Int<-2000>,Int<40000>,Ifon<Int<827680>,Int<0>>,Int<1276800>>,ChangeSlowly<Ifon<Int<32768>,Int<3276>>,Int<2048>>>,Black,Mix<InOutFuncX<Int<2000>,Int<2000>>,Rgb<0,0,20>,Rgb<0,255,255>>>;
#endif // CONFIG_STYLES

I don’t know yet how to change the direction of the rotation.

It is from this video:

github.com

profezzorn/ProffieOS/blob/af32b75ed555887adaa31f13e8c54561061ba93f/config/proffieboard_v2_ob4.h#L102


      
             // Blingy preset
             { "unlight", "tracks/darkdeed.wav",
               QUADBLADE( StylePtr<InOutHelper<EASYBLADE(OnSpark<CYAN>, WHITE), 300, 800> >() ),
              StylePtr<InOutHelper<EASYBLADE(OnSpark<CYAN>, WHITE), 300, 800> >(),
          
               // FIXME
               //StylePtr<BatteryLevelStyle>(),
          
               StylePtr<SimpleClash<Lockup<Blast<Cylon<Rgb<0,0,64>,15,10, DeepSkyBlue,15,100,2000,Cylon<Rgb<64,0,0>,15,6, Red,15,57,2000,Cylon<Rgb<0,40,0>,15,7, Green,15,37,2000>>>,White>,AudioFlicker<Blue,White>>,White>>(),
          
               // Marble style
               StylePtr<Mix<
                    CircularSectionF<
                    MarbleF<Int<-2000>, Int<40000>, Ifon<Int<827680>, Int<0>>, Int<1276800>>,
                    /* circle fraction = */ ChangeSlowly<Ifon<Int<32768>, Int<3276>>, Int<2048>>>,
                   Black,
                   Mix<InOutFuncX<Int<2000>,Int<2000>>, Rgb<0,0,20>, Rgb<0,255,255>
               >>>(),
              "chaotic good"},
          
          /*

Aaron_Hilditch · April 30, 2025, 1:16pm

That looks cool I’ll give at a try, thank you

olivierflying747-8 · April 30, 2025, 2:03pm

Let me know if you figure out how to reverse the rotation.

orntar · April 30, 2025, 2:28pm

Use slow or fast run reverse in fett263’s library?

jedi_j_stream · April 30, 2025, 6:27pm

I use the NPXL v4 option-4 exclusively (with resistor R1 removed ans Orntar mentioned)–but I only use 1 blade config and style for the emitter–but blade count also needs to include crystal chambers, accent pixels, pixel arrays, and potentially a bluetooth module (if powered by a mfett).

Using the ‘with-stride’ approach for the emitter gives you more options for use with blade-plugs, but is not necessary.

Aaron_Hilditch · April 30, 2025, 7:38pm

all im looking for really is for it do a funky patten while the saber is idling

Aaron_Hilditch · May 17, 2025, 11:04am

BaneMK2.h (182.0 KB)
This is what I’ve ended up doing for the config, i am still waiting on the components so i cant even test it,

so will the pcb leds play this bladestyle when i flick the kill switch to on without a blade inserted? then go blank when i ignite the saber

StylePtr<Mix<CircularSectionF</* circle fraction = */ MarbleF<Int<-2000>,Int<40000>,Ifon<Int<827680>,Int<0>>,Int<1276800>>,ChangeSlowly<Ifon<Int<32768>,Int<3276>>,Int<2048>>>,Black,Mix<InOutFuncX<Int<2000>,Int<2000>>,Red,Red>>>(),

then with the blade inserted the pcb leds will be blank?

profezzorn · May 18, 2025, 12:58am

This style seems to be “on” all the time.

Aaron_Hilditch · May 18, 2025, 5:05am

Ok so having blades 2 & 3 in the main presets set to black will still illuminate the pcb leds with said animation even though it’s only set up in the no blade presets?

profezzorn · May 18, 2025, 6:08am

The style tells the blade what to do.
All the other stuff you mentioned has no impact on that.

Aaron_Hilditch · May 18, 2025, 6:57am

all 3 styles per preset just tell the blade what to do?

profezzorn · May 18, 2025, 9:33am

One style - one blade.
First style tells blade one what to do.
Second style tells blade two what to do.
Third style tells blade three what to do.

There is no cross-talk, the first style has no impact on blade two and three, etc.

Aaron_Hilditch · May 18, 2025, 9:48am

What I’m not getting is how the pcb leds style animation will be on all the time if it’s only set up in the no blade config array

profezzorn · May 18, 2025, 9:57am

Maybe I should be more clear; by “all the time” I mean “when this preset is active”.

If you switch to a different preset, or a different preset array, then this style will not be in control of the blade.

I was trying to express that it doesn’t turn on and off when the saber is ignited/retracted. Not that the style is in control of the blade unconditionally.

ShtokyD · May 18, 2025, 10:02am

Here are some of my premade blade styles for the NPXL V3-V4 connectors:

Also this link is available on my website page “Downloads” section: