Pic-programming?

Does anyone here have any experience with pic-programming of led's who could give me a hand with a project?

 

I've some very very basic stuff with it. I doubt I'll be able to help you out much, but you never know
So whatcha planning?

 

I want to create a small led matrix that will be put on a sculpture, but am unsure on what components I should get and what kind of program I should use for the animations.

 

i've always wanted to be able to make stuff like that, but i'd only end up blowing something up lol good luck though

 

http://www.best-microcontroller-project ... splay.html
http://www.jbprojects.net/projects/led/
http://www.instructables.com/id/LED-Dot-Matrix-Display/

I've done something similar before but everything was hard-coded into the chips so it could only display pre-programmed images.

 

Swell, thanks 0! Those sites are very helpful regarding the programming. I think I'm gonna buy a pre-made led matrix and just do the coding myself since I need quite a few led's in the dot matrix. The matrix will show a pounding heart (not the <3 one but a more realistic one) but I only want it to be about 15-20 cm wide. Do you know any good retailers for these things? The matrixes on ebay are too small :/

 

These are probably too small too: http://www.futurlec.com/LEDMatrix.shtml
I suppose you could somehow hook up several small matrices together to create a larger display.

 

Yeah, the 5x7 seem to be standard, but I don't know how to combine them to create one big display. :/

 

Well, you could program each of them separately. Each matrix would display one part of the image. :/

 

I was thinking somewhere along those lines as well. One major problem would be syncing them though, since the picture will be animated it would look horrible if any of the arrays is slightly off. :/

 

Usually electronics like this can be synchronized using a clock pulse.

 

That's true. Wouldn't the whole thing require me to re-wire the matrixes and add reistance if I want only one power source? I'm not good at these things, that's why I'm looking for a pre-made dot matrix.

 

So I've gotten my interest in pic-programming up again. I definately want to learn the basics that I could integrate with the new technology available through conductive threads and fabric.
Do anyone know some good basic programming tutorials and sets? I have no experience in programming at all, so I need some good guide in how to program C for pic and preferably a pre-made kit (nothing I would have to solder together myself since I lack the tools for this).

So yeah, bump.

edit:
Or should I go with Arduino? Which is easier for a total newbie?