RGB LEDs

BlocklyProp reference for RGB LED blocks

For Activity Board, FLiP, and Other board types. Not available for Badge or Scribbler Robot board types.

BlocklyProp supports just one RGB-LED Init block per project, so if you want to use multiple RGB LEDs, chain them together instead of wiring them to separate Propeller I/O pins. These blocks are intended for WS2812B RGB LED modules (Parallax #28025 & 28026).

RGB-LED init

This block launches a processor automatically, one per block instance.

The RGB-LED init block is used to specify the Propeller I/O pin connected to the RGB LED module(s), and to also specify the number of LEDs chained together. If you forget to use this block, other RGB-LED blocks will remind you with a triangle-shaped warning icon:

  • In the first drop-down field select the Propeller I/O pin connected to the signal input pin of the first RGB LED, in a chain of 1 or more LEDs.
  • In the second field, enter the number of RGB LEDs chained together.
  • In the third drop-down, specify the type of RGB LEDs being used (WS2812 is the only initial option).

If you use more than one RGB-LED init block in a project, the RGB-LED set and RBG-LED update blocks will provide a dropdown for selecting the targeted Propeller I/O pin for a given set of RGB-LEDs.

RGB-LED set

The RGB-LED set block allows you to choose a color for a specific RGB LED.

  • In the number field, Insert a number value specifying the location of the target RGB LED in the chain.  RGB LED number 1 is the unit directly connected to the Propeller I/O pin.
  • In the color field, insert a color value. Click its window and choose a color* from the pop-up menu.
  • If you are using more than one RGB-LED init block in a project, select the Propeller I/O pin for the target RGB LED(s) from the dropdown that will appear.

Use a new block to set the color for each RGB LED in the chain. The settings will not take effect until the program execution reaches an RGB-LED update block.

*Keep in mind that with WS2812B LEDs, brightness and current draw will vary by color, with white being the brightest and most power-consuming setting.

RGB-LED set multiple

The RGB-LED set block allows you to choose a color for a specific contiguous range of RGB LEDs chained together.

  • In the first number field, Insert a number value specifying the location of the first target RGB LED in the chain.  RGB LED number 1 is the unit directly connected to the Propeller I/O pin.
  • In the second number field, Insert a number value specifying the location of the last target RGB LED in the desired chain. 
  • In the color field, insert a color value. Or, click its window and choose a color* from the pop-up menu.
  • If you are using more than one RGB-LED init block in a project, select the Propeller I/O pin for the target RGB LED(s) from the dropdown that will appear.

Use a new block to set the color for each RGB LED in the chain. The settings will not take effect until the program execution reaches an RGB-LED update block.

*Keep in mind that with WS2812B LEDs, brightness and current draw will vary by color, with white being the brightest and most power-consuming setting.

RGB-LED update

The RGB-LED update block updates all of the RGB LED colors to the settings specified in the most recent RGB-LED set blocks. Each time the colors are changed with RGB-LED set blocks, the RGB-LED update block must be used again to see the new colors.

If you use more than one RGB-LED init block in a project, the RBG-LED update blocks will provide a dropdown for selecting the targeted Propeller I/O pin for a given set of RGB-LEDs.