This guide contains everything you need to get started with creating a python program that will display whatever you can dream of on the Nanoleaf wall outside of ICT 216 in the Maker Multiplex and Zetta space! (Or maybe you're doing a project for a class and don't have a choice, either way I hope you're ready to learn!) This guide assumes you have working knowledge of Python and the Pandas library. If you don't have prior experience with Python, check out our Python Basics course!
The Nanoleaf Panel provides you with an novel display surface with which to draw users to your display. Check out this display from the Anchorage Museum in Alaska which uses almost 1200 Nanoleaf Panels to create a massive art installation!
The wall we have isn't as large, but learning to program for our
wall might just prepare you to work on a similar installation!
If you haven't already seen it, here's what our wall looks like:
We don't have 1200 panels, but we do still have 216! We have
12 vertical rows and 23 panels across at the widest point of the hexagon! There are a number of ways in which you can run your
own code on the Nanoleaf wall, and we're going to cover three
of them here.
This guide is meant to help students learn the basics of interacting with the Nanoleaf panels on the second floor of ICT, and help facilitate the programming the panels using Python. This tutorial covers several facets of the panels and their use, including:
After you've read this guide, you will be instructed to complete the Nanoleaf Quiz which will allow you to book the Nanoleaf workstation in ICT 216, which contains the Raspberry Pi you will use to interact with the Nanoleaf wall. Completion of this quiz is required to use the Raspberry Pi.