pimoroni-pico/libraries/galactic_unicorn/README.md

# Galactic Unicorn <!-- omit in toc -->

Galactic Unicorn offers 53x11 7x17 bright RGB LEDs driven by Pico W's PIO in addition to a 1W amplifier and speaker.

Galactic Unicorn uses SM0 of PIO0.

TODO: Update documentation

We've included helper functions to handle every aspect of drawing to the display and interfacing with the buttons. See the [function reference](#function-reference) for details.

- [Example Program](#example-program)
- [Reference](#reference)
  - [Constants](#constants)
    - [Buttons](#buttons)
    - [WIDTH / HEIGHT](#width--height)
  - [Functions](#functions)
    - [init](#init)
    - [set_pixel](#set_pixel)
    - [is_pressed](#is_pressed)
- [Examples](#examples)

## Example Program

The following example sets up Pico Unicorn, displays some basic demo text and graphics and will illuminate the RGB LED green if the A button is presse

```c++

```

## Reference

### Constants

#### Buttons

The four buttons, A, B, X and Y have correponding constants set to their respective GPIO pins. For example:

```c++
bool a_is_pressed = pico_unicorn.is_pressed(pico_unicorn.A);
```

#### WIDTH / HEIGHT

The width and height of Pico Unicorn are available in constants `WIDTH` and `HEIGHT`.

For example:

```c++
int num_pixels = pico_unicorn.WIDTH * pico_unicorn.HEIGHT;
```

### Functions

#### init

Sets up Pico Unicorn. `init` must be called before any other functions since it configures the PIO and require GPIO inputs. Just call `init()` like so: 

```c++
PicoUnicorn pico_unicorn;
pico_unicorn.init();
```

#### set_pixel

```c++
void set_pixel(uint8_t x, uint8_t y, uint8_t r, uint8_t g, uint8_t b);
void set_pixel(uint8_t x, uint8_t y, uint8_t v);
```

Sets an RGB LED on Pico Unicorn with an RGB triplet:

```c++
pico_unicorn.set_pixel(x, y, r, g, b);
```

Uses hardware PWM to drive the LED. Values are automatically gamma-corrected to provide smooth brightness transitions and low values may map as "off."

Alternatively you can use:

```c++
pico_unicorn.set_pixel(x, y, v);
```

Which sets the R, G and B elements of the pixel to the same value- lighting it up white at your chosen intensity.

#### is_pressed

```c++
bool is_pressed(uint8_t button);
```

Reads the GPIO pin connected to one of Pico Unicorn's buttons, returning a `bool` - `true` if it's pressed and `false` if it is released.

```c++
pico_unicorn.is_pressed(button);
```

The button vaule should be a `uint8_t` denoting a pin, and constants `A`, `B`, `X` and `Y` are supplied to make it easier. e:

```c++
bool is_a_button_pressed = pico_unicorn.is_pressed(PicoUnicorn::A)
```

# Examples

## Game of Life

## Retro Super-computer

Random LEDs blink on and off mimicing the look of a movie super computer doing it's work in the eighties.

## Nostalgia Terminal

A collection of copies of classic terminal styles including C64, MS-DOS, Spectrum, and more.