8x8x8 Led Cube control program

PC control program for generic 8x8x8 3D LED Cube found on eBay (e.g. 3D LightSquared 8x8x8 LED Cube DIY kit, ideasoft, etc.)

• Written in Java (requires Java RE, download here: http://java.com)
• Supports direct animation playback through Serial/UART interface (rxtx library)
• Various GUI usability enhancements

Firmware

This program can control any packet format compatible LED cube (see below). Example firmware of a compatible LED cube with an STC12C5A60S2 MCU can be found here: Source Code

Using the program

• Run run_x32.bat for 32-bit Windows
• Run run_x64.bat for 64-bit Windows

Check this YouTube video for example: https://youtu.be/UplJi7pdV_Y

LED Cube control packet format

8x8x8 LED Cubes that support below packet format can be controlled with the program via Serial console or other MCU such as an Atmega/Arduino. Example UART/Serial packet (in hex):

F2
00 00 00 00 00 00 00 FF
00 00 00 00 00 00 00 FF
00 00 00 00 00 00 00 FF
00 00 00 00 00 00 00 FF
00 00 00 00 00 00 00 FF
00 00 00 00 00 00 00 FF
00 00 00 00 00 00 00 FF
00 00 00 00 00 00 00 FF

• F2 - denotes packet header (aka. batch update)
• next 64 bytes - (8x8x8 bits) of LED light states
  • one byte - controls a LED row (8 LEDs)
  • can be any value in range: 00-FF (i.e. 00 - all 8 LEDs in row are off, FF - all 8 LEDs are on)
  • a single line (e.g. 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 FF) denotes a 64 LED layer

Implementation note: to save energy/current consumption only a single layer (64 LEDs) in a LED cube is ON at one time. This is done for all layers and so fast (using a hardware timer), that the human eye does not recognize this. This hack allows to view the cube (all layers) as fully lit.