Getting started with the Unicorn Pixel Art Editor

Introduction

Unicorn Pixel Art Editor is a tool for generating and exporting pixel art maps and palettes for Pimoroni Unicorn LED panels.

You have two options for using the editor: self-hosting / running locally or using the online version hosted on GitHub Pages.

There is also some guidance on running the required Python scripts on the Pimoroni Unicorn LED panels so you can see your artwork in all their LED lit-up glory!

Use our online version: You can begin creating pixel art immediately by selecting colors from the palette and interacting with the canvas.

Getting started:

How to use the editor / Use the online version on GitHub Pages

Installing the app:

Self-hosted installation steps / Using Thonny and Raspberry Pi Pico

Support:

Useful Resources

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How to use the editor

• Grid Size: You can change the grid size and load templates to get started quickly.
• Palette: Customize the color palette by editing the list of hex color codes.
• Tools: Use the provided tools to draw, shift pixels, and create pixel art on the canvas.

Now you're ready to start creating pixel art using the Unicorn Pixel Art Editor. Whether you choose to run it locally or use the online version, have fun, get creative, and enjoy your pixel artwork in their LED-tastic glory!

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Self-host or run locally

Follow these steps to run the Unicorn Pixel Art Editor on your local machine:

Prerequisites

This app runs within a web browser. Make sure you are using a modern web browser installed (Google Chrome, Mozilla Firefox, Safari, Opera).

Installation Steps

Download the Code:

• Go to the GitHub repository of the Unicorn Pixel Art Editor.
• Click on the "Code" button, and then select "Download ZIP" to download the code as a ZIP file.
• Extract the ZIP file to a directory of your choice on your local machine.

Open the Editor:

• Navigate to the directory where you extracted the code.
• Locate the index.html file and open it in your web browser.

Start Creating Pixel Art:

• Once the editor opens in your browser, you can start creating pixel art by selecting colors from the palette, clicking on the canvas to fill cells, and using various tools provided.

Export Your Pixel Art:

• After creating your pixel art, you can export it in Python code format or copy it to the clipboard for use in your projects.

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Using Thonny and Raspberry Pi Pico

To see your pixel art creations come to life on the Pimoroni Unicorn LED panels using a Raspberry Pi Pico, follow these steps:

Install Thonny:

• If you haven't already, install Thonny, a Python IDE for beginners.

Connect Your Raspberry Pi Pico:

• Connect your Raspberry Pi Pico to your computer using a micro-USB cable.

Open Thonny:

• Open Thonny on your computer.

Write Your Python Script:

• Write a Python script that imports the necessary libraries and displays your pixel art on the Pimoroni Unicorn LED panels connected to the Raspberry Pi Pico.

Upload the Script:

• Upload your Python script to the Raspberry Pi Pico using Thonny.

Run the Script:

• Run the script on the Raspberry Pi Pico, and watch your pixel art light up on the Unicorn LED panels.

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Useful Resources

Here are some additional resources to help you get started with pixel art creation and using Thonny with the onboard Raspberry Pi Pico:

• Pimoroni Unicorn LED Matrix Guides
• Pimoroni MicroPython Libraries
• Thonny IDE Documentation
• Getting started with Raspberry Pi Pico

These resources provide valuable information and tutorials on pixel art, Python programming, and using hardware like the Raspberry Pi Pico. They will enhance your experience with the Unicorn Pixel Art Editor.

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