This project builds a complete scrolling LED sign for a bar or shop window: a 64 × 16 pixel matrix with a chasing outline strip, a ticker, a logo and two scenes you can switch between. Every screenshot below comes from this exact project in LEDEdit Pro 2026.
The video tour of this project, recorded in the real app. The written guide continues below.
The plan
| Part | LEDs | Wiring |
|---|---|---|
| Matrix 64 × 16 | 1,024 | Rows serpentine |
| Outline strip around the matrix | 172 | Continues the same chain |
| Total on p1 | 1,196 | One T-1000S output (profile limit 2,048) |
Everything fits on one output of a T-1000 / T-2000 controller, so a single data cable feeds the matrix and then the outline.
1. Build the layout
Open Layout → Open LED Layout Creator…, set the canvas to 140 × 44 and Max LEDs/port to 2048.
- Create → Pattern Builder… — 16 rows × 64 columns, Rows Serpentine, Add to current port. Stamp it with a 2-cell margin.
- Draw the outline around it with Draw LEDs (or a 1-row pattern per side) on the same port, so the chain continues from the matrix into the frame.
- Layout Check should report Ready: 1196 LEDs across 1 port(s). Then Push to Editor.
2. Four layers, top to bottom
Layers draw from the top of the list down, so the order matters:
- Text — the ticker, painted over the matrix.
- Logo — the left 16 × 16 pixels of the matrix.
- Background — the whole matrix.
- Outline — only the frame LEDs.
3. Scene one: “Open”
- Text: a text clip with OPEN COCKTAILS LIVE MUSIC, Marquee from right to left, bold, with an outline.
- Background: Plasma Flow in a dark palette at reduced clip opacity, so the text stays readable.
- Outline: Color March for a gentle running frame.
4. Scene two: “Happy Hour” with a logo
Click the + scene tab and add:
- Text: HAPPY HOUR 5-7 in warm yellow, again as a Marquee.
- Logo: Create → Add Clip → Image Clip… with a PNG logo on black. In the image settings choose Fit and switch on Black = Transparent, so only the logo lights up.
- Background: Plasma Flow in the sunset palette; Outline: Theater Chase in gold_rush.
5. Check it per LED
The per-LED preview shows what the sign will actually display — including how readable the ticker is on 16 rows.
Readability tips for 16-row signs: a bold font around 13 pt, a 1-pixel dark outline, a background at lower opacity, and a calm scroll speed. See Scrolling text on LED pixels for more.
6. Export to the T-1000S
Output → Export LEDEdit .led…, choose T-1000 / T-2000 RGB and your chip (here T-1000-WS2811 / WS2812). The preflight confirms 2 scenes, 30 fps, 1 output and 1,196 LEDs against a profile capacity of 2,048.
Copy the files to the SD card — or use Output → LEDEdit Tools → Write to SD Card… — and the sign is ready.
