After having printed 70's Motel Sign model I wanted to introduce some functionality into it. I wanted to answer these questions for myself: How would a marquee operate in real world? What glow would radiate from it? Both of the questions can, of course, can be answered & achieved with computer animation but since I already had a physical 3D printed model I wanted to demonstrate how with simple programming and wiring one could animate it. Tools Used:

• Arduino Uno (Microcontroller)

• 5) LEDs - White

• 1)LED - Green

• 1)RGB LED

• 6) 220 Ohm Resistors (for LED's)

• 3) 330 Ohm Resistors (for RGB LED)

• White Electrical Cables

• Soldering Iron

• Solder

• Arduino IDE Software

Now, it was time to create the animation necessary to make the sign function. I wanted the motels name, "Becca's", to light up with various colors and have each individual letters, "M", "O", "T", "E", and "L", to have a cascade timed effect in white. Finally, I wanted the "Vacancy" to stay on and illuminate green. 

1. Let's begin with programming. Below you can see the source code (from Arduino IDE Software & Compiler) with notes represented next to "//".

2. Now it's on to wiring. See the wiring schematic.

3. Let's make sure everything is wired up correctly. For this we will use a breadboard. After the wiring is complete, upload the source code onto Arduino. You should be able to see timed animation of lights in a loop.

4. Let's solder all the LED to the back of our 3D printed 70's Motel Sign.

Completed Animation. Enjoy!