Setup Arduino IDE

It takes just a few steps to start with Arduino development and create fun projects with bling.

Step 1: Install Arduino IDE

We use the Arduino Desktop IDE. Follow the instructions to setup the environment for your OS.

Step 2: Configure IDE for the right board

Once your IDE is setup, specify the Arduino board: Tools/Board menu. There are many different Arduino boards. Make sure to specify the correct board you are using for your application. Spartronics commonly uses Ardunio Uno.

Step 3: Configure IDE for the programming port

In order to upload your code, IDE needs to be configured to specify the port that is connected to the Arduino board. First connect your Arduino board to your computer with the USB cable, and using the Tools/Port menu, select the port where your board is connected.

Step 4: Install the libraries needed

Your code likely depends on other libraries, such as Adafruit NeoPixel library for our bling examples. Tools/Manage Libraries... menu to add necessary libraries. The library requirements for a program should be listed in the code comments.

Step 5: Verify environment is correctly configured

The Arduino IDE comes with example sketches (programs). The Arduino Blink example is an easy way to verify your IDE is correctly configured. Load the Blink sketch code via File/Examples/02.Basics/Blink and click the Upload button to put the program on your Arduino board. After the programming is complete, the board should automatically start running the program, and the on-board LED will blink on and off. If it doesn't blink, ensure the led pin definition in the code is correctly specified for your board type.