Etch-A-Sketch, the beloved children’s toy that allowed them to make artwork by turning two knobs inside a frame, has just gotten a modern twist in the form of Tilt-A-Sketch.
Indeed, in the classic Etch-A-Sketch, the two knobs were attached to a stylus inside the frame, which would scrape off an aluminum powder, creating the image that the user could then erase by turning the frame upside down and shaking it, returning the powder to the display.
How Tilt-A-Sketch works
As it happens, a pseudonymous developer devitoal has decided to reinvent this system by replacing the aluminum powder with an LED matrix, as well as removing the stylus or knobs (even for controlling the path of the LED), sharing the entire process on the Instructables website and demonstrating its use in a YouTube video posted on March 18.
Specifically, an inertial measurement unit inside this cool little gadget can sense the direction in which the toy is tilted, while a microcontroller uses that input to light up a series of LEDs corresponding to the direction of the tilt. A few buttons on the side allow the displayed colors to change, and, like the original toy, the user can reset the display by shaking it.
Making the Tilt-A-Sketch
To begin making a Tilt-A-Sketch of your own, you’ll need a laser cutter, a computer, a LED matrix, AdaFruit Matrix Portal S3, 1/4 inch Baltic birch, super glue, some Velcro, a USB-C power brick, and a USB-C to USB-C cord.
Step 1: Setting up the S3 Matrix
As the inventor pointed out, setting up the Matrix Portal is possible by following the instructions on the Adafruit website or watching a setup tutorial by Prof G, a Boston College Professor, for an Adafruit Circuit Playground Blue-Fruit (but installing the Matrix Portal instead of the Circuit Playground).
It may also be helpful to install other programs, such as Circup, to make sure all the necessary libraries are available and up-to-date, following the installation walkthrough from here.
Step 2: Coding
The Tilt-A-Sketch maker also posted the entire code necessary for the project, which allows you to design a 32×32 RGB LED matrix, as well as to integrate the Matrix portal accelerometer and button controls to create an interactive pixel-drawing display.
Step 3: Connecting up the device
As devitoal explained, to provide power to your Tilt-A-Sketch, you’ll need to screw down the wires provided with the display to their respective spots on the Matrix Portal, then plug that connection into the middle port of the display with the label VOC GND.
“For data, plug the HUB75 wire into the top of the Matrix portal then into one of the two ports on the display. Then take the Matrix portal and use the underside connection port, and plug that into the HUB75 port on the display.”
Step 4: Cutting and preparing the box
Now is the time to set up the box holding your Tilt-A-Sketch. You’ll accomplish this by laser cutting this file and assembling it with glue. You’ll need to save the cover to be cut later so it can fit the gap between the screen and the end of the box.
After the glue is dry, you’ll need to cut and attach one half of the velcro strips to the three inner sides of the box without the button cutout, as well as attach the other side of the Velcro to the display’s edges.
Step 5: Finishing touches
Finally, place the display inside the box so that the buttons are accessible through the cutout. For filling the gap between the display and the box’s edge, you should do the following:
- Take unused cover and make a line marking where the end of the display starts.
- Cut along the line with a laser cutter or saw.
- Place the piece into the gap.
Step 6: Plug in the display
Once you’ve assembled the build, simply plug in the USB-C into the wall and then to the board.
Conclusion
And there you have it – an exceptionally easy way to make a cool little gadget by yourself to enjoy or give as a present to your sister’s kid. Feel like crafting something more complicated? Then try creating a GPS receiver from scratch or even your own laser harp.
