bitmap16dx

About bitmap16dx

A tiny pixel art sketchbook for the M5Stack Cardputer ADV.

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README.md

BitMap16 DX is a tiny pixel art sketchbook for M5Stack Cardputer devices, channeling the vibe of 2000s handheld gaming consoles.

Logo Drawing Sketches

Features

8×8 and 16×16 canvas modes
Draw, Erase, Fill, Move tools
Undo last action
Save/open sketches from SD card
Built-in 16, 8, and 4-color palettes
- Switching palettes remaps your canvas to the new colors, clamping the palette down to the new size, you can always switch back to restore the original palette.
Export .png files to bitmap16dx/exports/ (128x128 or logical size)
Dark mode!
Charging mode!
Display mirroring with Puzzle Unit 8x8 RGB LED Matrix (WS2812E)

Drawing

First Boot

Insert SD card before powering on (FAT32 format recommended)
Power on your Cardputer

BitMap16 DX will automatically create these folders:

/bitmap16dx/
├── sketches/   # Your saved artwork
├── exports/    # Exported PNG files
└── palettes/   # Custom color palettes (optional)

Start drawing!

Adding Custom Palettes (Optional)

Available Palettes

Download .hex palette files from Lospec
Copy to /bitmap16dx/palettes/ on your SD card
Power cycle your Cardputer
Access custom palettes in the Palette Menu

Supports 4, 8, or 16-color palettes. Maximum 32 total (12 built-in + 20 custom).

How to Use

Drawing Mode

Drawing Interface Link Drawing Interface pattern

Key	Function
Arrow keys (`↑` `←` `↓` `→`)	Move cursor (hold to repeat)
`ok`/`enter`	Place pixel with selected color
`del`/`backspace`	Erase pixel
`F`	Flood fill
`M` + `Arrow keys`	Move canvas
`1-8`	Quick color selection (colors 1-8)
`fn` + `1-8`	Quick color selection (colors 9-16)
`C`	Cycle to next color
`G`	Toggle between 8×8 and 16×16 grid
`R`	Toggle rulers (center guide lines)
`T`	Toggle Settings
`Z`	Undo last action (or just shake to undo)
`g0` button	Clear canvas
`S`	Save sketch (update current or create new)
`FN` + `S`	Save as new sketch (always creates new file)
`X`	Export PNG (128×128 scaled)
`FN` + `X`	Export PNG (logical size: 8×8 or 16×16)
`H`	Open help screen (key commands)
`P`	Open Palette Menu
`O`	Open Sketches Menu
`V`	Open Preview Mode
`B` + `+/-`	Adjust brightness
`FN` + `B`	Charging Mode
`L` + `Ok`	RGB Matrix on/off
`L` + `+/-`	RGB Matrix brightness

Drawing Preview (V)

Key	Function
`1`	Black background
`2`	White background
`3`	Light gray background
`4`	Dark gray background
`esc`	Dismiss

Palette Menu (P)

Key	Function
`←`/`→`	Navigate palettes
`ok`/`enter`	Select palette
`esc`	Dismiss
`4`	Toggle 4-color filter
`8`	Toggle 8-color filter
`1`	Toggle 16-color filter
`U`	Toggle custom user palettes filter (can be combined with 4/8/16 filters)
`0`	Clear all filters

Sketches Menu (O)

Sketches Menu

Key	Function
Arrow keys (`↑` `←` `↓` `→`)	Navigate sketch grid
`ok`/`enter`	Load selected sketch
`V`	Open slideshow view
`esc`	Dismiss
`g0` button	Delete focused sketch
`z`	undo

Sketch Slideshow View (V from Sketches Menu)

View your saved sketches in a fullscreen slideshow with optional auto-advance.

Key	Function
`←`/`→`	Navigate previous/next sketch
`space`	Toggle auto-advance (3 second intervals)
`1`	Black background
`2`	White background
`3`	Light gray background
`4`	Dark gray background
`B` + `+/-`	Adjust brightness
`esc`	Return to Sketches

Settings (T)

Set UI theme (light, dark)
Set default grid (8x8, 16x16)
Set RGB matrix count (1, 4)
Set RGB matrix rotation (0, 90, 180, 270)
Set export format (RGB888, RGB565)
Enable Shake to Undo (IMU accelerometer)

Project Structure

BitMap16DX/
├── platformio.ini          # PlatformIO configuration
├── src/
│   ├── main.cpp           # Main firmware code
│   ├── palettes.h         # Default Color palette definitions
│   ├── icons.h            # UI icons
│   ├── cartridge_graphic.h # Cartridge sprite
│   └── boot_image.h       # Splash screen

Sketches Palettes

LED Matrix Display mirroring

The RGB LED matrix display mirrors your canvas in real-time. Connect 1 or 4 Puzzle Unit 8x8 RGB LED Matrix (WS2812E) modules + chain returns to the Cardputer ADV via the expansion port. Matrix brightness and rotation are configurable in Settings.

Quad Matrix (16x16)

Single Matrix (8x8)

Technic Panel Board

A Cardputer-sized prototype board with Lego Technic-compatible mounting holes. Designed for snapping peripherals — like the RGB matrix modules — into modular, reconfigurable layouts.