Cuttlefish Lights V3
Created a React desktop UI and improved backend algorithms.
Overview
The Cuttlefish lights were always a personal project started from a college hackathon. Many people thought they were cool, but they were just not user friendly for someone who didn't know how to code. I was completly fine with how janky the code was because I knew how it worked and didn't need to make it better.
This changed when I was told that someone wanted to gift these to their daughter. I decided I should make a user friendly app to go along with the lights.
Key Upgrades
- Desktop UI Full React dashboard for system control
- Live Behavior Switching Added serial communication so no need to reupload code to switch behaviors
- Behavior reworks Improved algorithms and updated customizability
Architecture Stack
- React 18 & Vite
- Electron
- Web Serial API
- C++ (Arduino)
- Tailwind CSS
CuttlefishCtrl
Before this app was created, I had a list of behaviors commented out in the code and to get the behavior I wanted, I would have to uncomment it and reupload the code. If I wanted settings to change such as speed, direction, brightness, etc. I would have to change the values and then reupload the code. I didn't mind because I knew how everything worked and it worked for me.
This app now changes behaviors and settings live without the need to change code or reupload. It allows the user to have full control over the lights by just clicking buttons and sliders.
The future of Cuttlefish
I am unsure if this is the end of the Cuttlefish lights improvement. I am very happy with where they are at and don't see much value for improving them vs time it would take. If I do work on them in the future, the 2 things I could see myself doing are:
1) Making them wireless
2) Changing what board is used to increase memory/speed/capabilities