Displaying a custom image on a 0.96-inch OLED display using an Arduino

In this tutorial, we’ll show you how to display a custom image on a 0.96-inch OLED display using an Arduino Nano. OLED displays are known for their bright and clear output, making them perfect for small projects. We will use the SSD1306 OLED driver and the Adafruit GFX library for this project.

Materials Needed

1. Arduino Nano

2. 0.96-inch OLED Display (128x64 pixels)

3. Breadboard and Jumper Wires

4. Computer with Arduino IDE Installed

5. Micro USB Cable

Step 1: Setting Up the Hardware

1. Connect the OLED Display to the Arduino Nano:

- VCC to 5V (or 3.3V depending on your OLED module).

- GND to GND.

- SCL to A5 (analog pin 5).

- SDA to A4 (analog pin 4).

Step 2: Install the Required Libraries

1. Install the Adafruit SSD1306 Library:

- Open the Arduino IDE.

- Go to Sketch > Include Library > Manage Libraries.

- Search for Adafruit SSD1306 and install it.

2. Install the Adafruit GFX Library:

- Repeat the process above, but search for Adafruit GFX and install it.

Step 3: Prepare the Custom Image

1. Create or Find an Image:

- Use an image editor to create or select an image that is 128x64 pixels in size.

- Convert the image to monochrome (black and white).

2. Convert the Image to Bitmap Format:

- Use an online tool like [Image2CPP](http://javl.github.io/image2cpp/) to convert the image to a byte array.

- Select Monochrome for image type and set the dimensions to 128x64.

- Copy the generated byte array.

Step 4: Write the Arduino Code

1. Initialize the OLED Display:

- Open the Arduino IDE and create a new sketch.

- Include the necessary libraries at the top of your code:

Step 5: Upload the Code and Test

1. Connect the Arduino Nano to Your Computer using the micro USB cable.

2. Select the Arduino Nano Board in the Arduino IDE:

- Go to Tools > Board > Arduino Nano.

- Select the correct Processor (ATmega328P or ATmega328P (Old Bootloader)).

- Choose the correct Port.

3. Upload the Code:

- Click the Upload button in the Arduino IDE.

Step 6: Troubleshooting

1. Check Connections:

- Ensure all wires are connected properly.

2. Check Library Installations:

- Verify that the Adafruit SSD1306 and Adafruit GFX libraries are installed correctly.

3. Verify the OLED Address:

- Some OLED displays use a different I2C address. Ensure the address in `display.begin(SSD1306_SWITCHCAPVCC, 0x3C)` matches your display's address. Common addresses are `0x3C` and `0x3D`.