This list contains my favorite LED diffuser ideas. I hope it will inspire you to create your illumination of the highest quality. Examples and links accompany each one!
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Create a paper-lined shadow box.
Start with the easiest one. You can use a homemade box or a shadow box frame that is easily available. Line the interior with plain printer paper.
For example, in my Wi-Fi Weather Display project, I divided the shadow box into sections using a piece of corrugated cardboard. I then taped some pixel stripes to the back and shined them into each triangle. The Arduino code allows me to control the color of every section of the pixel string in order to create abstract weather patterns. The “snowy status” has both blue and white LEDs as opposed to the “rainy status,” which only has blue.
This technique is also very simple. All you need to do is line the sides of the box using a single LED strip. Create a face cutout with your design and paint the inside of the box to allow the light to bounce. Please find out more about this 2017 sign in my instructions.
As an Amazon Associate, I earn commissions on purchases made through my affiliate links. Step 2: Woven fabric
They are easier to keep flat and sew. Bring a flashlight with you when shopping for fabric to see how the materials reflect light. You can also use the flashlight on your smartphone. Some materials will reveal an interior texture when illuminated. When shopping online, start with lightweight synthetic woven fabric. Fake flowers can also be made from woven fabric.
The next obvious option after paper to smooth out the letters of an LED scroller is woven fabrics. In the Messenger Bag Display Project, I used Solid White Ripstop Nylon as a diffuser for a large flexible NeoPixel screen right against the LEDs.
Knit Fabric
The knitted fabric is stretchy. T-shirts and sweaters are both knit. Knits are difficult to work with, but they’re great for diffusing leds! The fluffy white cable-knitted sweater in the picture diffuses the NeoPixel matrix and adds a texture that could not be achieved any other way. The snowflakes look festive, even though it’s too thick for numbers/letters to be read through.
The color-changing scarf features an interior string with pixels that are diffused by the heavily gathered machine knit panel. The gathered knit fabric was supposed to create a garland-like effect. However, I don’t think the thin grey yarn achieved this goal.
Plush Toys
I created my first LED soft toy for a plush nightlight assignment in college (I made the “irradiated” plush steak and the “Chatter Pillow.” In college, I made my first LED soft toys for a plush nightlight assignment (I created “irradiated plush steak) and the chatter pillow. In my classroom, I use the same term to explore materials.
Glass
Mason jars have an interesting texture and make for great bases for creating different diffusion effects. A simple 3D-printed lid holding a single lead is shown. Fill the jars with transparent beads or line them with printer paper. This will help to bring out the glow. You can paint the jar inside or outside. Please find out more about how to make LED Mason Jar Lanterns in my Instructable.
Backlit laser-cut textile
Layering fabrics can create a variety of diffusive effects. This Sparkle Skirt Project is made from a laser-cut Microsuede Skirt. The LED circuit has been sewn into the lining. The LEDs create a backlighting impact when they light up.
LED Underlighting
Backlighting can be used in many other ways. It’s technically not diffusion because the light is bouncing off something else. But we’ll add it to our brainstorming anyway! In my Internet Valentine Project, I stuck tiny sequin LEDs on the back of tissue paper hearts. They reflected off the white card to give the spirit its red glow. The red button on the remote left shines a red light up at the tissue-paper heart.
Laser Cut Acrylic
The laser-cut acrylic offers a variety of diffusion options, such as edge-lighting and coloring the etching using a marker. These photos are from my Iron Man Arc Reactor project.
Crinoline tubing
This tip was taught to me by my friend Phil Burgess. He showed me how to do it with his Cyber Fall Wig project. The crinoline tube is perfect for covering LED strips that are still in their silicone sheathing. It also catches light thanks to its cross-woven fibers. This idea was used in the Colourful LED Headpiece project.
