Display Image On OLED With Arduino Mega

Displaying Images on OLED Using Arduino Mega – Step-by-Step Guide

The integration of OLED displays with microcontrollers has opened up exciting opportunities for creating interactive, visually rich electronics projects. Unlike LCDs, OLED (Organic Light Emitting Diode) displays offer sharp contrast, wide viewing angles, and ultra-low power consumption. In this article, we’ll explore how to display custom images on an OLED display using an Arduino Mega, as demonstrated by Techatronic.

Introduction to OLED Display

An OLED display is a thin, lightweight screen that does not require backlighting. Each pixel is individually lit, allowing for deep blacks and vibrant images. One of the most popular OLED modules used with Arduino is the 0.96-inch 128x64 I2C OLED display, based on the SSD1306 driver.

This module is perfect for displaying custom logos, bitmaps, or small animations in Arduino projects, including smart wearables, dashboards, clocks, and more.

Components Required

To follow this project, you’ll need:

Arduino Mega 2560

• Arduino Mega 2560

0.96” I2C OLED display (128x64 resolution)

• 0.96” I2C OLED display (128x64 resolution)

Jumper wires

• Jumper wires

Breadboard (optional)

• Breadboard (optional)

PC with Arduino IDE installed

• PC with Arduino IDE installed

Image2Code converter (for bitmap conversion)

• Image2Code converter (for bitmap conversion)

Wiring the OLED with Arduino Mega

The OLED display communicates using the I2C protocol, which requires only two wires:

VCC → 5V on Arduino Mega

• VCC → 5V on Arduino Mega

GND → GND

• GND → GND

SCL → SCL (pin 21)

• SCL → SCL (pin 21)

SDA → SDA (pin 20)

• SDA → SDA (pin 20)

Make sure the wiring is correct, especially on the Mega board, as the I2C pins differ from those on Arduino Uno.

Converting an Image to Bitmap

To display a custom image or logo, you need to convert it into a bitmap array that the OLED display can understand.

Steps:

Use an online tool or software like LCD Assistant or Image2Code to convert your image.

• Use an online tool or software like LCD Assistant or Image2Code to convert your image.

The image must be monochrome (black and white) and exactly 128x64 pixels for optimal results.

• The image must be monochrome (black and white) and exactly 128x64 pixels for optimal results.

Save the output as a byte array (HEX code) that can be inserted into the Arduino sketch.

• Save the output as a byte array (HEX code) that can be inserted into the Arduino sketch.

Arduino Code Overview

Using the Adafruit SSD1306 and Adafruit GFX libraries, you can easily program the Arduino to display the image.

Basic code steps include:

Include the required libraries:

• Include the required libraries:

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#include <Adafruit_GFX.h>
#include <Adafruit_SSD1306.h>

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#include <Adafruit_GFX.h>
#include <Adafruit_SSD1306.h>

Initialize the display:

• Initialize the display:

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Adafruit_SSD1306 display(128, 64, &Wire, -1);

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Adafruit_SSD1306 display(128, 64, &Wire, -1);

In the setup() function, begin the display and clear the screen:

• In the setup() function, begin the display and clear the screen:

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display.begin(SSD1306_SWITCHCAPVCC, 0x3C);
display.clearDisplay();

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display.begin(SSD1306_SWITCHCAPVCC, 0x3C);
display.clearDisplay();

Add the bitmap code using display.drawBitmap():

• Add the bitmap code using display.drawBitmap():

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display.drawBitmap(0, 0, myImage, 128, 64, WHITE);
display.display();

cpp

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display.drawBitmap(0, 0, myImage, 128, 64, WHITE);
display.display();

This will render your custom image on the OLED screen.

Applications

Displaying logos in IoT projects

• Displaying logos in IoT projects

Branding for startup electronics

• Branding for startup electronics

Smart meters or dashboards

• Smart meters or dashboards

Game UIs on Arduino projects

• Game UIs on Arduino projects

Menu screens for embedded systems

• Menu screens for embedded systems

Conclusion

Displaying images on an OLED with Arduino Mega is a simple yet powerful feature that enhances your project’s visual appeal. Whether you're showing a brand logo, icon, or custom animation, OLEDs make your project more professional and interactive. With just a few libraries and tools, you can turn static electronics into visually engaging systems.

Try this project and take your Arduino applications to the next level!