Decorative wave lighting

Decorative Ambient Wave Lighting with Arduino and Visuino

In this tutorial, you’ll learn how to build a decorative ambient lighting system using four dimmable 5V retro light modules controlled by an Arduino and Visuino. The lights create a smooth, continuous wave effect, where each bulb gently fades in and out while the next one begins its cycle.

The result is a relaxing, vintage-style glow perfect for mood lighting, decorative setups, or interactive displays. The system runs automatically—no buttons or user input required.

How the Wave Effect Works

Each light is driven by its own analog sine-wave signal in Visuino, allowing independent brightness control. Slightly different frequencies are used so the lights fade at different speeds, creating a flowing wave pattern.

Signal Settings

Light 1: Amplitude 0.4, Frequency 0.4 Hz, Offset 0.6

• Light 1: Amplitude 0.4, Frequency 0.4 Hz, Offset 0.6

Light 2: Amplitude 0.4, Frequency 0.36 Hz, Offset 0.6

• Light 2: Amplitude 0.4, Frequency 0.36 Hz, Offset 0.6

Light 3: Amplitude 0.4, Frequency 0.32 Hz, Offset 0.6

• Light 3: Amplitude 0.4, Frequency 0.32 Hz, Offset 0.6

Light 4: Amplitude 0.4, Frequency 0.28 Hz, Offset 0.6

• Light 4: Amplitude 0.4, Frequency 0.28 Hz, Offset 0.6

These values ensure smooth fade-ins and fade-outs with a continuous shifting motion.

Power Notes (Important)

Retro incandescent bulbs: The Arduino cannot supply enough current for four bulbs. Use an external 5V power supply, and make sure the ground is shared with the Arduino.

• Retro incandescent bulbs: The Arduino cannot supply enough current for four bulbs. Use an external 5V power supply, and make sure the ground is shared with the Arduino.

LED modules: These usually work directly from the Arduino’s 5V pin. Use appropriate series resistors (typically 1KΩ).

• LED modules: These usually work directly from the Arduino’s 5V pin. Use appropriate series resistors (typically 1KΩ).

What You’ll Learn

How to connect four retro light modules to an Arduino

• How to connect four retro light modules to an Arduino

How to control multiple lights independently using analog signals

• How to control multiple lights independently using analog signals

How to create smooth fading effects

• How to create smooth fading effects

How to generate shifting wave patterns with different frequencies

• How to generate shifting wave patterns with different frequencies

How to safely power higher-current lighting projects

• How to safely power higher-current lighting projects

How to build an automatic decorative lighting system without buttons

• How to build an automatic decorative lighting system without buttons

📥 Download the Visuino project file at the bottom🎥 Watch the video tutorial for visual guidance

Step 1: Required Components

Arduino (UNO or compatible board)

• Arduino (UNO or compatible board)

4 × 5V Retro Light Bulb Modules (E10 incandescent)

External 5V power supply (for bulbs)

• External 5V power supply (for bulbs)

Common ground with Arduino

• Common ground with Arduino
• 4 × 5V Retro Light Bulb Modules (E10 incandescent)External 5V power supply (for bulbs)Common ground with Arduino

Jumper wires

• Jumper wires

Visuino software (download from Visuino website)

• Visuino software (download from Visuino website)

Note: You may substitute LED modules or other lights. Use a 1KΩ resistor in series if needed.

Note: You may substitute LED modules or other lights. Use a 1KΩ resistor in series if needed.

Step 2: Circuit Connections

Arduino D3 → Retro Light 1 IN

• Arduino D3 → Retro Light 1 IN

Arduino D5 → Retro Light 2 IN

• Arduino D5 → Retro Light 2 IN

Arduino D6 → Retro Light 3 IN

• Arduino D6 → Retro Light 3 IN

Arduino D9 → Retro Light 4 IN

• Arduino D9 → Retro Light 4 IN

Power connections:

Arduino 5V → All Retro Light VCC pins

• Arduino 5V → All Retro Light VCC pins

Arduino GND → All Retro Light GND pins

• Arduino GND → All Retro Light GND pins

Step 3: Select the Board in Visuino

Launch Visuino

• Launch Visuino

Click the Tools button on the Arduino component

• Click the Tools button on the Arduino component

Select Arduino UNO as the board type

• Select Arduino UNO as the board type

Step 4: Add Components in Visuino

Add four “Sine Analog Generator” components

• Add four “Sine Analog Generator” components

Step 5: Configure the Sine Generators

Set the following properties:

SineAnalogGenerator1

Amplitude: 0.4

• Amplitude: 0.4

Frequency: 0.4 Hz

• Frequency: 0.4 Hz

Offset: 0.6

• Offset: 0.6

SineAnalogGenerator2

Amplitude: 0.4

• Amplitude: 0.4

Frequency: 0.36 Hz

• Frequency: 0.36 Hz

Offset: 0.6

• Offset: 0.6

SineAnalogGenerator3

Amplitude: 0.4

• Amplitude: 0.4

Frequency: 0.32 Hz

• Frequency: 0.32 Hz

Offset: 0.6

• Offset: 0.6

SineAnalogGenerator4

Amplitude: 0.4

• Amplitude: 0.4

Frequency: 0.28 Hz

• Frequency: 0.28 Hz

Offset: 0.6

• Offset: 0.6

Step 6: Connect Components in Visuino

Generator 1 Output → Arduino D3

• Generator 1 Output → Arduino D3

Generator 2 Output → Arduino D5

• Generator 2 Output → Arduino D5

Generator 3 Output → Arduino D6

• Generator 3 Output → Arduino D6

Generator 4 Output → Arduino D9

• Generator 4 Output → Arduino D9

Step 7: Build and Upload

Click the Build tab in Visuino

• Click the Build tab in Visuino

Select the correct COM port

• Select the correct COM port

Click Compile / Build and Upload

• Click Compile / Build and Upload

Step 8: Enjoy the Result

Once uploaded, the lights will automatically begin cycling in a smooth wave pattern.

🎉 Congratulations! Your ambient wave lighting system is complete.You can download and open the included Visuino project file from the Visuino website for reference or customization.