Datasheet

Displaying Bitmaps

In this example, we'll show how to display a 128x160 pixel full color bitmap from a microSD card.

We have an example sketch in the library showing how to display full color bitmap images stored on an SD card. You'll

need a microSD card such as this one (http://adafru.it/102). You'll also need to download our SD library modified to

allow faster reads (these changes will hopefully be added to arduino v23) but for now you can download the new

library here (https://adafru.it/aP6). Download the library by clicking the Downloads button and uncompressing the

folder. Replace the files in yourArduinoIDE/libraries/SD folder (make a backup of course) and restart the IDE.

You'll also need an image. We suggest starting with this bitmap of a parrot (https://adafru.it/cmn). If you want to later

use your own image, use an image editing tool and crop your image to no larger than 160 pixels high and 128 pixels

wide. Save it as a 24-bit color BMP file - it must be 24-bit color format to work, even if it was originally a 16-bit color

image - becaue of the way BMPs are stored and displayed!

Copy the parrot.bmp to the microSD card and insert it into the micro SD card holder on your shield or breakout board.