code for blurry matrix clock

analog clock with hour and minute hands over a
gradient background that shifts through four palettes across
the day.

Author: videopixil

MatrixPortal_S3_Analog_Clock/README.md

@@ -0,0 +1,118 @@
+# SPDX-FileCopyrightText: 2026 Pedro Ruiz for Adafruit Industries
+#
+# SPDX-License-Identifier: MIT
+
+# MatrixPortal S3 Analog Clock
+
+An analog clock for the Adafruit MatrixPortal S3 with a 32x32 RGB LED
+matrix panel. The clock displays hour and minute hands over a gradient
+background that shifts through four color palettes across the day.
+Designed for use with a diffuser panel for a soft, blurred aesthetic
+inspired by LED artwork behind thick resin.
+
+## Hardware
+
+- [Adafruit MatrixPortal S3](https://www.adafruit.com/product/5778)
+- [32x32 RGB LED Matrix - 4mm Pitch (PID 607)](https://www.adafruit.com/product/607)
+- LED matrix diffuser panel (optional, recommended)
+- USB-C power supply
+
+No Address E jumper is needed for the 32x32 panel.
+
+## CircuitPython Libraries
+
+Install the following from the
+[CircuitPython Library Bundle](https://circuitpython.org/libraries)
+into the `/lib` folder on your CIRCUITPY drive:
+
+- `adafruit_ntp.mpy`
+
+These are only required for WiFi/NTP mode. The clock also runs in
+offline manual mode without them.
+
+## Installation
+
+1. Install [CircuitPython](https://circuitpython.org/board/adafruit_matrixportal_s3/)
+   on the MatrixPortal S3
+2. Copy the required libraries to `/lib` on the CIRCUITPY drive
+3. Copy `settings.toml` and `code.py` to the root of the CIRCUITPY drive
+4. Edit `settings.toml` with your WiFi credentials and standard UTC
+   offset (e.g. `-5` for US Eastern, `-8` for US Pacific)
+
+## Usage
+
+### Boot Modes
+
+**WiFi mode** — If valid WiFi credentials are in `settings.toml`, the
+clock connects to WiFi, syncs time via NTP, and starts the clock
+automatically. Time re-syncs every hour.
+
+**Offline mode** — If no WiFi credentials are found or the connection
+fails, the display shows a message and enters a manual time-set screen:
+
+- **UP button (short press)** — Increment the blinking value
+- **DOWN button (short press)** — Toggle between hours and minutes
+- **Long press either button (1.5s)** — Confirm time and start clock
+
+### Controls (Clock Running)
+
+- **UP button (short press)** — Toggle wave animation speed (calm / fast)
+- **UP button (long press 1.5s)** — Cycle display rotation (0° → 90° →
+  180° → 270°) for different USB cable mounting directions
+- **DOWN button** — Cycle background palettes (morning → day → evening →
+  night → auto)
+
+### Time Periods
+
+The background gradient changes automatically based on the time of day:
+
+| Period  | Hours       | Gradient                        | Hand Color |
+|---------|-------------|---------------------------------|------------|
+| Morning | 6 AM–12 PM  | Purple → Gold → Olive Green     | Cyan       |
+| Day     | 12 PM–5 PM  | Blue → Pale Blue → Sandy Tan    | Orange     |
+| Evening | 5 PM–8 PM   | Teal → Salmon → Periwinkle      | Yellow-Green |
+| Night   | 8 PM–6 AM   | Pink → Purple → Blue            | Yellow     |
+
+Color palettes are inspired by the Florida Arts License Plate.
+
+### Daylight Saving Time
+
+US Daylight Saving Time is computed automatically from the NTP date
+(2nd Sunday in March through 1st Sunday in November). Set
+`TZ_STD_OFFSET` in `settings.toml` to your standard UTC offset (e.g.
+`-5` for Eastern) and `DST_AUTO = "true"`. The clock adds +1 hour
+during DST with no external API dependency.
+
+For non-US timezones or locations that don't observe DST, set
+`DST_AUTO = "false"` and use the correct fixed offset.
+
+### Features
+
+- Animated wave effect on the background gradient
+- Radial glow vignette (brighter center, dimmer edges)
+- Soft glow halo around clock hands
+- Twinkling yellow stars during nighttime mode
+- Plus-shaped hour markers at each 5-minute position
+- NTP time sync with offline fallback
+- Manual time set for use without WiFi
+
+## Customization
+
+Key values to adjust at the top of `code.py`:
+
+- `WAVE_SPEED` / `WAVE_SPEED_FAST` — Animation speeds
+- `WAVE_AMP` — Wave intensity (row displacement)
+- `GRAD_*` — Background gradient color stops per period
+- `HAND_*` — Hand colors per period
+- `MARKER_*` — Hour marker colors per period
+- `MORNING_HOUR`, `DAY_HOUR`, `EVENING_HOUR`, `NIGHT_HOUR` — Period
+  boundaries (24-hour format)
+- `BG_MULTS` — Radial glow brightness tiers
+- `GLOW_RADIUS` — How far the center glow extends
+- `STARS` — Star positions and twinkle phase offsets
+
+Key values in `settings.toml`:
+
+- `TZ_STD_OFFSET` — Standard UTC offset (e.g. `-5` for Eastern)
+- `DST_AUTO` — Enable/disable US DST computation
+- `DISPLAY_ROTATION` — Default rotation (0, 90, 180, 270)