Any way to have a smooth fade effect? about neopixel-stair HOT 2 CLOSED

// LED-Staircase by Jannomag
// Modified code, original made by Vinz68! Thanks for this!


#include <Adafruit_NeoPixel.h> // Base library for LED controlling
#include <WS2812FX.h> // Additional library for easy effects in "Partymode"

#ifdef __AVR__
#include <avr/power.h>
#endif

///////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////
// Neopixel configuration
#define PIN           9   // Pin used for the LEDs
#define LEDSTRIPS     14   // Number of stairs
#define LEDSPERSTAIR  30   // Number of leds per stair
#define NUMPIXELS     LEDSTRIPS*LEDSPERSTAIR   // Calculate the total number of LEDs
#define BRIGHTNESS    35  // Brightness of the LEDs
#define STEPBRIGHTNESS 255 // brightness of the steps when on

///////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////
// Additional input (switches)
#define CLEANINGMODE  4   // Switch for turning all LEDs on 
#define PARTYMODE     5   // Switch for enabling fancy RGB party mode

///////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////
// Setup of NeoPixel and WS2812FX
// I was using SK6812 RGBW LEDs. If using RGB-only LED strips like WS2812, change "NEO_GRBW" to "NEO_GRB"
Adafruit_NeoPixel strip = Adafruit_NeoPixel(NUMPIXELS, PIN, NEO_GRBW + NEO_KHZ800);
WS2812FX ws2812fx = WS2812FX(NUMPIXELS, PIN, NEO_GRBW + NEO_KHZ800);


///////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////
// Configuration of PIR sensors
int alarmPinTop = 2;              // PIR at the top of the stairs
int alarmPinBottom = 3;           // PIR at the bottom of the stairs                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                     ;          // PIR at the bottom of the stairs
int alarmValueTop = LOW;          // Variable to hold the PIR status
int alarmValueBottom = LOW;       // Variable to hold the PIR status

///////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////
// Configuration of the Light dependent resistor (LDR)
bool useLDR = true;               // flag, when true the program uses the LDR, set to "false" if you don't have a LDR sensor.
int LDRSensor = A6;               // Light dependent resistor, Analog Input line 
long LDRValue = 0;                // Variable to hold the current measured LDR value
long LDRThreshold = 600;          // Only switch on LED's at night when LDR senses low light conditions - you may have to change this value for your circumstances!
// Define the number of samples to keep track of. The higher the number, the more the readings will be smoothed, but the slower the output will respond to the input. 
// For our use case (determine the ammout of light) smoothing is good, so walk-by the LDR sensor or a sensor read spike is ingnored. 
const int numReadings = 100;
int readings[numReadings];        // the readings from the analog input
int readIndex = 0;                // the index of the current reading
long total = 0;                   // the running total
long average = 0;                 // the average

///////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////
// configuration for fading
int turnOnSpeed = 100;                // speed to turn on next led-strip, in msec between next strip
int turnOffSpeed = 10;               // speed to turn off next led-strip, in msec between next strip
int keepLedsOnTime = 5000;            // keep leds on for at least .. msec.
int keepLedsOffTime = 0;              // keep leds off for at least .. msec.
int stepFade = 0;                     // Variable for fading the step

///////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////
// constants won't change:
const long LEDinterval = 300;
// Set up Variables for the needed program logic (DO NOT TOUCH THESE!)
unsigned long previousLEDMillis = 0;        // will store last time LED was updated
unsigned long timeOut = 0;        // timestamp to remember when the PIR was triggered.
unsigned long timeLoopStart = 0;  // timestamp to remember when loop has started. used to determine the end-delay (keeps loop running in same intervals)
unsigned long timeTemp = 0;       // temp. var used in time calculations
unsigned long timeDiff = 0;       // temp. var used in time calculations
bool readPIRInputs = true;        // flag, when true, reads the PIR sensors. Disabled (false) by the program when LDR indicated that there is enough light.
int downUp = 0;                   // main program mode, The possible values are:
                                  //  0   =   Idle mode, waiting for PIR trigger to turn stairs on.
                                  //  1   =   Going down, Turning stairs on (direction up to down)
                                  //  2   =   Going up, Turnurning stairs on (direction down to up)
                                  //  3   =   Turning leds off, from top to down
                                  //  4   =   Turninf leds off, from bottom to up
                                  //  5   =   All leds just turned off. After short time, automatically mode will be set to "0".
                                  
///////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////
//WS2812FX LED Effects für Partymode
#define DEFAULT_SPEED         1000  // Speed of the effects
#define DEFAULT_BRIGHTNESS    50    // Brightness of the effects
#define TIMER_MS              5000  // Defines the time in ms for each mode
unsigned long last_change = 0;      // Variable for looping
unsigned long now = 0;              // Variable for looping               
// Filter array for WS2812FX mode counters which should be disabled, not working atm.
const int forbiddenModes[] = {0, 1, 2, 3, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 34, 35, 45, 48, 50 };

///////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////
// Configuration of first steps variables
int bottomStep[] = {0,1};   // Array of pixel numbers for the first step, count from 0 to the number on your first step at the bottom
int topStep[] = {8,9};      // Array of pixel numbers for the first step, count backwards from your last pixel number 
int bFade = 0;              // Fade state
bool useFirstStepsAtDaylight = true;  // flag, when true the program will use the firstStep function also during daylight (when useLDR=true)


///////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////
// Configuration of the cleaning light and partymode
int cleaningModeActive = 0;       // Variable for storing the state of the cleaning light
int partyModeActive = 0;          // Variable for storing the state of party mode
int arduinoRunsLED = 12;          // status LED, to show the Arduino is up and running
int cleaningModeLED = 11;         // status LED for cleaning mode
int partyModeLED = 10;            // status LED for party mode
int arduinoRunsLEDState = LOW;  // ledState used to set the running LED


void setup() {
  // Initiate WS2812FX
  ws2812fx.init();
  ws2812fx.setBrightness(DEFAULT_BRIGHTNESS);
  ws2812fx.setSpeed(DEFAULT_SPEED);
  ws2812fx.setColor(0xFF000000); // only for RGBW! If using RGB, use 0x000000. FF000000 sets the color to the white LEDs
  ws2812fx.start();

  strip.begin();                    // This initializes the NeoPixel library.

  strip.setBrightness(BRIGHTNESS);  // Sets the brightness of the LEDs (change 'BRIGHTNESS' defined value when you need to change it)
  clearStrip();                     // Initialize all pixels to 'off', and do strip.show()

  // Configure the used digital input & output
  pinMode(alarmPinTop, INPUT_PULLUP);     // for PIR at top of stairs initialise the input pin and use the internal restistor
  pinMode(alarmPinBottom, INPUT_PULLUP);  // for PIR at bottom of stairs initialise the input pin and use the internal restistor

  pinMode(CLEANINGMODE, INPUT_PULLUP);    // sets the internal pullup resistor for input. Connect the switches to the Arduino and Ground!
  pinMode(PARTYMODE, INPUT_PULLUP);       // sets the internal pullup resistor for input. Connect the switches to the Arduino and Ground!

  pinMode(arduinoRunsLED, OUTPUT);        // Sets the LED as output
  pinMode(cleaningModeLED, OUTPUT);       // Sets the LED as output
  pinMode(partyModeLED, OUTPUT);          // Sets the LED as output
                                                                           
  Serial.begin(9600);      // only required for debugging. Output some settings in the Serial Monitor Window 
  Serial.println("-------------------------------------------------"); 
  Serial.print("NeoPixel used on outout-pin [");  
  Serial.print(PIN); 
  Serial.print("] with ");  
  Serial.print(NUMPIXELS); 
  Serial.println(" Pixels"); 
  Serial.print("Number of LED-strips: ");
  Serial.println(LEDSTRIPS); 
  Serial.print("Number of LEDs per strip: ");
  Serial.println(LEDSPERSTAIR); 
  
  if (useLDR) {
    // initialize all the LDR-readings to current values...
    for (int thisReading = 0; thisReading < numReadings; thisReading++) {
      readings[thisReading] = analogRead(LDRSensor);
      total = total + readings[thisReading];
    }
    // ... and calculate the average value of [numReadings] samples.
    LDRValue = total / numReadings;

    Serial.print("LDR used on analog input pin [");
    Serial.print(LDRSensor);
    Serial.println("]");
    Serial.print("Determine number of samples for average value: ");
    Serial.println( numReadings );
    Serial.print("LDR average value = ");
    Serial.println( LDRValue );
    Serial.print("Stairs will work when LDR average value <= ");
    Serial.println(LDRThreshold);
  }
  Serial.println("-------------------------------------------------"); 


  delay (2000); // it takes the sensor 2 seconds to scan the area around it before it can detect infrared presence.
  digitalWrite(arduinoRunsLED, HIGH); // Turns on the Arduino-Runs LED after the setup is completed
  
}

void loop() {

  // While loop for cleaning and party modes
  while ( ( cleaningModeActive == 0 ) && ( partyModeActive == 0 ) ) {    // While both modes are inactive...
    if ( digitalRead(CLEANINGMODE) == LOW ) {   // if the switch for cleaning mode is ON (==LOW)...
      cleaningModeActive=1;                     // set the cleaningModeActive variable to 1
      digitalWrite(arduinoRunsLED, LOW);        // and the running LED off
    }
    if ( digitalRead(PARTYMODE) == LOW ) {      // if the switch for party mode is ON (==LOW)...
      partyModeActive=1;                        // set the cleaningModeActive variable to 1
      digitalWrite(arduinoRunsLED, LOW);        // and the running LED off
    }
    
    // register the current time (in msec, for later use to optimize the execution loop)
    timeLoopStart=millis();

    // By default read the PIR inputs (unless LDR sensors are used and it is light enough...)
    readPIRInputs = true;
    if ( useLDR ) {
      // Read the (new) average value of the LDR (we use a sample array to filter out walk-by and sensor spikes)
      LDRValue = readAverageLDR();

      // For finetuning, show the LDR value, so the LDRThreshold can be determined ; once it works disable the next statement with '//'
      // Serial.println(LDRValue); 

      // Check if LDR senses low light conditions ...
      if ( LDRValue >= LDRThreshold ) {   
        // There is enough light, the stairs/ledstips will not be activated (readPIRInputs = false)
        readPIRInputs = false;

        unsigned long currentLEDMillis = millis();

        // let the running LED blink when the LDR detects light
        if ( currentLEDMillis - previousLEDMillis >= LEDinterval ) {
          // save the last time you blinked the LED
          previousLEDMillis = currentLEDMillis;

          // if the LED is off turn it on and vice-versa:
          if ( arduinoRunsLED == LOW ) {
            arduinoRunsLEDState = HIGH;
          } else {
            arduinoRunsLEDState = LOW;
          }

          // set the LED with the ledState of the variable:
          digitalWrite(arduinoRunsLED, arduinoRunsLEDState);
        }

        // Show that stair will not turn on / on PIR detection, due to LDR logic (daylight mode detected)
        // NOTE: These "Serial" statement can be deleted when everything works fine.
        //       its here for finetuning the LDRThreshold value, which you should configure in the begin of this file.
        Serial.println("LDR detected Daylight according to LDRThreshold configuration.");
        Serial.print("LDR Average value = ");
        Serial.println(LDRValue);
      }
      else {
        // It is dark enough. The stairs/ledstips will be activated. (readPIRInputs = true)
        alarmValueTop = LOW;
        alarmValueBottom = LOW;
        digitalWrite(arduinoRunsLED, HIGH);   // Turns on running LED
      }
    }
    
    
    // Read the PIR inputs ?
    if (readPIRInputs) {
      alarmValueTop = digitalRead(alarmPinTop); // Constantly poll the PIR at the top of the stairs
      alarmValueBottom = digitalRead(alarmPinBottom); // Constantly poll the PIR at the bottom of the stairs
    }
    
    // Check if PIR Top was triggered an leds must be turned on
    if ( (alarmValueTop == HIGH) && (downUp == 0) ) { // the 2nd term indicates that there is currently no activity (up or down)
      timeOut=millis(); // Timestamp when the PIR is triggered. The LED cycle wil then start.
      downUp = 1;
      colourWipeDown( turnOnSpeed ); // Warm White,led-light from top to down. If using RGB-strips just use 3 color values like (255,255,255) for white
    }
  
    // Check if PIR Bottom was triggered an leds must be turned on
    if ( (alarmValueBottom == HIGH) && (downUp == 0)) { // the 2nd term indicates that there is currently no activity (up or down)
      timeOut=millis(); // Timestamp when the PIR is triggered. The LED cycle wil then start.
      downUp = 2;
      colourWipeUp( turnOnSpeed ); // Warm White,led-light from bottom to top. If using RGB-strips just use 3 color values like (255,255,255) for white
    }
  
    // Restart on-timer when a PIR sensor gets HIGH again while the lights are on
    if ( ( downUp != 0 ) && ( ( alarmValueTop == HIGH ) || ( alarmValueBottom == HIGH ) ) ) {
      timeOut=millis();
    }
    
    // Logic to turn the leds off (determines the turn-off direction)
    if ( (downUp!=0) && (timeOut+keepLedsOnTime < millis()) ) { //switch off LED's in the direction of travel.
      if (downUp == 1) {
        downUp = 3;     // mode = turn off leds from top to down
        colourWipeDownOff( turnOffSpeed ); // Off
        downUp=5;      // Stairs are just turned off    
      }
      if (downUp == 2) {
        downUp = 4;  // mode = turn off leds from bottom to top      
        colourWipeUpOff( turnOffSpeed ); // Off
        downUp=5;      // Stairs are just turned off          
      }
  }
    // Enable firstSteps Effect when needed.
    if (downUp==0) {          // Currently no activity on the stairs ? (in idle mode, not turned (or turning) on or off ?) 
  
      // Check if PIRs are read (not when it is dark), or when breathe function must also work during the day
      if ( ( readPIRInputs==true ) && ( (readPIRInputs) || (useFirstStepsAtDaylight) ) ) {    
        firstSteps(); // set fader for firstSteps to 0
      } 
      else {
        bFade = 0;
        clearStrip();          // during daylight all leds turned off.
      }
    }
    else if (downUp==5) {     // eventually the stairs led lights will be turned off again (mode=5)
      delay(keepLedsOffTime); // allow small delay/pause and then activate the stairs again with the breathe and motion detection function
      downUp=0;               // set to 0 to allow breathe/motion detection (-1 for debugging one run)
      bFade = 0; // set fader for firstSteps to 0
    }
  }
  // while loops for cleaning and party mode. If the variables are ==1, run the voids.
  while ( cleaningModeActive == 1 ) {
    cleaningMode();
  }
  while ( partyModeActive == 1 ) {
    partyMode();
  }

}

long readAverageLDR() {

  // Subtract the last reading:
  total = total - readings[readIndex];
  
  // Read the current value of the Light Sensor, and store in samples array
  readings[readIndex] = analogRead(LDRSensor);

  // Add the reading to the total:
  total = total + readings[readIndex];
  
  // Advance to the next position in the array:
  readIndex = readIndex + 1;

  // If we're at the end of the array...
  if (readIndex >= numReadings) {
    // ...wrap around to the beginning:
    readIndex = 0;
  }

  // Calculate the average:
  average = total / numReadings;

  return (average);
}

void cleaningMode() {
  digitalWrite(cleaningModeLED, HIGH);                // turns on the cleaning mode LED
  for (int l=0; l<NUMPIXELS; l++){                    // for every LED
    strip.setBrightness(255);                         // set additional brightness
    strip.setPixelColor(l, strip.Color(0,0,0,255));   // set white as color, note RGB strips need three color values instead of four!
  }
  strip.show();                                       // This sends the updated pixel's to the hardware.  
  if ( digitalRead(CLEANINGMODE) == HIGH ) {          // if the cleaning mode switch is OFF
    digitalWrite(arduinoRunsLED, HIGH);               // turn on the arduino runing LED
    digitalWrite(cleaningModeLED, LOW);               // turn off the cleaning mode LED
    clearStrip();                                     // clear the strip
    downUp=5;                                         // set the stairs variable to 5
    cleaningModeActive=0;                             // set the cleaning mode variable to 0
    strip.setBrightness(BRIGHTNESS);                  // set brightness to the value defined on top
    delay(100);                                       // delay for debouncing the switch
  }
}

void partyMode() {
  digitalWrite(partyModeLED, HIGH);   // turn the partyModeLED on
  now = millis();   // start millis() 
  ws2812fx.service();   // initiate ws2812fx
  if(now - last_change > TIMER_MS) {    // if the timer reaches TIMER_MS value (default 5000ms)
    uint8_t nextMode = ws2812fx.getMode() + 1;    // add 1 to the mode counter
    // Filter for WS2812FX mode counters. Couldn't get the array from the top working
    // If the nextMode variable equals one of those numbers, set nextMode to the next number which is allowed
    if ( ( nextMode == 1 ) || ( nextMode == 2 ) || ( nextMode == 3 ) ) nextMode = 4;
    if ( ( nextMode == 24 ) || ( nextMode == 25 ) || ( nextMode == 26 ) || ( nextMode == 27 ) || ( nextMode == 28 ) || ( nextMode == 29 ) ) nextMode = 30;
    if ( ( nextMode == 34 ) || ( nextMode == 35 ) ) nextMode = 36;
    if ( ( nextMode == 45 ) ) nextMode = 46;
    if ( ( nextMode == 48 ) ) nextMode = 49;
    if ( ( nextMode == 50 ) ) nextMode = 51;
    
    // 2 tries for filter using the array...doesn't work, so commented out
    /*if ( nextMode == forbiddenModes[nextMode] ) {
      nextMode+1;
    } */
    /*if ( nextMode == forbiddenModes[nextMode] ) {
      nextMode = nextMode +1 ;
    }*/
    ws2812fx.setMode(nextMode % ws2812fx.getModeCount());   // let WS2812FX show the mode
    last_change = now;    // set timer to 0
   
  }
  
  if ( digitalRead(PARTYMODE) == HIGH ) {   // if the partymode switch is HIGH, means it's turned OFF!
    digitalWrite(arduinoRunsLED, HIGH);     // turn on the arduino running LED
    digitalWrite(partyModeLED, LOW);        // turn off the partymode led
    clearStrip();                           // "clear" the strip by using the clearStrip() function
    downUp=5;                               // set the stair mode to 5
    partyModeActive=0;                       // set partyMode to 0
    delay(100);                             // delay for debouncing the switch
  }
}

// fades in the first steps, defined by bottomSteps and topSteps. bFade is the brightness of the white color
void firstSteps() { 
  for (bFade; bFade < 30; bFade++) {
    for (int i = 0; i < LEDSPERSTAIR; i++) {
      strip.setPixelColor(bottomStep[i], strip.Color(0,0,0,bFade));
      strip.setPixelColor(topStep[i], strip.Color(0,0,0,bFade));
      strip.show();
      delay(0);
    }
    delay(6);
  }
}

// Fade in each step, up to down
void colourWipeDown(uint16_t wait) {                              // get the wait variable from the loop
  for (uint16_t k = 0; k < LEDSTRIPS; k++){                       // count up the numbers of strip in a loop
    int start = (NUMPIXELS/LEDSTRIPS) *k;                         // set the LEDs per strip
    for ( stepFade = 0; stepFade < STEPBRIGHTNESS; stepFade++) {  // fade from 0 to STEPBRIGHTNESS
      for (uint16_t j = start; j < start + LEDSPERSTAIR; j++){    // set the lights for each pixel on each step
        strip.setPixelColor(j, strip.Color(0,0,0,stepFade));      // using j as variable for each step, color it to the white LED using stepFade variable (if using RGB LEDs remove a color byte)
        strip.show();                                             // let the strip show the awesome light effect
        }
        delay(0);                                                 // needed delay, even with 0, for fading
    }
    delay(wait);                                                  // wait until the LEDs turn off
    wait = wait +50;                                              // adds a bit time each step to have a nice effect
  }
}

// Fade out each step, up to down
void colourWipeDownOff(uint16_t wait) {                           // Same as above, just vice versa
  for (uint16_t k = 0; k < LEDSTRIPS; k++) {
    int start = ( NUMPIXELS / LEDSTRIPS ) * k;
    for ( stepFade = STEPBRIGHTNESS; stepFade > 0; stepFade-- ) {
      for ( uint16_t j = start; j < start + LEDSPERSTAIR; j++ ) {
        strip.setPixelColor(j, strip.Color(0,0,0,stepFade));
        strip.show();
      }
      delay(0);
    }
    delay(wait);
    wait = wait +50;
   }
}

// Fade in each step, down to up
void colourWipeUp(uint16_t wait) {
  for (uint16_t k = LEDSTRIPS; k > 0; k--){
    int start = (NUMPIXELS/LEDSTRIPS) *k;
    for ( stepFade = 0; stepFade < STEPBRIGHTNESS; stepFade++) {
      for ( uint16_t j = start; j < start + LEDSPERSTAIR; j++){
        strip.setPixelColor(j-LEDSPERSTAIR, strip.Color(0,0,0,stepFade));
        strip.show();
        }
        delay(0);
    }
    delay(wait);
    wait = wait +20; // adds a bit time each step to have a nice effect
  }
}

// Fade out each step, down to up
void colourWipeUpOff(uint16_t wait) {
  for (uint16_t k = LEDSTRIPS; k > 0; k--){
    int start = (NUMPIXELS/LEDSTRIPS) *k;
    for ( stepFade = STEPBRIGHTNESS; stepFade > 0; stepFade--) {
      for ( uint16_t j = start; j < start + LEDSPERSTAIR; j++){
        strip.setPixelColor(j-LEDSPERSTAIR, strip.Color(0,0,0,stepFade));
        strip.show();
        }
        delay(0);
    }
    delay(wait);
    wait = wait +20; // adds a bit time each step to have a nice effect
  }
}


void clearStrip(){
  // All pixels off
  for (int l=0; l<NUMPIXELS; l++){
    strip.setPixelColor(l, strip.Color(0,0,0,0));
  }
  strip.show(); // This sends the updated pixel's to the hardware.  
}