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Bring Your Models to Life with Light and Motion
You’ve spent hours getting every detail just right. The structure is built, the scene is set. But something’s missing.
It doesn’t glow.
It doesn’t flicker.
It doesn’t move.
That’s where I come in.
At Leaping Cat Model Works, I offer custom MCU-controlled lighting systems built specifically for your layout, your vision, and your models. Whether you’re lighting up a single scene or an entire town, light is what makes it come alive.
🔧 What I Build
These aren’t just simple lights. I build custom lighting systems powered by microcontrollers—tiny programmable “brains” that bring your models to life.
Think of a microcontroller (MCU) like a mini computer that fits inside your layout or structure. It gives you detailed control over how lights behave—not just on and off, but fading, flickering, sequencing, and reacting to motion, time of day, or your own inputs.
That means I can create effects like:
- Lights that flicker like firelight or welding sparks
- Headlights that fade in and out realistically
- Randomized interior lighting for buildings
- Sequenced animations for signs or street scenes
- Lighting that responds to sensors, buttons, or timers
I use the same kind of tech found in smart devices—tuned for HO scale and built around my own uCore Embedded Platform and LumiEase system. You don’t need to program anything or wire it up yourself—I handle the technical side so you can focus on the creative.
🎯 Who It’s For
- Modelers who want something more immersive
- Professionals looking for museum-quality realism
- Builders entering shows or competitions
- Anyone who wants their models to feel alive
🧰 How It Works
Every project starts with a simple conversation.
- Tell me what you want to light up.
A few photos or a sketch and a quick idea of what you want it to do is all I need to start. - I’ll work with you to plan the right setup.
Whether it’s plug-and-play or something you’ll solder in yourself, I’ll help you figure out what fits. - I build it.
Using my LumiEase system and custom firmware, I’ll put together a tested, compact solution that’s ready to go. - You plug it in. Watch it come alive.
Everything ships ready to use. Just hook it up and enjoy the show.
💡 Why Go MCU-Controlled?
| Standard Lighting | MCU-Controlled Lighting | |
|---|---|---|
| On/Off Control | ✔️ Yes | ✔️ Yes + timed, triggered, or animated |
| Realistic Effects | ❌ No | ✔️ Yes (fade, flicker, random, chase…) |
| Interactivity | ❌ No | ✔️ Motion sensors, buttons, more |
| Programmability | ❌ Fixed | ✔️ Fully customizable behavior |
| Plug & Play Option | ⚠️ Sometimes | ✔️ Yes |
💬 Start a Project
Got something in mind? Use the form below to tell me about your scene, or just email me directly at jamie@leapingcatmodelworks.com.
Let’s light it up—together.