iCubeSmart 3D8S LED Cube Program Download Manual

Step 1: Install the driver for the downloader

Find the downloader included in the kit.

The USB-to-TTL serial converter (downloader) is shown with three Dupont jumper wires (purple, green, blue) attached. It features a USB-A connector and pins labeled TXD, RXD, GND, VCC, 3V3.

Connect the three Dupont cables to the TXD, RXD, and GND pins of the downloader. Ensure the yellow short-circuit cap is connected to VCC and 3V3. Note: The 5V pin is not used for this connection.

A close-up view of the downloader's pins (VCC, 3V3, TXD, RXD, GND) with a yellow jumper bridging VCC and 3V3. Dupont cables are connected to TXD, RXD, and GND.

Connect the other end of the Dupont wires to the download connector of the cube. Ensure TXD connects to TXD, RXD to RXD, and GND to GND.

Then, connect the downloader to your computer's USB port. ?

The downloader, connected to the LED cube's download port, is plugged into a laptop's USB port.

Right-click on 'This PC' and select 'Manage'. ⚙️

A screenshot of Windows Explorer showing 'This PC' selected, with the context menu open displaying the 'Manage' option.

The system should detect the download cable device. If no COM mark is displayed on the device icon, the driver is not installed.

Computer Management > Device Manager window showing an unknown device listed under 'Other devices' because the driver is missing.

Double-click Usb Drive-ch341ser.exe located in the '3-Download Tool and Drive' folder. Ensure the downloader is connected and the yellow jumper is set to VCC and 3V3.

A file explorer window displaying the '3-Download Tool and Drive' folder with Usb Drive-ch341ser.exe highlighted.

After launching the executable, the 'Device Driver Install / Uninstall' window will appear. Select 'INSTALL'. ✔️

The driver installation wizard for 'Device Driver Install / Uninstall' is shown, with the INF file selected and the 'INSTALL' button ready.

A success message will confirm the installation. ✔️

A driver installation success prompt with an 'OK' button.

Open Device Manager again. You should now see the corresponding COM port number listed under 'Ports (COM & LPT)', typically as 'USB-SERIAL CH340 (COMx)' (e.g., COM5).

Computer Management > Device Manager window showing 'Ports (COM & LPT)' expanded, with 'USB-SERIAL CH340 (COM5)' listed, confirming successful driver installation.

Step 2: Open the download tool, Download the animation program

Double-click Download Tool STC-ISP-V6.87B.exe to launch the STC-ISP software.

The STC-ISP download tool interface is displayed, featuring various configuration options and a table listing compatible MCU types.

If the software opens with a Chinese interface, switch to English by clicking the appropriate icon. ➡️

A screenshot of the STC-ISP software showing Chinese UI elements, with an indicator for switching to the English interface.

First, select the correct MCU model. For this guide, use STC12C5A60S2.

The STC-ISP software with the 'MCU Type' dropdown set to STC12C5A60S2, and the MCU selection table visible.

Next, select the correct COM Port from the dropdown menu (e.g., COM5; this may vary depending on your computer). Then, click the 'Open Code File' button. ➡️

The STC-ISP interface highlighting the COM Port selection and the 'Open Code File' button.

Navigate to the '2-3D animation edit softwave' folder and select the output.hex file. This is your compiled animation program.

The 'Open Code File' dialog box showing the output.hex file selected within the '2-3D animation edit softwave' folder.

Click 'Open'. Keep the default settings in the STC-ISP window and click 'Download/Program'.

The STC-ISP interface after opening output.hex, with default settings displayed and the 'Download/Program' button highlighted.

After clicking 'Download/Program', connect the 5V2A power adapter to the cube. The software will detect the motherboard and begin the download process upon power-on. ?

A screenshot of the STC-ISP interface after initiating the download, alongside an image of a black USB-to-DC cable connecting to a 5V2A power adapter.

A progress bar will appear as the software downloads the program.

The STC-ISP software displaying the download progress bar.

Once the download is complete, the software will show 'Complete'. ✔️

The STC-ISP software displaying the 'Complete' status message, indicating a successful download.

Troubleshooting Download Failures

Common Issues and Solutions

1. "Open COM port fail" Error ❗

This error typically means the USB driver for the downloader has not been installed correctly. Please follow Step 1 to reinstall the driver.

2. Download Process Failure

If the download fails repeatedly, try changing the 'Max Baud' setting in STC-ISP to 9600. This often improves download success rates.

3. Software Stays on Interface After Clicking "Download/Program" and Connecting Power ⚠️

This can occur if the motherboard doesn't enter the download state properly. Possible causes include:

Insufficient Power: The 5V2A power adapter supply is too low, causing voltage drops during power-on.
Software State: The software may not have entered its standby state correctly.

Solutions:

Click "Stop" on the STC-ISP interface, then click "Download/Program", and then connect the 5V2A power adapter. Repeat this sequence a few times.
Close the STC-ISP software. Unplug the downloader from the computer. Reconnect the downloader to a different USB port, reopen the software, and try downloading again.
Check the physical connections between the downloader and the Cube motherboard: Downloader TXD to Cube TXD, RXD to RXD, GND to GND. (Ensure 5V is NOT connected between them).
If connections are confirmed correct, re-verify the driver installation by referring back to Step 1.

Testing the Downloader and Driver ⚙️

You can verify if the downloader, driver, and cube are functioning correctly:

In the STC-ISP software, select the 'COM Helper' tab.
Choose the option indicated by the arrow in the figure below.
Click 'Open COM'.
Press the Reset button on the motherboard.
If text appears in the red box, it indicates that the downloader, driver, and cube motherboard are functioning correctly.

Screenshot of the STC-ISP software's 'COM Helper' tab, highlighting the 'Open COM' button and a red box where test output text will appear after pressing the motherboard's reset button.

If the downloader and driver test is successful but downloads still fail, try using a different power supply, a different USB port, or a different computer. ?

4. "Data Error: XXXXXXXXXX" Message ❗

If you encounter this specific error message, please email icubesmart@gmail.com with the exact 'Data Error' text. Support engineers will assist you. ?

Contact and Support

For any other problems, please email icubesmart@gmail.com. ?

For online assistance, you can add our Skype account: https://join.skype.com/invite/CmERNASoXvtN ?