---
title: "Pixel Mapping Modes Explained - DMXDesktop LED Guide"
description: "Linear, grid, snake, spiral and checkerboard layouts, with diagrams showing how each one runs pixels across your LED fixtures. Pick the right one first time."
canonical: https://www.dmxdesktop.com/pixel-mapping
lang: en
source: /pixel-mapping
---

![LED pixel display background](/assets/images/optimized/aditya-chinchure-TE50158gdvs-unsplash-400w.jpeg)

# Pixel Mapping

Control how your pixels are addressed, arranged, and animated

## Pixel Mapping Layouts

DMXDesktop gives you full control over how your pixels are addressed, arranged, and animated. Whether you're working with strips, grids, or custom panel designs, the layout direction defines how DMX channels are assigned to each LED.

### Linear Layouts

Used for LED strips or single-row displays.

- • Left to Right: Pixels are ordered from start to end across the row.
- • Right to Left: Same as above, but reversed.

### 2D Grid - Linear

Ideal for panels or matrices with consistent wiring rows or columns.

- • Top to Bottom: Data flows down each column before moving right.
- • Bottom to Top: Like top-to-bottom but in reverse.
- • Left to Right: Rows fill left to right, row by row.
- • Right to Left: Same as above but reversed across each row.

### 2D Grid - Snake

Optimized for zig-zag wiring patterns to reduce cable length.

- • Snake Left-Right: Even rows go left→right, odd rows go right→left.
- • Snake Right-Left: Opposite: even rows go right→left, odd left→right.
- • Snake Top-Bottom / Bottom-Top: Snake patterns in vertical columns instead.

### 2D Grid - Special

For creative panel setups.

- • Spiral Clockwise: Spirals from outer edge inward clockwise.
- • Spiral Counter-clockwise: Spirals inward in the opposite direction.
- • Checkerboard: Alternates between black and white square orderings.

![Diagram showing various pixel mapping layout patterns including linear, grid, snake, spiral, and checkerboard patterns](/assets/images/optimized/grid-layouts-400w.jpeg)Example Grid Layouts

New in v1.0.52

## Pixel strips in the 3D view

- • Gigbar pixel strips are drawn as a real strip in the 3D view, and are lit pixel by pixel.
- • Pixel bars now respect the Effects switch. A group with Effects turned off could still have its pixel bars chasing away.

## Ready to Map Your Pixels?

Download DMXDesktop and start creating stunning pixel-mapped effects.

[Download Now](/download)