Category Archives: GLCD Vectors

GLCD Vector Programming Simulator / Debugger

Bitmap2LCD is a tool for programming small Graphic LCDs in embedded systems and a programmable graphic and text processing tool.

Bitmap2LCD : GLCD Vector Programming Simulator / Debugger

Version V3.9n and upwards

Loading GLCD Vector Script files

GLCD Vector Programming script files (*.B2L file ext) are stored in the user defined Graphics Files folder and can be loaded into the script editor using the File explorer (blue arrow).

From version V3.9n , when the GLCD Vector Tab in the main menu is active, there’s a quicker way to load an existing vector script file: All the B2L files found in the Graphics Folder are listed in a combobox (Purple arrows)

GLCD Vector Script Menu bar

From version V3.9n, the vector script menu bar has been upgraded with new items. (blue arrow)

  • List of GLCD Vector Functions to import in the script
  • List of basic functions (f.e sleep/pause, calling a subprogram)
  • Current ANSI Font + Font size or Editable Font to load into script

Simultator/debugger functions and other features have been added (see context menu (Orange arrow)

Debugger allows to set breakpoints by clicking the script line inside the gutter (Red arrow) and to ignore/include (Ctrl+i) a script line at script running time . (Green arrow)

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Bitmap2LCD : Vector Design Module ( Info + Tutorial )

Bitmap2LCD is a tool for programming small Graphic LCDs in embedded systems and a programmable graphic and text processing tool.

Bitmap2LCD : Vector Design Module ( General Information )

Programming example below

Update V3.9 upwards

From Version V3.1  Bitmap2LCD is capable to run / generate code which is compatible with external vector Libraries such as GLCD.C , for example one of the many GLCD library you can download for free or buy on the Internet.

Drawing for example a Line , a circle, an ellipse or a Rectangle on your Graphic LCD becomes very easy : You just have to draw these vectors inside the Work Canvas of Bitmap2LCD (red arrow), and the tool generates the code with its coordinates. Another option is to program vectors inside the script editor and run the script in the same way as with a Graphic LCD Simulator.

This code can be exported to the Text Editor for an external use or can be moved to the Vector Script (blue arrow).

Draw Elements in the Work Canvas  < —->  Programm Vector Elements in the script

  • Draw Vectors Elements inside the Work canvas     >>  Export Code inside Text editor
  • Draw Vector Elements inside the Work canvas      >>  Export Code to the Current Vectors Script

Program Vector Elements inside the Script editor >> Run Script which is Drawing Vector elements inside the Work Canvas

There’s is a list of Vector design Elements (green arrow) you can select and then edit each of its parameters.

The vectors Elements are functions to draw a bitmap, to move the cursor, to write a number, a char or a text, to select a font with its size and style, to draw a dot , a line a rectangle or a circle etc…

The syntax of these Vector Elements can be changed in the Settings Panel to match your particular GLCD library. It’s easy then to copy the script as it is already and paste it inside your embedded app source editor.

Buttons :

Context Menu :

The Vector Programming Settings Panel :

In the Vector Data Settings Panel, you can set the following parameters : The Syntax of the Vector Element function, define if enabled or disabled, define if X and Y coordinates only or with length and width, where applicable, with or without fill (color) parameter. The defined syntax will also appear as defined here in the list of Vector Elements above the Script (green arrow above fig.)

Programming Example

With  vecto2  in the main menu, you can enter the Vector Design Mode.

In the Vector Design mode, the frame around the Work Canvas becomes purple.

  1. Draw a rectangle and a circle vector in the Work Canvas2
  2. Export Work Canvas to Vectors (red arrow)
  3. Vector Script has been generated
  4. Clear the Work Canvas with the delete cross or using the context menu item
  5. Export Vectors To Work Canvas
  6. Work Canvas has been updated from Script

Vector Elements are selectable to be edited/moved, selectable in the Work Canvas or in the Script tables (see below)

Loading / Saving Vector Files

Saving and loading Bitmap2LCD Vector Design files (Files with .B2L extension)

The Vector Elements inside the Work Canvas are saved to a .B2L file. These Vector Elements can be reloaded and edited later, if needed.

B2L Vector Files are saved inside the user defined Graphics Library Folder

See below how to activate the filter to view only the Vector Files inside the File Explorer.

bitmap2lcd B2L filter

In the Vector Design Mode , you can see the parameters of every vector Element inside the ‘Script + Objects‘ tab located in the Text Editor Main Tab (blue arrow).

Select a Vector Element in the Vector script

You can select them (red arrow) and the selected vector becomes orange inside the Work Canvas.

Select a Vector Element in the Work Canvas

Orange arrow points the Select Vector Element button, the yellow arrow points to the two last lines of the script. These are the rectangle and the circle drawn in the Work Canvas and exported to the script.

Bitmap2lcd_vector_design_3

Formats of the Vector Elements  ( syntaxes are user definable )

GLCD.Dot or GLCD.SetPixel (X,Y,Color)

GLCD.Rect (X1,Y1,X2,Y2,Color)

GLCD.FillRect (X1,Y1,X2,Y2,Color)

GLCD.RoundRect (X1,Y1,X2,Y2,R,Color)

GLCD.FillRoundRect (X1,Y1,X2,Y2,R,Color)

GLCD.CIrcle (X1,Y1,X2,Y2,Color)

GLCD.FillCircle (X1,Y1,X2,Y2,Color)

GLCD.Line (X1,Y1,X2,Y2,Color)

GLCD.VLine (X,Y,Height,Color)

GLCD.HLine (X,Y,Length,Color)

GLCD.DrawBitmap (Filename.bmp,X,Y)

Filename of bmp file located in the Graphics files folder. > no folder name allowed here !

GLCD.DrawBitmap (Filename*,X,Y,Width,Height)

* filename of converted *.h file located in the output files folder but without extension,

No folder allowed here, data direction and endianness must be set correctly  : this operation uses the data to graphic conversion ! Currently only monochrome data files supported !

GLCD.GotoXY or GLCD.CursorTo (X,Y)

GLCD.Puts (“text”)

” are optional and definable

GLCD.PrintNumber (numeric value)

GLCD.InvertRect (X1,Y1,X2,Y2)

GLCD.Putchar (character)

GLCD.ClearScr ()

Delay (mS)   >> max 5000 mS

GLCD.SelectFont (System Font Name, Font Size, Font Styles (max 4x)*)

*Font styles are : Bold, Italic, StrikedOut, Underlined

Currently only System Fonts supported

Monochrome :

Color = 1 is white

Color= 0  is black

 

Select and modify Vectors

At the right side of the Script and Objects panel, there’s a vector tree where you can find the list of the vectors having been drawn inside the Work Canvas. By clicking on a vector (blue arrow), the list of its Properties appears in the Properties view. (red arrow).

In the Properties View, you can edit the X and Y coordinates and if available, the corner radius of the selected vector.

The vectors programmed inside the script, do not appear in the vector tree and Properties list.

bitmap2lcd Vector Paramaters

Save and reload a Vector Script

Bitmap2LCD is a tool for programming small Graphic LCDs in embedded systems and a programmable graphic and text processing tool.

Save and reload a Vector Script

Enter Vector Mode with button  vecto2

In the following example, a circle/ellipse and a rectangle were drawn inside the work canvas and the vectors were exported form canvas to script with the Addvect button

bitmap2lcd vector mode save and reload_1

Save the script to disk (blue arrow)

A vector script is saved to a file having a .B2L extension

 

Reload a Vector Script

In the Graphics Library Folder ( red Arrow ), click on the B2L file ( blue Arrow )

> Use the Files Filters ( Green Arrow ) if necessary

bitmap2lcd Save and Reload Vector Script

The Vector Script is loaded inside the script editor.

Run script Runvect to draw the the vectors inside the work canvas.

See also this article !