Dazzler questions, woes, etc.

[gdjsky01]

Hello friends!

I have a 3x for the Pico. Nothing compiles for the Pico using Arduino as the framework... One can only CircuitPython.

Likewise the shield connected to an Metro M4, won't compile. I found a change to the library right here on the forum to get rid of the errors when using Arduino as the framework and the Metro M4 as the board, however, while it may compile "Hello World", it outputs nothing.

Using Circuit Python, yes, sure. I can make things sort of work. There is dearth of 3x examples for CircuitPython (that I have found). Whereas there are many many more for Arduino. They just don't work with the M4 (or pico). Also it seems like some are made for hardware I am not aware of. They require a PIL module which (unless I am blind - possible) is not a Circuitpython module.


Then there is "Hello World" in Circuit Python. Yes it outputs "Hello world" centered on a Visio 1280x 720 HDMI TV (so long as I use a powered HDMI splitter - WHY? Beats me?).
Fair enough.



gd.w says 1280 and gd.h says 720



So if I may ask? Why does the code below not draw a line diagonally across the display? It draws a line maybe a quarter of the way from the upper left towards the lower right.
And the slope seems wrong even IF it would reach the bottom


import bteve as eve



gd = eve.Gameduino()

gd.init()



gd.ClearColorRGB(0x10, 0x30, 0)

gd.Clear()



gd.Begin(eve.LINES)

gd.Vertex2ii(0, 0)

gd.Vertex2ii(1279, 719)

gd.swap()





This is very frustrating. This should be 'easy to use'. Yet at every task, the 3X seems to be like an alpha product. Most the documentation and examples don't work on Arduino unless you would like to run on a 328P (and the quintessential 328P Arduino, the UNO, does not work for me). I am finding most of the docs and examples, are A) Really old, and many B) seem intended for a PC. Like import PIL? I don't see a PIL module for CircuitPython. Other are for old hardware.

I'd like to think I am not an idiot. (Well I'd LIKE to!) But damn this thing seems to fight me are the smallest task.

Anyway if you could be so kind as to let me know the coordinate system (I did read the docs, and its not there unless you are using a tiny display), I'd be very happy! Thanks.


PS: Are there any serious CircuitPython examples that will run on the Metro M4 or Raspberry Pi Pico?
PPS: Since I am writing this, I might as well ask, can I use the SD card for data storage for the "Host" board (Pico or M4)? Or I'd have to use yet another board just for storage of read-only data (for the application not the 3X)



Best WISHES! Jeff

[jamesbowman]

Hi Jeff, thanks for this feedback -- I'll try to work through these examples. I agree there should be more pure CircuitPython examples. All contributions gratefully received!


Easy one first. For the lines example, use


gd.Begin(eve.LINES)

gd.Vertex2f(0, 0)

gd.Vertex2f(1279, 719)


and it will do what you expect. There's an entry in the FAQ on this:

github.com/jamesbowman/gd2-lib/

And yes, the GD3X SD card is attached at boot by the EVE driver - you can access all the files on from CircuitPython it as "/sd/".

I hadn't realized that the Pico was now supported by the Arduino IDE. Will give this a try.

[gdjsky01]

Thank you VERY much for your time!!! Now not to be contrarian, however:


import bteve as eve



gd = eve.Gameduino()

gd.init()

gd.Begin(eve.LINES)

gd.Vertex2f(0, 0)

gd.Vertex2f(1279, 719)

gd.swap()



Draws a line down the left side of the screen. Not a diagonal line as I would have expected. 
Like I said, I'd like to think I am not dumb... but... its just not making sense.

[jamesbowman]

Aha, yes. It needs a gd.Clear() at the start:


gd = eve.Gameduino()

gd.init()

gd.Clear()
gd.Begin(eve.LINES)
gd.Vertex2f(0, 0)
gd.Vertex2f(1279, 719)
gd.swap()

[gdjsky01]

That was not quite it.
But I did find this




gd = eve.Gameduino()

gd.init()

gd.Clear()
gd.Begin(eve.LINES)
gd.VertexFormat(0); // <<<<<-------------- integer coordinates
gd.Vertex2f(0, 0)
gd.Vertex2f(1279, 719)
gd.swap()

NOW it draws across the entire screen! Progress! Yeah!

It would be grand it you could update the lib for arduino framework Pico Support
Here is the release notes official support.


Thank you!

[dev255]

Hi, you may wish to look at my Arduino sketch for my CNC machine, I am running the Dazzler on a portrait HDMI monitor and (with careful planning) have a very workable solution for my CNC program.

Here is the Sketch on GitHub: github.com/Dev255/Arduino-ODrive-CNC/blob/gh-pages/CNC_Control_and_Display_-_Ver1_0_0.ino

My project can also be found in the "Show and Tell" area on this forum with pictures, here: gameduino2.proboards.com/thread/1065/solar-powered-display-connected-teensy

I hope that helps.

Kind regards,

Neil.