General: Migrating from PICASO-SGC-GFX to PICASO
Details
| Number | 4D-AN-00037 |
| Difficulty | Easy |
| Supported Processors | PICASO |
| Supported Environments | Designer, ViSi, ViSi-Genie, Serial |
Description
This application note is dedicated to illustrating how to migrate from PICASO-SGC/PICASO-GFX to PICASO.
Before getting started, the following are required:
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Any of the following 4D Picaso display modules:
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Workshop 4 IDE(installed according to the installation document)
Application Overview
Picaso processor was previously available in two configurations, SGC and GFX.
SGC Configuration:
SGC configuration makes the display module a slave device where it accepts serial commands from the host controller to operate. The last revisions of the SGC PmmC for the Picaso modules were R22.
SGC configuration is discontinued and all the documentation, relevant firmware files and software tools are not available on our website anymore.
Existing customers who have already designed their products based on them Picaso display modules configured as SGC can request SGC firmware to be installed on the 'older' products from 4D Systems.
New Customers are requested to move on to the New Serial Environment. This again is a slave configuration but has different command set and syntax compared with its predecessor (SGC). All the latest 4D Intelligent Display Modules are configured with New Serial Environment by default.
Note
New Serial Environment is now a 4DGL application called SPE that loads on to the display module after loading the PmmC file. SPE stands for Serial Platform Emulator.
GFX Configuration:
GFX configuration makes the display module a standalone device where the user needs to program the module using 4DGL programming language. There has been no change in the 4DGL command set.
Note
The form factor and the mechanicals of the uLCD-24PTU, uLCD-28PTU and uLCD-32PTU have also changed from uLCD-24PT, uLCD-28PT and uLCD-32PT modules respectively.
Setup Procedure
SGC Configuration to new Serial Environment:
If the user has been using the Picaso display module in SGC configuration, it is highly recommended to move on to the new Serial Environment.
Note
The Display Modules are SPE READY by default, meaning the SPE Application has been loaded to each of the modules at the 4D Systems Factory. The user can reload the SPE Application if required, to update the SPE Application on board OR to move over to the Serial Environment from another Workshop 4 Environment such as Designer, ViSi or ViSi-Genie.
Once the chosen display module is 'SPE READY', either brand new out of the box, or programmed to have the SPE Application via the above instructions, the user can begin programming their Host of choice to communicate to the 4D Systems display module.
SPE loading procedure and complete Picaso Serial Command Set are documented in the latest Picaso Serial Command Set Reference Manual.
An application note written most especially for beginners is also available.
Serial Picaso Getting Started - The SPE Application.
To test the Picaso display module configured for new Serial Environment, "Serial Commander" software tool could be used which should be available under the Tools menu when a project is started in Serial Environment on the 4D Workshop4 IDE.
Note
A 4D Programming adaptor such as 4D Programming Cable,uUSB-CE5, uUSB-MB5 or uUSB-PA5 should be used to program the SPE or test the display module through serial commander. Any third part device can damage the on board processor.
ViSi-Genie Environment:
ViSi Genie is a new Environment introduced with the 4D Workshop4 IDE. ViSi-Genie is an advanced environment that doesn'trequire any 4DGL coding at all; it is all done automatically for you. Simply lay the display out with the objects you want (similar to ViSi), set the events to drive them and the code is written for you automatically. ViSi-Genie provides the latest rapid development experience from 4D Systems.
Note
ViSi-Genie is also a Slave environment; primarily, although it allows you to layout the screen through built-in objects. You may wish to try it instead of the new Serial Environment in replacement of the SGC. ViSi Genie reference documents are available here.
To test the Picaso display module configured with ViSi-Genie Environment, "GTX" software tool could be used which should be available under the Tools menu when a project is 'Build' in Serial Environment on the 4D Workshop4 IDE. A glimpse of the GTX Tool is given below.
Note
A 4D Programming adaptor such as 4D Programming Cable, uUSB-CE5, uUSB-MB5 or uUSB-PA5 should be used to program the ViSi-Genie application or test the display module through the GTX Tool. Any third part device can damage the on board processor.
To get started with the ViSi-Genie environment, read the application note ViSi-Genie Getting Started - First Project for Picaso Display Modules.
GFX or 4DGL Configuration:
Although there has been no change in the 4DGL command set, we are not using the term "GFX" anymore.
There are two Environments, Designer and ViSi as part of the new 4D Workshop4 IDE to configure the module as a standalone device. Both environments require 4DGL programming.
Picaso 4DGL Internal Functions are explained in the latest Picaso Internal Functions Manual.
Note
ViSi reference documents are available here.
The base PmmC file required for any of the four Development Environments would be R34 Picaso PmmC file or above which should be available with Workshop4 installation.