MPLAB® Harmony Graphics Library (v1.x) Overview
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NOTE: Microchip updates its tools regularly. This page is an older version that we have preserved for the convenience of those who are supporting existing designs based upon older versions of our tools. Please check Learn about Harmony Graphics Library v2.xx for the updated version of this page. .

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Graphics Library v1.xx

Learn about Harmony Graphics Library v2.xx

Microchip provides a complete graphics library that allows you to quickly and easily implement a Graphical User Interface (GUI) on small, color, touch screen displays. The complete graphics display solution enables you to quickly evaluate a graphics display solution at minimal cost.

Key Features:

  • Up to 16-bit or 65K colors
  • 2D objects such as line, circle, text, rectangle, polygon, bar
  • 3D objects such as buttons, panels, window, group box, slider
  • Image, animation
  • Resistive touch screen, keypad
  • Multiple fonts

MPLAB® Harmony Graphics Composer (MHGC)

The MPLAB® Harmony Graphics Composer (MHGC) is a graphical user interface design tool that is integrated as part of the MPLAB Harmony Configurator (MHC). This tool enables you to easily configure and visually design for the MPLAB Harmony Graphics Primitive Library and the MPLAB Harmony Graphics Object Layer.

The Graphics Composer performs the following tasks for you:

  • Import image and font assets
  • Create screens and schemes
  • Add objects to screens
  • Configure objects
  • Generate MHC configuration
  • Upload program to the device

MHGC User Interface

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For more detail on the MHGC User Interface, please see the MPLAB Harmony Help file. It can be found in the Harmony install folder under the doc folder.

To start the MPLAB Harmony Graphics Composer:

  1. Start MHC from the IDE main menu, click Tools > Embedded > MPLAB Harmony Configurator.
  2. Click on MHC's Launch Utility Icon, then select Graphics Composer.
mhc_launch_utility.png
Click image to enlarge.

Graphics Composer Screen

When MHGC is opened, the Graphics Composer Screen is displayed (see the associated image). This screen is the same size and resolution as your actual display and it simulates how objects will appear on the screen.

Graphics Composer Tool Box

You will find the Graphics Composer Tool Box in the top-left pane. It shows the various objects that can be added to the display screen. You will see two types of objects in this window:

  • Primitives (basic objects: Line, Rectangle, Circle, Image, Text).
  • Widgets (complex objects: Button, Check Box, Progress Bar, Meter, etc…).

Graphics Composer Properties

The Graphics Composer Properties tab is displayed in the top-right pane. This allows you to view and edit the properties of the selected screen or object.

mhgc.png

Graphics Composer Management

The Graphics Composer Management tab is displayed in the bottom-left pane. This has four sub-tabs:

  • Screens
  • Objects
  • Schemes
  • Assets

The Screens tab lists the screens designed for the application. It has options to create, delete, copy, move up/down and make a screen the primary screen.

mhgc_management_screens.png
Click image to enlarge.

The Objects tab lists the objects used in the application. It has multiple options to control how the objects appear on the screen.

mhgc_management_objects.png
Click image to enlarge.

The Schemes tab lists the schemes designed for the project. This defines the font size, color, image, texture, etc.

mhgc_management_schemes.png
Click image to enlarge.

The Assets tab lists the graphics resources used by the applications. Assets could be fonts, images, or any other data needed by the application.

mhgc_management_assets.png
Click image to enlarge.
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