Graphics Primitives

This page contains information for the Graphics Library found in Microchip Libraries for Applications (MLA). It is not relevant for the MPLAB® Harmony Graphics Library.

What are Graphics Primitives

Graphics Primitives
Graphics primitives are non-interactive, rudimentary elements displayed on a screen. Several primitive elements can be combined together to create a complex image. Graphics primitive elements are used by both Microchip Harmony and MLA applications.

Graphics primitives include:

  • Lines, Circles, Arcs, Rectangles, etc.
  • Character Fonts
  • Imported Images

In order to include graphics primitives in a project, both gfx_primitive.h and gfx_primitive.c files must be included in the project.

Care should be taken regarding the use of graphics primitives in an application. Graphics primitives are easy to understand and program. Designers new to graphics tend to overuse graphics primitives in displaying dynamic data. Primitives are primarily used in introduction or "splash" screens. Graphics objects are best used to display dynamic data and retrieve user input from touch screens.

Primitive Elements

colors.png

Setup Functions:

DRVgfx_Initialize(): Initializes the display driver. This function must be called before any graphics element can be displayed.

GFX_Primitive_Initialize(): Initializes the primitive layer software allowing the primitive's drawing functions to operate.

GFX_ColorSet(color): Sets the drawing color. The value of the color is set by the RGB565 macro and can be found in GFXColor.h.

GFX_ScreenClear(): Clears screen with current color then places the cursor at (0,0).

GFX_LineStyleSet(key): Establishes that any line to be drawn has the attribute set by the key. The options for keys are:

GFX_LINE_STYLE_THIN_SOLID solid line, one pixel wide (default)
GFX_LINE_STYLE_THIN_DOTTED dotted line, one pixel wide
GFX_LINE_STYLE_THIN_DASHED dashed line, one pixel wide
GFX_LINE_STYLE_THICK_SOLID solid line, three pixels wide (default)
GFX_LINE_STYLE_THICK_DOTTED dotted line, three pixels wide
GFX_LINE_STYLE_THICK_DASHED dashed line, three pixels wide

Drawing Functions:

GFX_LineDraw(unit16 x1, unit16 y1, unit16 x2, and unit16 y2) draws a line from x1,y1 to x2,y2, and leaves the cursor at the end point of the line.

line_code2.png
line_picture.png

GFX_RectangleDraw(unit16_t Left, unit16_t Top, unit16_t Right, and unit16_t Bottom) draws a rectangle using the current line type, and coordinates for top, left, right, and bottom.

rectangle_code2.png
rectangle_picture.png

GFX_RectangleRoundDraw(top, left, bottom, right, and radius) renders a rectangular shape with rounded corner using the given left, top, right, bottom, and radius parameters to define the shape dimension. Radius defines the rounded corner shape. When x1 = x2 and y1 = y2, a circular object is drawn. When x1 < x2 and y1 < y2 and rad (radius) = 0, a rectangular object is drawn.

bevel_ex.png
bevel_code3.png
bevel_picture.png

GFX_RectangleRoundFillDraw(top, left, bottom, right, and radius) draws a filled beveled figure on the screen. For a filled circular object use top = bottom, and left = right. For a filled rectangular object, use radius = 0.

FillBevel_code3.png
FillBevel_picture.png

GFX_CircleDraw(x, y, and radius) draws a circle with the given radius and center point using the current line type.
GFX_CircleFillDraw(x, y, and radius) draws a circle filled with the current color.

Circle_code3.png
Circle_picture.png

RectangleFillDraw(left, top, right, and bottom) draws a solid rectangle using the current color within the coordinates.

bar_code3.png
Bar_picture.png
To get a complete list of all graphics primitive functions, open GFX_help.png help_mlagfx.jar located in …microchip/mla/vYYYY_MM_DD/doc….
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