Episode 16: Initializing GUI from file

kl3m3n

This episode shows how to use GUI-O design tool to create GUI initialization commands and transfer them to Android device (where they are stored in a file). GUI-O application can then read and parse the initialization file upon external request from MCU, PC, etc.

NOTE: This example requires PRO version of GUI-O application. Don't worry, you can still do lots of other great things using free DEMO version of GUI-O!

Software prerequisites:

GUI-O design tool (https://www.gui-o.com/design-tool)
GUI-O application (https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.guio.guioapp)
For additional information about the GUI-O application, download the developer manual from https://www.gui-o.com/

1. CONFIGURE GUI-O DESIGN TOOL

In this example, I will be using TCP/IP connection, but the design tool also supports USB connection. In case of TCP/IP connection, make sure you are connected to the same local network.

Determine the local IP address of your PC's network interface (WiFi or Ethernet):

Under Windows, open the command prompt, enter ipconfig and press Enter
Under Linux, open the terminal, enter ifconfig and press Enter

Open GUI-O designer and select "TCP/IP connection" tab. Set the IP address and any port number between 49152 - 65535. Click "Start server" button.
Open GUI-O application and tap "Add" located at the upper-right part of the screen. Tap "Etherned" and add a new device using the same IP address and port. Tap on the created device and wait for successful connection with GUI-O design tool.

2. CREATE WIDGETS

Create various widgets and observe (and interact with) them in real-time on your Android device. Modify the properties of the widgets based on your preferences.

3. TRANSFER INITIALIZATION COMMANDS

Send the initialization commands for the created widgets to your Android device, where they are stored in a file that can be parsed "on-demand" by the GUI-O application.

Select "Transfer to device" tab.
Specify the file name and press "Enter" or click on "Start transfer" button. Wait for the transfer to complete.

After the transfer is successfully completed, the initialization commands are located in a file on your Android device. You can test this by navigating to "Send command" tab.

First, clear the GUI by sending @cls command. Then send the command @fileinit FNA:"<filename>", where <filename> parameter denotes the full name of the file during commands transfer phase.

4. VIDEO TUTORIAL

The video tutorial for all steps is shown below.

If you have any questions or run into any problems, please let me know!

Best regards,
kl3m3n