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LCD Character Creator Help Files? — Parallax Forums

LCD Character Creator Help Files?

Tim-MTim-M Posts: 522
edited 2006-09-06 21:13 in General Discussion
· I just downloaded the Parallax LCD Character Creator (Version 0.95 Beta -·Copyright 2001) and the none of the help files seem to work.· The help index does appear, but·any of the topics show as 'This Page Cannot Be Displayed' or 'Action Canceled'· Is this the latest version, and does a fix exist for the problem?· Another question, is the Character Creator compatible with the newer Parallax LCD's?

Tim

Comments

  • Chris SavageChris Savage Parallax Engineering Posts: 14,406
    edited 2006-09-05 22:06
    Hello,

    ·· Try opening the .chm file directly.· There are some properties that can usually be changed to correct this as it is related to a Microsoft Security update that affects .chm files.· As for being compatible with newer displays, it sort of is.· If you look at the examples you can still use it, but you need to add the byte for the command to set that custom character to be fully compatible.· I hope this helps.· Take care.

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    Chris Savage
    Parallax Tech Support
    csavage@parallax.com
  • Tim-MTim-M Posts: 522
    edited 2006-09-06 01:49
    Hi Chris,

    · Thanks for·your help and·advice --·that did the trick.· By the way, for anyone reading,·I'm using Windows XP... Home at home, and Pro at the office.· When opening the .chm help files directly, I was asked about authentication...·that afforded·the opportunity to uncheck the 'Always ask before opening' box and now the help files work as intended.· As far as·"the byte for the command to set that custom character", I'm not really sure about that yet, but I'm betting that the LCD doc's will let me know.

    Much appreciated,

    Tim
  • Chris SavageChris Savage Parallax Engineering Posts: 14,406
    edited 2006-09-06 16:37
    Sorry,

    ·· I should've been more clear...The Character Creator was designed to generate codes for the DATA statements which comprise of the bytes that make up the character itself (Parallel LCD).· You can see this by looking at example code for the parallel displays using custom characters.· You will find 8 bytes per DATA line.· On the Serial LCD examples that have customer characters you will find 9 bytes.· The first byte in each line is the command byte that tells the LCD that the next 8 bytes are custom character information.· Each custom character has its own unique command code.· So when you use the program and paste the DATA statements into your code, you may have to add that command byte at the beginning of each line.· You'll notice that in the demo code they're all assigned as constants for clarity.· I hope this helps.· take care.

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    Chris Savage
    Parallax Tech Support
    csavage@parallax.com
  • Tim-MTim-M Posts: 522
    edited 2006-09-06 16:59
    Ahh,

    Yes, that helps alot. You mentioned that "Each custom character has its own unique command code." - is this per a function of the display that is being used, or is it simply what you assign as the code(Basic Stamp) is written? Sounds like it's part of the Basic Stamp code given what you've said about the demo code and assignments as constants.

    Thanks,

    Tim
  • Chris SavageChris Savage Parallax Engineering Posts: 14,406
    edited 2006-09-06 17:12
    Tim,

    ·· The command code refer to the newer Parallax Serial LCDs you mentioned in the first post.· There is a code you send to the LCD to tell it you want to program a custom character.· That code is different for each character and is listed in the LCD Documentation.· Take care.

    ▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔
    Chris Savage
    Parallax Tech Support
    csavage@parallax.com
  • Tim-MTim-M Posts: 522
    edited 2006-09-06 21:13
    Chris,

    · Thanks for taking the extra time to explain these details, I think it's finally·made it·through my thick head now.· I'll study the LCD doc's closely.

    Take Care,

    Tim
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