Importing Images Into an MLA Graphics Project

 Summary

This article shows how to use the Graphics Resource Converter (GRC) to import fonts into a Graphics project based on the MLA. This tutorial places the imported font into program memory.

Starting the GRC Utility

GRC_directory.png

The GRC is located in the MLA Installation directory:
…microchip/mla/vYYYY-MM-DD/framework/gfx/utilities/grc

Linux and Apple OS X® users launch the resource converter by executinggrc.jar, and Microsoft® Windows users invoke it by executinglaunch_grc.bat.

1

Configuring the GRC

  • From the GRC user interface, selectProject thenSettings.
  • For this example configure the GRC to place imported images into internal program memory (internal Flash).
  • Set the Graphics Module Bits per pixel to 16 (16 bpp).
  • When working with PIC® MCUs which have an internal graphics module, such as the PIC24FDA series, theGraphics Module option can be selected to set the image format.
  • After configuring the GRC selectOK
GRC_setup.png
GRC_settings.png

2

Starting the Import Process

To begin importing an image, selectFile thenAdd Images.

add_images.png
Click image to enlarge.

3

Selecting the Image to Import

After selectingAdd Image, you will be directed to browse and locate either a bitmap or a JPEG image to import into the project. Select the file, then pressOpen.

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In this example, we will use the bitmap imageNewImage.bmp.

NewImage.png
new_image_bmp.png
Click image to enlarge.

4

Convert the Image

When you have finished selecting the images you wish to import, selectProject thenConvert.

convert_image.png
Click image to enlarge.
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Before importing, the GRC will ask you to select a file name and location to store the imported image.

The conversion process will create an assembly file (.s), a c file (.c) and a header file (.h) using the name selected.

5

Include the C code and Header file in the MPLAB X Project

The conversion process creates an assembly file (.s), a C file (.c), and a header file (.h) for each imported image. These files need to be included in the MLA Graphics project just as all other source files and header files.

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You will have to edit the appropriate files to add a#include for the newly created header file.

The image on the right shows the files for the imageNewImage.bmp included in a project which were saved in files with the name ofNewImage.*. The three files created are:

  • NewImage.s
  • NewImage.h
  • NewImage_reference.c


All three of these files are added to the project tree automatically by the GRC.

ImageFilesInclude.png
Click image to enlarge.

6

Build the Project

Re-building the project after the new image's header and source files have been added makes the image available for use.