Freescale PowerParts

[v_dave]

Hello All,

I am working on a project that includes a graphic LCD.  In searching for a third party GUI library I came across a product on Freescales website called Powerparts: 

http://www.freescale.com/files/soft_dev_tools/doc/prod_brief/POWERPARTS-PB.pdf?fsrch=1

I have an inquiry into my distributor but they have not been able to find the right person in Freescale who can answer this question yet. 

Is there anyone out there in the community who has experiance with this product?  Does it exist?

[Technoman64]

I have a simple GUI I wrote using Codewarrior for HCS12(X) and also use it on Coldfire platform. It only supports small monochrome 128x64 LCD now. It can run as main thread or use RTOS Idle Thread. Using a RTOS allows the GUI to only consume processor time when the idle task is running this keeps critical time tasks predicatable and the user never knows the GUI interface is being stalled. Provided the system is not overloaded and has free time.

Link to a few pics of one product using the GUI code, scroll down page for a few screen shots

http://www.nlrsystems.com/2007_catalog.htm

I am not sure how well it would run on a 8-bit processor.

Do you have a basic driver written to communicate with the LCD? I only have drivers for the various LCD's I use.

I would help you out with some basic code to draw lines, circles, rectangles, simple fonts and sample driver for 128x64 LCD.

The entire GUI is approx 28,000 lines of code. The Codewarrior compiler and optimizing linker keep the code size in check though.

[Technoman64]

Oh, I researched PowerParts GUI, last update on the software was 2004 that I can find. If you search for PowerParts under "Enter Keyword" there is a link to download 4.0.1 Update. I had to add .exe exstension after downloading. Then I ran it, for install directory I used My Documents and it installed a directory named PowerParts in MyDocuments, Not a simple system by any means and it was not desinged to run on a 8-bit mcu.

[v_dave]

Hello,

Thanks for responding. 

That is the same information I have found so far.   What I am trying to figure out is if this product has been rolled into Codewarrior, or been renamed, or discontinued.  Right now I am thinking it has been discontinued.

I am currently considering:

Ramtex Cost: 2900 DKK = $569 US
http://www.ramtex.dk/glcd/glcd07xx.htm - this is the basic information.

This seems like a a good package that provides what I am looking for.  Did you consider any of the third party GUI libraries before you decided to write your own?

[Technoman64]

I looked into many of them, then decided to write my own. I have found that it was difficult to do, but worth it for me.

The Ramtex looks like a good deal for the money. Time is money...

If you have any questions feel free post or message me. I will try to help if I can.

[Technoman64]

What type of display are you using?

What is your application?

What processor are you using?

[v_dave]

Currently the design uses a 9S08AW60 micro.  The display is 120x32 Monochrome graphic.  The application is a display panel for a simple motor control project.