Hello everybody!
I have been working on a GraphicsManager class for a while now, and its getting to the state where i wouldn’t be completely ashamed if a few persons would glance into my source code.
The current version includes 4 plugins; two different types of graphical gauges (linear and radial), as well as a analogue clock and a text box.
There are features implemented to update the value of each gauge and the graphics manager render method draws all of the added plugins in order, so you can build up the layers of your GUI by modifying the order of plugins added.
The various plugins are using the same (super-class) draw methods and colours defined in the GraphicsManager, so it presents a uniform colouring scheme/design.
But the current graphics should be considered placeholders, unless you are a huge fan of the “Day Of The Tentacle”-theme… :)
It is meant to be a “drop-in-solution”, to very easily add some gauges and info boxes to a small display, to create a graphical interface (GUI) for a voltmeter, dashboard for a motorcycle or whatever tickles your fancy that involves displaying stuff.
But im not quite ready yet to display my somewhat “noobish” code for the world, even though my ambition is to release the package as open-source when its ready.
So i am looking for some volunteers that are interested in using my creation for their own project, and to provide some feedback.
Simply put, i need beta-testers just to verify that my code is ready to be released, and that my implementation is user-friendly and intuitive enough that “any” user can download and use it.
As a separate “request”, if you are a “python-guru” and enjoys teaching others better ways of doing things, feel free to “apply” too, even if you are not planning on using my code.
I would certainly appreciate a private code review.
I am self-taught so im probably not utilising the whole toolbox so to speak, or using the proverbial hammer as a screwdriver.
But i have a strong desire to improve… :)
The hardware and software requirements are basic:
- Raspberry Pico or compatible RP2040 microcontroller.
- Pimoroni Display pack, compatible with the PicoGraphics library (i am using Display Pack 2.0).
- “latest” pimoroni micropython distro for your Pico (the .uf2 file) (latest is probably not needed, but a update takes less than a minute thanks to the prepackaged file from pimoroni… ;-) )
You need a github account (free) to access the GraphicsManager package, so you’ll also need some git skills, but its not that big of a issue if you lack git experience.
You will need some basic python skills to utilise a package, but if you can use a Pimoroni display then you know enough to use my GraphicsManager. :)
It is desired, but not required that you also have a “current project” that would benefit using a graphics manager to handle your display.
My GraphicsManager package contains everything you’ll need to add to your project, except for documentation, excluding code comments.
If you’ll need someone to hold your hand while installing and using this package i may be able to offer some limited help over discord, but i am a single parent primarily, so my response time will vary.
And of course, i expect you to be able to keep my code to yourself, not reposting it or parts of it, or share copies of it with others.
But you are encouraged to make pull requests and play with the included code for your personal use (after i granted you access to the package).
You are allowed to mess with your personal copy of the package code, but not use it, or parts of it, commercially (i.e: make money off it).