FTDI Chip Adds Graphic Toolchain Package to Its EVE Offering
New widget-based development tool assists user interface designer professionals without need for EVE display list knowledge
Bringing more comprehensive support to its Embedded Video Engine (EVE) product offering, FTDI Chip introduces EVE Screen Designer - which is available to download for free. Suitable for use with Windows operating systems (Windows 7 and above), this highly sophisticated, but easy-to-operate development suite enables the creation of advanced human machine interfaces (HMIs), via EVE’s innovative object-oriented approach, without any understanding of EVE display lists. This means that it is far more accessible to graphic designers who are concerned primarily with the look and feel of the HMI.
Using this software tool on a purely visual level, superior quality, highly intuitive HMIs can be derived via primitive objects (such as circles and squares), as well as EVE’s array of more complex built-in widgets (including buttons, dials, clocks, gauges, sliders, scroll bars, text boxes, etc.) which are made up of multiple objects. Designers can specify an EVE hardware platform and set the resolution required. Then by choosing and subsequently placing particular EVE objects on the screen they can rapidly begin constructing a HMI. Objects can be moved from one place to another using the cut and paste function. They can be pushed back or pulled forward. An adjustable grid aids their screen positioning and alignment.
Provision is given for editing widget properties (colours, sizes, text fonts, etc.), with objects being locked/unlocked as needed. In addition it is possible to zoom in/out on objects and group them together. User interface designers can consult the display list when necessary or make use of the step-by-step display list debug function. Finally they can export the completed screen to the display list via text file. “Utilisation of widgets and images allows us to replace the conventional, and rather complex, full range graph method of HMI design,” states FTDI Chip CEO and Founder, Fred Dart. “This means that the need for any programming is eliminated and the creative vision of user interface designers is maximised.”
http://www.ftdichip.com/EVE
About FTDI Chip
FTDI Chip develops innovative silicon solutions that enhance interaction with today’s technology. Through application of its “Design Made Easy” ethos, the company is able to support engineers with highly sophisticated, feature-rich, robust and simple-to-use product platforms. These enable creation of electronic designs with higher performance, fewer peripheral components, lower power budgets and diminished board real estate.
FTDI Chip’s long-established, continuously expanding Universal Serial Bus (USB) product line boasts such universally recognized product brands as the ubiquitous R-Chip, X-Chip, Vinculum, and H-series. As well as host and bridge chips, it includes highly-integrated system solutions with built-in microcontroller functionality. The company’s Embedded Video Engine (EVE) graphic controllers each pack display, audio and touch functionality onto a single chip. The unique, more streamlined approach utilised by these ICs allows dramatic reductions in the development time and bill-of-materials costs involved in next generation Human Machine Interfaces (HMIs) implementation. FTDI Chip also provides families of highly differentiated, speed-optimised microcontrollers with augmented connectivity features. These application oriented controllers (AOCs) are targeted at key areas where they add value via their elevated processing performance and increased operational efficiency.
FTDI Chip is a fab-less semiconductor company, partnered with the world’s leading foundries. The company is headquartered in Glasgow, UK, with research and development facilities located in Glasgow, Singapore and Taipei (Taiwan), plus regional sales and technical support sites in Glasgow, Taipei, Tigard (Oregon, USA) and Shanghai (China).
For more information go to http://www.ftdichip.com
For further information and reader enquiries:
Susan Smith - FTDI Chip
Unit 1, 2 Seaward Place, Centurion Business Park, Glasgow, G41 1HH, UK
Tel: +44 (0) 141 429 2777Â Â Fax: +44 (0) 141 429 2758
E-mail: marketing@ftdichip.com
Issued by:
Mike Green - Pinnacle Marketing Communications Ltd
Tel: +44 (0)20 84296543Â
E-mail: m.green@pinnaclemarcom.com
Web: www.pinnacle-marketing.com
