Cant get CustomChars to display anything

Nesko · Post by **Nesko** » August 26th, 2005, 3:58 pm

Im trying to get The functioin Custom Chars to display anyting mot the field is just blankd

_X7JAY7X_ · Post by **_X7JAY7X_** » August 26th, 2005, 4:29 pm

You first define the custom character then you have to call it. Just saying CustomChar(x,x,x,x,x,x,x,...) is only half of it. Use the char command to call it.

Post by **limbo** » August 26th, 2005, 4:43 pm

adapted from command reference

$CustomChar([char#],[d1],[d2],[d3],[d4],[d5],[d6],[d7],[d8])
Custom characters are usually 8 lines by 5 dots, d1-d8 are the 8 lines. To get a value for a line simply add 16 for a dot in the 1st dot of a line, 8 for the 2nd, 4 for the 3rd, 2 for the 2nd, 1 for the 1st [reading dots from left to right]
To use the characters:
for 1 use $Chr(176)
for 2 use $Chr(158)
for 3 use $Chr(131)
for 4 use $Chr(132)
for 5 use $Chr(133)
for 6 use $Chr(134)
for 7 use $Chr(135)
for 8 use $Chr(136)

for more info goto
http://lcdsmartie.sourceforge.net/commands.html
and
http://lcdsmartie.sourceforge.net/ (here scroll enough to find the red "S")

Nesko · Post by **Nesko** » August 26th, 2005, 5:14 pm

Ive tried to copy strings that other persone written but its still just blank

_X7JAY7X_ · Post by **_X7JAY7X_** » August 26th, 2005, 6:43 pm

What string do you have? Can you paste it here?

J

Nesko · Post by **Nesko** » August 26th, 2005, 7:56 pm

Ive tried a lot different ones that ive found on the forum, but I cant get any of them to work.

FOr example
$CustomChar(1,10,4,0,0,0,4,10,4)$Chr(176)

Post by **IFR** » August 27th, 2005, 1:46 am

can you provide more info about the lcd you are using?

Nesko · Post by **Nesko** » August 27th, 2005, 10:53 am

Im using a vfd that comes with the silverstone chassi.
Im running it trough the usb port. Everything works
fine eccept for the "CustomChar"
When i try to write a customchar line i dont get a error
or nothing it just stays blank.

Post by **limbo** » August 27th, 2005, 10:38 pm

some displays have different addresses for the custom defined characters
try to look on your screen documentation.

Nesko · Post by **Nesko** » August 27th, 2005, 11:13 pm

On my screen documentation?

Post by **limbo** » August 28th, 2005, 11:35 am

yes hopefully there is a character map somewhere in the docs that indicates the 8 free (custom) character positions.

Nesko · Post by **Nesko** » August 28th, 2005, 9:10 pm

in what doc?

_X7JAY7X_ · Post by **_X7JAY7X_** » August 29th, 2005, 2:51 am

Nesko, is there any information that came with your display? There will be a character map in there. Look for the 8 custom characters and find there addresses.

J

zedriq · Post by **zedriq** » February 13th, 2006, 10:59 pm

I have the same problem:

http://www.lansley.co.uk/forum/phpBB2/v ... c.php?t=61

Does anyone already fixed this problem where the 8 custom characters are on an iMon VFD?

ReverseEngineered · February 15th, 2006, 12:33 am

VFDs don't use HD44780 controllers, and though they may use commands that are similar, that's not to say that they are completely compatiable. I think it's quite likely that your module doesn't actually support custom characters.

The easiest way to know is to look for a large chip on the back of the display and post the numbers that are on it. Hopefully then we can find a datasheet describing what commands it knows, and whether or not there is a way to get the custom character function working.

Note to others: If you are having trouble with support of a specific piece of hardware, we need to know as many details as possible in order to determine the problem. For example, manufacturer, product name, and serial numbers are all helpful. If these prove difficult to find, the name/number off of any large chips on the device may also be useful.

zedriq · Post by **zedriq** » February 15th, 2006, 12:58 am

That is a problem, because in order to get those informations i have to put that pc into pieces because the display is installed into the front of the LC10M case by Silverstone.

The build in iMon manufacturer (Soundgraph) can't tell me anything about the character table that is used...