Graphics on STM32 Microcontrollers
Creating a performant graphical user interface (GUI) requires skills, expertise, and involves many building blocks. The process starts with selecting and sourcing the right display and casing. It continues with the art creation of menus and screens, programming the art design into a user interface, and electronic development. Only then can the dots be connected to trigger the spark that will bring your design to life.
For STM32 MCUs, ST's TouchGFX framework offers a robust solution for creating performant GUIs, requiring low resources, both in terms of CPU and memory usage and making the development process more streamlined and efficient. ST also proposes a range of GUI libraries from ST Authorized Partners that run on STM32 MCUs.
Define your needs and select your MCU & developer kit accordingly
STM32 portfolio of graphics enabled MCUs
| Frame buffer placement | External | Internal | ||||||||
| Display interface | RGB-TFT | RGB-TFT | MIPI-DSI RGB-TFT | RGB-TFT MIPI-DSI | RGB-TFT | Parallel SPI | Parallel SPI | SPI | SPI | SPI |
| STM32 MCU | STM32H7R/S | STM32H750 | STM32H747 | STM32U5F/G9 | STM32H7A/B | STM32H5 | STM32U575 | STM32U0 | STM32C0 | STM32WB |
| Main Differentiator | High-performance External memories Lowest cost H7 | External memories 1 MB RAM | MIPI-DSI Dual-core | Vector graphics Ultralow power Large memory for single chip solution | Large SRAM for internal FB | Low-cost Large memory for single chip solution | Ultralow power Large memory for single chip solution | Ultralow power with internal RAM only | Ultralow cost with internal RAM only | One chip Wireless + Graphics |
STM32 GUI developer kits
The STM32 offer for Graphical User Interfaces includes a large choice of developer kits, software examples and demos.
Each developer kit comes with a flashed demonstration. The code for each demo is made available in the associated STM32Cube software packages.
What is TouchGFX?
Integrated in the STM32 ecosystem, TouchGFX is a free GUI tool providing everything you need to create cutting-edge GUIs.
- TouchGFX Designer, a PC GUI-builder and simulator
- TouchGFX Generator, to configure and generate a TouchGFX project
- TouchGFX Engine, which is an optimized, hardware-accelerated graphical library
Start creating your own GUI
Select examples, watch demos, or start from scratch by importing graphical assets and use widgets in TouchGFX Designer to create your GUI application.
Flash your design kit and run your smartphone-like GUI
With your developer kit connected to your PC, simply hit 'Run Target,' and TouchGFXDesigner will automatically use the installed STM32Cube Programmer to flash your kit.
STM32 graphics-enabled MCUs embed different features that allow developers to achieve the desired performance and optimization trade-offs required for embedded devices, such as:
- Chrom-ART Accelerator TM
- NeoChrom GPU and NeoChrom VG (vector graphics) GPU
- JPEG hardware accelerator that allows to add M-JPEG high-quality videos minimizing the CPU load
- Chrom-GRC™ that offers advanced features and versatility for a wide range of analytical applications.
- Fast access to internal and external memory avoids bottlenecks, supporting smooth animations
- One-chip solutions with no need for external RAM and flash for small resolution displays, brining additional flexibility to secure system architecture, buffer strategy and memory budget
- Support for large display interfaces with parallel interfaces, LCD-TFT, and MIPI-DSI embedded controllers
Chrom-ART Graphics Accelerator is a hardware feature in some STM32 microcontrollers that enhances graphical applications by offloading and accelerating common graphical operations.
Benefits
- Improved performance: Enhances graphical application performance.
- Reduced CPU load: Frees the CPU from intensive graphical tasks.
- Enhanced user experience: Enables sophisticated and visually appealing interfaces.
- Lower power consumption: More efficient power usage, ideal for battery-powered devices.
Selecting technologies - like Chrom-ART for 2D rendering, NeoChrom GPU for 2.5D graphics, and the JPEG codec for motion JPEG videos handling - creates an efficient graphics pipeline, significantly boosting performance in multimedia applications. Those hardware accelerators ensures a seamless user experience while optimizing resource usage and freeing up the CPU.
In resource-limited environments, using only necessary hardware accelerators saves power and reduces complexity, leading to simpler and faster development cycles.
TouchGFX Experts
Our dedicated and highly skilled TouchGFX Experts help you move from idea to market-leading products. They are able to provide support and services on STM32 and TouchGFX solution, bringing their innovative approach, combined with their extensive knowledge and experience, to help you design your next embedded product and quickly move from idea to end-product.
Display modules makers
Touch display solutions for human machine interface (HMI)
LCD / LCM Module development, single-chip production and materials processing
Smart Touch SurfacesTM and Connected (IIoT) Human Machine Interfaces (HMI) Modules providers
High-quality, customizable display solutions vendor
GUI services
Electronics consulting services UI/UI/HMI design and TouchGFX
Innovative software and design consultancy
TouchGFX based projects development services
Engineering design services in embedded technologies
Production and development of custom-made electronic systems
Services provider helping users to develop system based on TouchGFX GUI app
Additional resources
Blog articles
| TouchGFX key features and latest news | Read now |
| NeoChrom GPU: the first ST’s graphics accelerator | Read now |
| Smart Embedded Display or How Engineers Can Rely on EDT, TouchGFX, and STM32 | Read now |
| STM32 Smart embedded displays from Riverdi | Read now |
| Bresslergroup: How Engineers use TouchGFX and ST Products to Make a Difference | Read now |
| Mjølner, a TouchGFX Implementer and Partner or Why Ecosystems Matter | Read now |
| X-NUCLEO-GFX01M1 and TouchGFX 4.15: The Frame Buffer Is So Small It’s Almost Unbelievable | Read now |
| PsiControl, 2 Arguments That Convinced To Create a Dynamic UI for a Coffee Machine | Read now |
Presentations
Videos
TouchGFX 4.24 QR code widget & image compression
TouchGFX Academy: how to create my first GUI
STM32U5G9 cost-effective solution
STM32 graphics cost-effective GUI solution
Run MPU-like GUI applications on STM32H7RS
STM32U599 Neochrom GPU demonstration
STM32 GUI development with low-flash usage
