a Bluetooth ESP32 TFT + Touch Macro Keypad
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The video above is not a tutorial, but a short introduction. It shows some of the features of FreeTouchDeck and explains how I got the idea.
FreeTouchDeck is designed around two parts that you can easily find on AliExpress or Banggood:
- A 38-pin ESP32-WROOM-32D Development Board from AliExpress*
- An ILI9488 TFT screen with XPT2046 touch controller from AliExpress*
*Full disclosure: these are affiliate links
If you want to build your own FreeTouchDeck, check out the build instructions below!
Instead of having to install the Arduino IDE, downloading all the correct libraries, uncommenting #defines in the .ino file, and editing the User_Setup.h from the TFT_eSPI library, there is now an easier and more error-proof method of uploading the FreeTouchDeck code. It is called the "FreeTouchDeck Web Installer". Simply go to https://install.freetouchdeck.com and follow the instructions on the screen.
The Web Installer is powered by ESP Web Tools by ESPHome, huge thanks to those people!
Since version 0.9.11 it is no longer necessary to edit the wificonfig.json file. If you leave everything as default, when you start the configurator it will start an Access Point. You can connect this access point and change you WiFi settings there!
To accompany the build instructions here I made a step-by-step build video. It might be a good idea to watch the video before you start you build as it gives you an overview as to what is required to build your own FreeTouchDeck.
Although I have been working on FreeTouchDeck for a few months now, I never published anything about it. Except for a few tweets about it and talking about it on my Discord server. Today I spent a fair bit of time on creating this Hackaday project. I hope everyone can follow along, but if you have any remarks, please let me now!
If you like to join me on my journey, either with tips, remarks, as a beta tester of even if you want to contribute code, please join my Discord server where I have a dedicated channel for FreeTouchDeck: https://discord.gg/RE3XevS
Before you start this project it might be a good idea to watch the video I made. The video in itself isn't a how-to, but more of an introduction to what FreeTouchDeck is and what it can do for you!
Watched the video? Let's get the parts you'll need!
If you do not already have an ESP32 and an ILI9488 TFT + Touchscreen lying around. You can find them pretty cheap on AliExpress. I used these parts:
- A 38-pin ESP32-WROOM-32D Development Board from AliExpress*
- An ILI9488 TFT screen with XPT2046 touch controller from AliExpress*
Not all ILI9488 TFT screens are created equally. It is important to make sure you have selected a screen with touch!
Download the FreeTouchDeck repository from Github: (https://github.com/DustinWatts/FreeTouchDeck)
*Full disclosure: these are affiliate links
The wiring may seem a bit daunting at first. But don't let all the wires scare you. It is pretty straight forward. The images above will help you when you wire your TFT + Touchscreen to your ESP32. This is also decision making time. There are few options when it comes to connecting the two together. You can use a breadboard, you can use prototyping board or you can order a PCB specifically to connect the ILI9488 + touch to the 38-pin ESP32 DevKitC. I'd like to point out that the breadboard option is only an option for testing your connections and screen. It is not very practical to have on your desk and loose connections can cause problems.
It is important to know that these screens run at 3.3V. Connecting them to 5V can cause damage!
These are the connections you need to make from the ESP32 -> ILI9488:
3.3V -> VCC
GND -> GND
GPIO15 -> CS
GPIO4 -> RESET
GPIO2 - > DC/RS
GPIO23 -> SDI(MOSI) and T_DIN
GPIO18 -> SCK and T_CLK
GPIO32 -> LED
GPIO21 -> T_CS
GPIO19 -> T_DO
GPIO27 -> T_IRQ
SDO(MOSI) is not used for the TFT screen, so you are left with one unconnected pin on the TFT module. That's ok!
If you like to order a PCB designed to make it easy to connect the ESP32 and the TFT screen together, you can download the gerber files here: https://github.com/DustinWatts/ESP32_TFT_Combiner
You can also order them directly from PCBWay where I had mine made: https://www.pcbway.com/project/shareproject/ESP32_TFT_Combiner_V1.html
Hi, I've just started the project and I'm going through the prototype pcb route.
I can't see in the wiring diagrams any mention about the 4 pins on the right of the touch screen, but in your youtube video, you show an extra connector wired up.
Could you please let me know the pinout for those to the ESP
Many thanks!
Hi @asdasdf You are welcome! The four pins on the right are for the SD card. The SD card is not used in FreeTouchDeck, so you can ignore those and just use them for support. So solder them, but don't connect them.
Ah ok, thanks!
Do you know if the WIFI SSID doesn't support spaces or something? My SSID is "Example Wireless-2G" but it's failing to connect despite knowing the details are correct.
@asdasdf It should support spaces. Did you enter your details directly in the wificonfig.json? Or are you using the serial monitor? If you are using the serial monitor, make sure you have selected "no line ending". It will not work if there is a new line or carriage return at the end.
Directly into the Json. I just get an "Unable to connect to Example Wireless-2G" Message after only a few seconds of trying to connect. It seems too short to be a timing out issue. But I'll continue checking.
Thanks :)
Managed to get it working in the end. I increased the number of attempts before giving up, and increased the delay inbetween from 500ms to 2500ms. It now connects every time :).
I must just have a dodgey connection here.
The configurator is great and I'll post a make of it when done. Many thanks!
@asdasdf Thanks for letting me know! I might have the connection timeout be configurable. Looking forward to the config you make! :)
Cool project! I am thinking of building it myself and then upgrade the software to have a "program sensitive" interface so the right menu is shown depending on which software is in the foreground.
Maybe I am blind but where can I find the .ino file?
Somehow the links weren't there. I fixed it in the instruction, thanks for pointing that out. Here is the link just in case: https://github.com/DustinWatts/FreeTouchDeck
add virtual knob https://br.freepik.com/vetores-premium/botao-de-volume-controle-de-som-botao-de-musica-com-cromo-de-metal_3928618.htm
This is a phenomenal project, you've really covered all the bases here from the ESP32 firmware to the 3D printed case. I think you've left me no choice but to make one of my own.
Thanks Tom! Wow what a compliment! I'm looking forward to your build!
Dustin Watts
Sandeep Patil
Mike Lemberger
zst123
Dominic11112
Hi Dustin,
I just received my order of the components incl the PCBand look forward to putting eth together. A maybe naive question re the power supply. How exactly does this work? 🙄External 3.3V?
Thanks!