rpistarterkit

This repository contains the resources needed to kick start your EGL314 journey. Have fun and all the best! YWFU

Hardware

1. Single Board Computer: Raspberry Pi 4 Model B
2. Operating System: Raspbian Buster Full

Software (Windows)

1. SSH terminal (Putty)
2. SCP FIle sharing client (WinSCP)
3. Microsoft Visual Studio Code
4. VNC Viewer
5. Local IP/Port Scanner
6. Github Desktop link

System Diagram

graph TD;
A[Laptop]-->B[VNC Viewer]
B-->A
A-->C[Putty-SSH / WinSCP - SCP]
C-->A
C-->D[Network Router]
D-->E[Raspberry Pi]
F[Keyboard / Mouse]-->E
E-->G[HDMI Monitor]

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Setting up the Raspberry Pi (first initial boot)

1. Secure Shell (SSH) into Raspberry Pi using Putty.

Hostname: pi@ip_address
Port: 22
Password: (student_defined)

2. Once logged in, update the Raspberry Pi

sudo apt update
sudo apt upgrade 

If update and upgrade is unsuccessful, try the following. Manually Set time, then update and upgrade Raspberry Pi again.

sudo date -s 'YYYY-MM-DD HH:MM:SS'

Enabling SSH

SSH is a network communication protocol that enables two computers to communicate and share data.
To enable SSH, type the following

sudo raspi-config

Select 3 Interface Options
Select P2 SSH
Enable SSH

Enabling Virtual Network Computing (VNC)

VNC is a cross-platform screen sharing system that can be used to remotely control another computer.

To enable VNC, type the following

sudo raspi-config

Select 3 Interface Options
Select P3 VNC
Select Enable VNC

Enable HDMI Hotplug

By default, VNC Viewer will not work on a raspberry pi without any active HDMI connection onto a monitor. We can enable hdmi_force_hotplug to force a HDMI signal even without any active HDMI connection!

To enable hdmi_force_hotplug, type the following

sudo nano /boot/config.txt

Scroll to the bottom of the file and paste

hdmi_force_hotplug=1
hdmi_group=2 # HDMI display group
hdmi_mode=82 # 1900 x 1080 resolution

Save and exit the nano file editor
crtl + o to write(save) the file
crtl + x to exit the editor

Disable Screen Blanking (Optional)

This step prevents the display output from going to sleep (blank) from inactivities.

To disable Screen Blanking, type the following

sudo raspi-config

Select 2 Display Options
Select 04 Screen Blanking
Select Disable Screen Blanking

Configuring Static IP on Raspberry Pi

The recommended method to configure the Raspberry Pi with a static IP address would be the following:

1. Identify the MAC address of Raspberry Pi through network router.
2. Configure DHCP Reservation through network router.
3. Restart DHCP services on Raspberry Pi to update IP configuration.
   • For Raspbian Bookworm

sudo systemctl restart NetworkManager (for Raspbian Bookworm)

sudo systemctl restart dhcpcd (for Raspbian Bullseye and below)

Python Tkinter Tutorial

This section will provide a series of mini-tutorials to help you get familiarze with Tkinter. Do note that that this section only cover the fundamental features of TKinter. Refer to https://www.tutorialspoint.com/python/python_gui_programming.htm for a more extensive list.

To make the best of use of this section, please attempt the tutorial questions. If and only if you are stuck, refer to the tutorial sample for guidance.

Tutorial 1: Creating a GUI with "RGB Buttons" windows

Create a GUI windows that consist of 3 buttons that will print out the following when pressed

1. Button Pressed is RED - RED BUTTON
2. Button Pressed is BLUE - BLUE BUTTON
3. Button Pressed is GREEN - GREEN BUTTON

Below is a sample of how the GUI will look like.

Tutorial 2: Changing Colours of the Buttons

Set the respective R,G,B buttons to dehalfault Red, Green and Blue colours respectively. Then integrate a colour scale (minimally 5 colours) for users to "customize" colour choices for the button.

Below is a sample of how the GUI will look like.

Tutorial 3: GUI to import photo preview (Installing new Python Library)

Build a GUI to allow users to input a set of string

1. cat
2. dog
3. beach A photo preview window will apear when import button is pressed

Hint

1. You can attempt to install the Python Image Processing (PILLOW) library.
2. You might require the Python OS module.

Below is a sample of how the GUI will look like.

The program will output 3 sample previews (you can find these images in ~/EGL314starterkit/images/)

Dog

Cat

Ball

Tutorial 4: Getting Familar with List

Final Challenge

For your final challenge, each group will develop and build a GUI with the following features.

1. 3 x 3 grid that allows users to change colour values.
2. A colour scale for users to select 8 different greyscaled colours.
3. 4 presets that change grid to All White, All Black, X Pattern and Sequence.
4. A enter button to send a 3 x 3 array value.

Hint

1. You can explore Python List (or rather...List of List) to build the 3x3 grid of buttons.
2. To create a function to identify which button was pressed