Control an Arduino with ProtoPie and vice versa¶
ProtoPie is a powerful tool that can be used for making dynamic prototypes for web, mobile or desktop applications. With ProtoPie you can make complex hi-fi wireframes that use variables, conditions, timeline based animations and more…
For this article, I will focus on using ProtoPie Studio (to make the prototype), ProtoPie Player and ProtoPie Connect to light up the onboard LED on an Arduino UNO. It is focused on making the connection between Arduino and ProtoPie, so once that connection is in place, the step to using other output on the Arduino is easy. Sending messages to ProtoPie is also possible and will be covered in a separate article.
PS. ProtoPie is free for all students and teachers!
What you will need¶
- Arduino (I'm using the Arduino UNO R3)
- USB-A Cable
- Arduino IDE
- ProtoPie Studio
- ProtoPie Player
- ProtoPie Connect
I've also made a simple example ProtoPie file you can download below.
Instructions¶
Connect your Arduino to your computer and use the Arduino IDE to upload the code below.
Open ProtoPie Connect and add the Arduino.pie file
Choose Device (QR code) next to the file name.
Scan the QR code with the ProtoPie Player and press the buttons to see if ProtoPie Connect receives messages from the Player.
https://user-images.githubusercontent.com/52886201/205966678-80edb16c-49b0-4bcd-88c2-c53939c6841f.mov
Click on Plugin at the top right of the screen
Choose Arduino and select the right port. Leave the baud rate at 9600.
Hit Run and see if the LED on the Arduino will turn off and on when you press the buttons on your phone.