For interfacing with Windows/macOS/Linux using an ESP32, a touchscreen, and BLE.
Easy installation without the need for the Arduino IDE, and downloading and editing libraries is now available using ESP Web Tools. Visit this url to install FreeTouchDeck to your board via your browser: (https://dustinwatts.github.io/install-freetouchdeck/) Chrome, Edge, and Opera only at the moment.
If you want to do it yourself you can use the Instrucables https://www.instructables.com/A-Bluetooth-ESP32-TFT-Touch-Macro-Keypad/ for a detailed install guide.
The ESP Data Upload Tool refered in the wiki or the Instrucables only works under Arduino IDE 1.x.x. But the great thing is you can have both IDE's installed next to each other.
There are some breaking changes going from the ESP32 Arduino core version 2.x.x to version 3.x.x which can cause the code to not compile. I'm trying to fix all the ones I can find. But if you run in to one, please open an issue so I can fix it. Also, if you want to upload the code without any issues, one option is to downgrade to the v2.0.14 (which is the latest v2 arduino core) and everything should be fine. The best (and easiest) way is still using the webinstaller (see below), which is the recommend install method.
Due to constant improvements in the -master branche, getting the latest code straight from the -master branche (by dowloading it as a ZIP for example) might be unstable. If you want a stable and tested version, download the latest release from the Releases page.
The current latest stable is 0.9.17.
We are looking for (web) developers who are willing to help out updating the configurator (or changing it completely!) to work with all the new features that the Development branch offers. Once we have a working configurator, the Development branch will replace the current master as FreeTouchDeck version 2.0. As a token of my appreciation, you can get (if you will) an ESP32 TouchDown S3 at cost price before it releases! Also you will be credited here, in the source code and in the documentation. If you want to join, let us know on Discord: https://discord.gg/RE3XevS
Make sure to uncomment the line //#define USECAPTOUCH!
And if you wish to use the speaker uncomment the line //#define speakerPin 26
If FreeTouchDeck came pre-installed, you can find how to set up the configurator here:
https://github.com/DustinWatts/esp32-touchdown/wiki/With-FreeTouchDeck-pre-installed
I wrote a helper app for Windows/macOS/Linux that will help you start applications, run scripts and can auto-switch FreeTouchDeck to a page you choose when an application comes in to focus. You can find it here: https://github.com/DustinWatts/FreeTouchDeck-Helper
The FreeTouchDeck.ino and other files (for example in the data folder) rely on each other, they come as one. So when you download the new version, make sure that you only use the files that come with the current download, and not files from other versions. Best practise is to completely delete the old version and then download/clone the new version to make sure you do not accidently mix files from different versions. After downloading/cloning the latest version, make sure to also upload the "data" folder again using 'ESP32 Sketch Data Upload".
For Resistive touch:
- an ESP32 DEVKIT V1 (WROOM32) (Partition scheme: NO OTA with 2MB app and 2MB SPIFFS) I used: https://s.click.aliexpress.com/e/_AmfI1H They call it "ESP32-WROOM-32D"
- an 3.5" (480x320) TFT + Touchscreen with ILI9488 driver and XPT2046 resitive touch controller I used: https://s.click.aliexpress.com/e/_AMAa6B
the links are affiliate links
For Capacitive touch:
- an ESP32 TouchDown: https://www.esp32touchdown.com/
If you try to run FTD on something other than the boards above, it might not work. Support for custom combinations of boards and screens is out of the scope of support. I will try and help you if you run in to something, but issues here on Github are not dealt with and will be closed with this reason.
Lot's of people have made FreeTouchDeck work on other hardware then the above hardware. Although not offically suported. I will list those forks here.
- ESP32-3248S035 Capacitive / GT911 touchscreen: https://github.com/Raycast7373/FreeTouchDeck
- ESP32-2432S028 Resistive touchscreen users: https://github.com/Raycast7373/FreeTouchDeck
I will also point you to my Discord (https://discord.gg/RE3XevS) Where these people are active. If you have a custom build/fork for a board you would like listed here, contact me and I will add it to the list.
- Adafruit-GFX-Library (tested with version 1.10.4), available through Library Manager
- TFT_eSPI (tested with version 2.3.70), available through Library Manager
- ESP32-BLE-Keyboard (latest version) download from: https://github.com/T-vK/ESP32-BLE-Keyboard
- ESPAsyncWebserver (latest version) download from: https://github.com/me-no-dev/ESPAsyncWebServer
- AsyncTCP (latest version) download from: https://github.com/me-no-dev/AsyncTCP
- ArduinoJson (tested with version 6.17.3), available through Library Manager
If you use capacitive touch:
- Dustin Watts FT6236 Library (version 1.0.2), https://github.com/DustinWatts/FT6236
https://github.com/DustinWatts/ESP32_TFT_Combiner
Before compiling and uploading the FreeTouchDeck.ino sketch, you will have to edit the user_setup.h file included with the TFT_eSPI library. This can be found in your Arduino skechtbook folder under "libraries". If you have not renamed the TFT_eSPI library folder, the file user_setup.h can be found in TFT_eSPI-master.
You can find examples of User_Setup.h files in the folder called user_setup.h Examples. Delete everything that is in the User_Setup.h file (so you have a blank file) and copy & paste the contents of the file you need for your setup. Don't forget to save!
If you do it manually you will have to uncomment the lines that apply to you hardware configuration. For example: if you have an TFT with an ILI9488 driver, you will have to uncomment that line under Section 1. Make sure all the other drivers are commented out!
The next section is Section 2. This also depends on what hardware you are using. For example for an ESP32 you'll have to uncomment the correct #define(s) under EDIT THE PIN NUMBERS IN THE LINES FOLLOWING TO SUIT YOUR ESP32 SETUP. Also if your TFT has the blacklight control pin available you will have to uncomment the line found under #define TFT_BL and make sure the pinnumber is the correct one (for The DevKit version and the ESP32TouchDown this is 32).
"Section 3" can be left alone.
In the case/ESP32_TFT_Combiner_Case you can find a case with different tops (front) and bottoms (back). You can also find user made cases on Thingiverse by following the link or searching for FreeTouchDeck on Thingiverse, Printables or good old Google.
If you like what I am doing, there are a number of ways you can support me.
| Platform | Link |
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You can follow me on Twitter: @dustinwattsnl |
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You can subscribe to my channel on Youtube: /dustinWatts |
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You can support me by becoming a patron on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/dustinwatts |
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You can make a one time donation using PayPal.me: https://www.paypal.me/dustinwattsnl |
For quick access to help you can join my Discord server where I have a dedicated #freetouchdeck channel. https://discord.gg/RE3XevS