TouchScreen for RapidePi Tutorial (WIP!)

[bolsoncerrado]

My objective here is to have a Rapide Lite 200 with TouchScreen and totally computer independant (ie do not need a computer to print), PLUS total remote control INCLUDING webcam monitoring and remote power on / power off of the printer.

We will assume you have a Raspberry Pi B+, an empty microSD card (4Gb minimum recommended) and a RapideLite 200.

As for the touchscreen, i've used an AdaFruit HDMI 5" + touchscreen capabilities.

I'm on MacOS Mavericks, JFYI.


1) Download and install ApplePi Baker

2) Download and unzip OctoPi

3) Launch ApplePi Baker, choose the microSD card (inserted in your computer or Card Reader/Writer), and choose the OctoPi .IMG file you just unzipped under the restore backup section. Press RESTORE BACKUP and wait until it finishes. Eject the card.

4) Insert the SD card on your RaspBerry and plug the USB power. Wait til the green led stops blinking if you're not using a video source at this stage.

5) Open a Terminal window on MacOS and type:

#sudo raspi-config

Once on there, do options 1) (expand OS), 2) (change password for the raspberry), 4) (if you need any int'l options), 5) (if you have the raspi camera) and finish. Click YES to reboot.

6) Once raspi reboots, you should be able to reach octopi by typing octopi.local on your mac internet browser.

7) once there, you can go and shutdown the system. you can alternatively do SSH to your raspi by typing the following in a Terminal window:

#ssh octopi.local -l pi
(remember default password is raspberry unless you changed it in the previous step)

Once shutdown (camera LED will turn off, green led will turn off) remove power and SD card.

8) place your microSD on your mac computer again and edit config.txt on the boot partition of the SD.
Replace the HDMI lines with the following:

# uncomment if hdmi display is not detected and composite is being output
hdmi_force_hotplug=1

# uncomment to force a specific HDMI mode (here we are forcing 800x480!)
hdmi_group=2
hdmi_mode=1
hdmi_mode=87
hdmi_cvt 800 480 60 6 0 0 0

And add the following line at the very end of config.txt:

max_usb_current=1

Save config.txt, eject SD card and insert it again on your raspberry.

9) you can now plug the HDMI cable and power it with a DATA USB to microUSB plug. Be sure the cable can handle data, not just power, or you won't have touchscreen support.


10) Turn on your raspberry and the LCD should start displaying the bootup sequence. Once finished, open a Terminal window and SSH to your raspberry.

Then:

#sudo apt-get update && sudo apt-get upgrade -y
to update and upgrade your raspi sources and software packages.

#sudo apt-get install chromium x11-xserver-utils unclutter
to install chromium (web browser), x11 server utilities and unclutter (removal of mouse arrow)

#sudo nano /etc/xdg/lxsession/LXDE/autostart
so we can edit the LXDE GUI to autolaunch chromium:

We should prevent any error messages displaying on the screen in the instance that someone accidentally power cycles the pi without going through the shutdown procedure. To do this we add the following line underneath the last line:

@sed -i 's/"exited_cleanly": false/"exited_cleanly": true/' ~/.config/chromium/Default/Preferences
@chromium --noerrdialogs --kiosk http://octopi.local --incognito


Obviously replace octopi.local with whatever page you want to load...


Hit ctrl-O and then ctrl-X again to write out and exit the file and now type

#sudo raspi-config

and on option 3) choose to launch in Desktop (GUI) mode.


Then exit and type:

#sudo reboot


Keep an eye on the display from your Pi now and once the unit boots again it should automatically load chromium in kiosk mode and display the page you’d chosen.

[BobenhamHotspur]

Probably too late now, but you still may find it interesting http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cwg4JfRPClo

[bolsoncerrado]

Well that's basically the same, yes, but LiPo powered. I got a 5" screen though, we'll see :P

[Holgamods]

Can you provide links to the hardware you purchased?

I'm totally lost with Raspberry Pi's

[bolsoncerrado]

Raspberry Pi 2 has just been launched but its now in high demand; i'd try to get one of those...

If you dont want to wait or have issues finding it, try with Raspberry Pi B+ which is a little less powerful but widerly available.

Then for the touchscreen, i got 5" but you may want it bigger or smaller... up to you. You can also check on eBay for those.

Then just install OctoPi image on a SD card big enough and you should be set.

Ps. you may want to buy a RasPi Cam too.... The NoIR version is to film in the dark jfyi.

[Holgamods]

Just grabbed the raspberry Pi 2 fro Adafruit with as $4.50 discount.

10% of code ADAPROMEM
$48.67 shipped

I'll wait on the touch screen for a while unit I do some more research.
DO you have an actual link to the 5" you purchased?

[bolsoncerrado]

Sure.

This one.

[Holgamods]

Thank you!

[bolsoncerrado]

Dont forget to share the .STL once you design a nice outfit for the 5"