Are you building GUI applications with STM32 and wondering how to create beautiful, responsive user interfaces? Look no further — TouchGFX is your solution.
In this guide, we’ll introduce you to TouchGFX, show you how it integrates with STM32, and share hands-on TouchGFX tutorials designed specifically for developers like you.
At Controllerstech, we focus on real-world embedded system development, and this article brings the same clarity to GUI design using TouchGFX.
What is TouchGFX?
TouchGFX is a free and efficient graphics framework by STMicroelectronics. It’s designed for creating high-quality GUIs on STM32 microcontrollers, especially in applications that demand low power and high responsiveness.
🧩 Why it’s a good fit for STM32 developers:
- Built to work seamlessly with STM32CubeMX and STM32CubeIDE
- Optimized for MCUs with low flash and RAM
- Offers a graphical designer (TouchGFX Designer) for rapid prototyping
- Supports hardware acceleration like DMA2D and Chrom-ART
Why Use TouchGFX on STM32 Projects?
At controllerstech.com, we typically work with Nucleo and STM32F7 boards — TouchGFX is a perfect tool to extend your projects into the GUI domain.
🔧 Use Cases:
- Industrial UI displays
- Smart thermostats
- Medical devices
- Consumer electronics (e.g., smartwatches, control panels)
TouchGFX Tutorials You Can Follow
Let’s dive into step-by-step tutorials you can follow right now. These are either already available or great ideas to expand your site’s tutorial library.
1. TouchGFX Setup with STM32CubeMX
👉 [COMING SOON on controllerstech.com]
Learn how to:
- Configure LTDC and DMA2D
- Set up TouchGFX via STM32CubeMX
- Flash and test a simple UI on real hardware
2. Creating Your First GUI with TouchGFX Designer
Goal: Build a simple UI with a button and a label
- Add screens using the drag-and-drop designer
- Link UI events to C code
- Simulate before flashing
3. Interface TouchGFX with Real Sensors
Example: Display real-time temperature from an LM75 or DHT11 sensor
- Read sensor data via I2C/SPI
- Update the UI dynamically in TouchGFX
4. TouchGFX on STM32F746 Discovery Board
Perfect for users of the popular STM32F746G-DISCO
- Pre-configured drivers
- Start with animations, transitions, and custom fonts
✅ TIP: Already have STM32 peripherals working? You can build GUI overlays on top of them using TouchGFX logic layers.
Common TouchGFX Problems & Fixes
| Problem | Fix |
|---|---|
| Black screen on display | Check LTDC, clock settings, and framebuffer location |
| Touch input not working | Confirm I2C/SPI and touch controller init |
| Memory overflow | Use partial framebuffer or reduce image size |
| GUI flickering | Double-check pixel format and DMA2D settings |
Conclusion: Start Your GUI Journey with TouchGFX
If you’re already comfortable working with STM32 peripherals, stepping into TouchGFX will open a whole new level of embedded development. With our upcoming tutorials and real-world examples, you’ll learn how to integrate GUI features without sacrificing performance.
Stay tuned to controllerstech.com as we publish in-depth TouchGFX tutorials customized for Nucleo boards, Discovery kits, and real applications.