STMicroelectronics has updated the TouchGFX user-interface software framework for STM32 microcontrollers, adding features for smoother and more dynamic user interfaces and lower demand on the memory and CPU. Made up of the TouchGFX Designer PC tool, for designing and configuring user interfaces, and TouchGFX Engine software for the end device to secure UI performance. Users can now build sophisticated user interfaces on one-chip display solutions without external RAM or flash, and save power for longer battery life.

In TouchGFX Engine, a partial framebuffer mode now allows the buffer to operate using only 6KB of RAM, with a fully-functioning user interface using 16KB without external memory. Eight-bit luminance (L8) with 16-bit, 24-bit, and 32-bit palettes reduces demand for flash memory, with the STM32 Chrom-ART Accelerator for graphics and effects. There is also a cacheable container with dynamic bitmap to reduce CPU loading.

Updates to TouchGFX Designer include features such as Scale and Rotate, and custom triggers and actions to reduce reliance on coding, and a new Image tab lets users quickly configure individual attributes such as image format, dither algorithm, and layout rotation. To download the complete TouchGFX Suite, including TouchGFX Designer and TouchGFX Engine, visit www.st/com/touchgfxdesigner.