MicroPython-ST7735
A MicroPython driver for ST7735 TFT LCD displays with text, graphics, and bitmap support.
What is MicroPython-ST7735?
MicroPython-ST7735 is a driver library that allows MicroPython programs to control ST7735-based TFT LCD displays. It provides functions for drawing graphics, displaying text, and showing bitmap images on small color screens commonly used in microcontroller projects. The library solves the problem of interfacing MicroPython devices with affordable ST7735 displays for embedded UI applications.
MicroPython developers working on embedded projects that require graphical displays, particularly those using ESP32, Raspberry Pi Pico, or similar microcontrollers with ST7735 TFT screens.
Developers choose this library because it offers a familiar Arduino-like API adapted for MicroPython, includes multiple initialization modes for different display variants, and provides practical examples that mirror popular Adafruit Arduino sketches for easier porting.
Overview
ST7735 TFT LCD driver for MicroPython
Use Cases
Best For
- Adding graphical displays to MicroPython IoT projects
- Building simple embedded user interfaces with text and graphics
- Porting Arduino ST7735 projects to MicroPython
- Creating visual indicators for sensor data on microcontrollers
- Developing educational projects with microcontroller displays
- Displaying bitmap images on embedded systems
Not Ideal For
- Projects requiring high-resolution displays or complex graphical animations beyond basic shapes and bitmaps
- Teams seeking a complete GUI framework with pre-built widgets, touch inputs, or event handling for embedded interfaces
- Developers working with non-ST7735 displays or microcontrollers not supported by MicroPython (e.g., Arduino boards without MicroPython firmware)
- Applications where minimizing external dependencies is critical, as font files must be sourced separately from the library
Pros & Cons
Pros
The library mimics Adafruit's Arduino sketches, such as graphicstest.py, making it easier for developers to port existing ST7735 projects to MicroPython with minimal code changes.
Supports multiple init functions (initr, initg, initb, initb2) and color order adjustments via rgb(True/False), accommodating different ST7735 display variants to handle common hardware compatibility issues.
Integrates with MicroPython's FrameBuffer class for offscreen rendering, as shown in offscreen-buffer.py, reducing direct screen updates and improving performance for dynamic graphics.
Provides sample codes like graphicstest.py and tftbmp.py that mirror popular Adafruit Arduino examples, offering a quick start for tasks like drawing graphics and displaying BMP images.
Cons
Text display requires separate font files not included in the library, forcing users to source them from external repositories like GuyCarver's, which adds setup complexity and potential version mismatches.
Pin connections and initialization parameters must be manually configured based on specific microcontrollers and displays, with no auto-detection, leading to error-prone setups as noted in the README for ESP32 and Raspberry Pi Pico.
Focuses on basic drawing primitives and lacks built-in support for animations, touch inputs, or advanced graphics operations, requiring additional coding for more complex embedded user interfaces.
Frequently Asked Questions
Related Projects
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micropython-ili9341MicroPython ILI9341Display & XPT2046 Touch Screen Driver
st7789py_mpyDriver for 320x240, 240x240, 135x240 and 128x128 ST7789 displays written in MicroPython
st7789_mpyFast pure-C driver for MicroPython that can handle display modules on ST7789 chip
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