It's Finally Here:
Click HERE to go to our NEW web site!
New Version 1.5:
Adds many popular PC programming languages, support for cost-reduced 18F4450 family, & tons of new features too!
(Note for Current Users: This is a FREE upgrade for all registered HIDmaker FS customers. See details below.)
Not
just a function library or a set of example programs that you have to figure
out, HIDmaker FS actually generates COMPLETE, ready to compile and run, CUSTOM source code
for both the PIC peripheral device, AND for a matching PC program: a finished, working Windows GUI program that runs on
the PC host. All you have to do is describe the data that you want to send
between the peripheral device and the PC host, using our graphical sketchpad
called the Visual Data Designer.
Then, HIDmaker FS generates matched source code for both the peripheral and the PC at the same time, in your choice of programming languages. You compile that source code using the compilers you already own, and in minutes, you have the PC host and PIC peripheral talking to each other, exchanging the data that you specified.
Full speed 18F4550 and 18F4450 families:
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Low speed 16C765 family:
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Generates PC code in:
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* Works great with the free 2005 Express Editions of these Microsoft compilers, too!
The programs that HIDmaker FS creates, for both ends of the USB cable, are really solid, really fast, and really, really smart.
For one thing, both the PC and peripheral device programs understand your data. For example, if you created a variable in the Visual Data Designer called MeterReading, then you'll find that the custom code for both your peripheral and your PC program each contain a variable called MeterReading. You can use these variables just like any other variables in these programs: just remember that these values get transferred over the USB.
Here's the best part: you don't even have to write any code to put this data into packets and send it on the USB cable. Just assign a value to the variable in the peripheral program as you normally would, and then simply use that matching variable in the PC side program. HIDmaker FS's generated code acts like a magic mailbox that directly transfers variables to the other side. It automatically packs up your data and sends it to the other side (even if it takes multiple packets to send it all), where it is automatically unpacked for you, ready to use. It couldn't be simpler and more trouble free!
This has the very powerful effect of transferring variables directly from the device to the PC and vice-versa. Both sides can keep in touch regularly and automatically. You don't need to write code to load and unload packets of data (and figure out where each variable is in the latest load), because we've already written and debugged that for you.
The PIC peripheral code that HIDmaker FS generates doesn't do any hardware specific I/O other than USB: it only sends test values. This gives you the flexibility to modify the generated code, to specify things like the pin assignments and A/D converter channels that you need for your specific project. (Hey, we had to leave you something to do!) Many of our customers find that they only need to add about a dozen lines of code to the PIC program that HIDmaker FS generated for them.
HIDmaker FS does so much more for you:
You can make custom devices for all kinds of uses, in seconds.
Makes standard USB devices, too (e.g. keyboards, mice, joysticks, controllers)
Easily makes devices with multiple data channels ("Composite" devices, having multiple "Interfaces").
Even makes "Soft Detach" devices that can change their personality on command, so your device can adapt to changing conditions.
Need an array of Smart Sensors? Our PC programs already know how to talk to multiple devices at the same time: always knowing when devices have been disconnected or reconnected, always keeping track of which connected device is which, never losing data, never giving you wrong data, never hanging up. (Try this with those sample programs you get off the Internet or with your C compiler, and you'll see what we mean...)
New to USB? That's OK, we're here to help you. Knowledgable help and advice are just an email or phone call away. (It's getting pretty hard to find that anymore, isn't it?) And Trace Systems guarantees that the generated software will work correctly, perfectly, every time, or we will make it right.
"I just wanted to let you know that I just started using my copy of HIDMakerFS. I have read your entire manual and experimented with the sample code. I cannot believe how easy and intuitive this product is. You have really boiled down the development process; I could not be more pleased or impressed. I find the Visual Data Designer tool to be EXCELLENT. The most difficult challenge for me has been to retrain my thinking of RS232 communication methods to the easy process you have developed of passing direct variables from the desktop to the PIC. Everything is so much easier now: I don't feel I really need to fully understand USB communications to develop hardware/software applications. Kudos to you and your work for the development of such a powerful product, it's worth every penny and I could not be more pleased!" -- Ryan Sheldon, National Control Devices"I must say that my experience with HIDmaker so far has been incredible! I'm very happy that I invested in it. I have my first couple projects up and running already! I can't imagine the program being easier to use..." -- Todd Rossi, Rochester Institute of Technology
"Trace Systems's package shortens the learning curve. HIDmaker, along with its optional tools AnyHID and USBwatch, provides the support needed to make USB come alive for the designer. Trace Systems knows what you need, and it supplies plenty of support documentation..." -- Jeff Bachiochi, Circuit Cellar Magazine
HIDmaker FS takes FULL advantage of large memory and fast transfer speed of 18F4550 and 18F4450 family devices:
...and STILL supports low speed 16C parts!
Manual includes “Developers Guide for USB HID Peripherals” which tells you the secrets of making devices with those difficult design constraints:
How to get the most out of HIDmaker FS's MULTITASKING peripheral code
Devices with critical time requirements
Lengthy processing that would conflict with USB communications
Data logging devices that are only connected to USB rarely
Can create standard USB HID devices (e.g. keyboards, mice, joysticks, etc. ) that can be read directly by Windows. Can automatically create special devices, too:
Devices with multiple USB Interfaces.
No need for your end users to install any special device drivers: no USB device drivers to install at all! No complicated installation procedures or scary warning messages that increase your tech support costs. Windows XP recognizes and starts talking to your HIDmaker device in seconds!
HIDmaker FS Includes:
Full speed HIDmaker FS code generator program for 18F4550 family
Low speed HIDmaker code generator program for 16C765 family
HIDmaker FS Test Suite:
AnyHID program that tests any HID device, even if you didn�t design it yourself. (BONUS: Complete source code, in multiple programming languages!)
USBwatch traffic analyzer: displays USB traffic into and out of your device, even during enumeration!
Dozens of sample projects with full source code
Printed manuals for HIDmaker FS and Test Suite
Extensive online Help for all programs
Supporting USB specs, device data sheets
...all for just $599.95 !
Our customers say that HIDmaker FS pays for itself on their very first project.
Here's what you get:
HIDmaker FS automatically creates 2 kinds of programs for you at the same time: one on the microcontroller (peripheral) side and the other on the PC (host) side. These ready-to-compile programs already know how to talk to each other over the USB.
Choose your favorite language! PC side languages include most popular programming languages and compilers. PIC peripheral side languages include PicBasic Pro, MPASM, Hi-Tech C, Microchip C18, and CCS C. (See table above)
Designing your USB software is a snap! Choose a device type & answer a few questions. Next use HIDmaker FS's unique graphical sketchpad, the Visual Data Designer, to define the data you want to send between your device and the PC. Then you're ready to generate code in the languages of your choice!
Each PC side program that HIDmaker FS generates is a real Windows GUI program, not just a text mode throwaway. Customizing your program is a breeze with the HIDmaker Software Framework, which boils down all the complicated USB stuff to commands that are simple to use yet extremely powerful. All you have to do to set the value of a variable, and pack it into a Report and send it to your device, is this:
MyDevice.MyVar.UnscaledValue = 5 ' Set value of MyVar,...
Call SendOutputReportA() '... pack and send it!
...included
USBwatch
Your first line of defense against USB problems.
Other USB test programs can't even begin to work unless the device works well enough for the PC host to "enumerate" its capabilities and allow it to start. If you make a mistake in just a single byte of the USB descriptor tables, the PC will ignore your device (and not even tell you what went wrong). USBwatch lets you see the USB traffic going to and from your USB device, even during the "enumeration" process. And it does this without forcing you to spend $1000's on expensive USB Bus Analyzer tools!
AnyHID
Convenient test program for any USB HID device, even if you didn't design it yourself:
"Browse" for HID devices: learn what's inside each connected HID device, and open or close any number of devices. Get detailed information about any HID device: who makes it, what data it sends to and from the PC, and even what the data items are used for. Automatically updates lists when devices are connected and disconnected, opened and closed. Select a Report, modify its variables, and pack and send the Report to the device with the click of a button. Test results can may be printed, saved to a file, or logged automatically to disk. You can even add comments to the results displayed on screen, to document your work.
BONUS: ** SOURCE CODE ** in multiple programming languages!
If you are a registered HIDmaker FS 1.0 user, you are eligible for a FREE upgrade to ver 1.5.
Contact us for information on how to receive your free upgrade.
You must be registered to receive this upgrade:
If you haven't registered your product yet, be sure to fill in your registration form RegForm.txt
in your HIDmaker FS installation on your hard drive (it's available in your Start menu),
adding your contact information and your product serial number, and email that text file to us.
If you are a registered user of original low speed HIDmaker or HIDmaker Combo,
you are eligible to upgrade to the latest version of HIDmaker FS for $100.
See our Order
page for details.
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