EDIT
version 1.0.10 is now tested on openSUSE
Latest version are tested and running on MAC
Added serial monitor
End EDIT
Hi
There is a free eclipse plugin available that makes development of big Arduino projects easier. As you only need the Arduino IDE, Eclipe and the plugin this Arduino IDE alternative is completely free and open source.
The plugin suppports
- Creation of an Arduino sketch
- Import of an Arduino Library
- Change the Arduino board
- Change the com port
- Upload to the board
- Real time build
- User selected build.
8 ) Integrated serial monitor - plenty of updated documentation is available at www.baeyens.it/eclipse
To use it you only need to install the Arduino IDE;install eclipse, install the plugin and configure the plugin. Detailed instructions are below.
The current version works with cpp files only (no pde out of the box). Below are some simple instructions on how to keep your code Arduino IDE compatible. I use those and I can compile the code between the Arduino IDE and eclipse without changes.
Note that the current version (1.0.8 ) works on windows only. I'm working to support Linux as well.
UPDATE: If you have a space in your Arduino Path or project name the plugin will not work. In general try to avoid spaces in names.
1) install the Arduino IDE
2) install eclipse indigo
2.1) download the code from here Eclipse Downloads | The Eclipse Foundation
2.2) Unzip the file downloaded from eclipse( I assume c:/indigo)
3) Install the Arduino plugin
3.1) Start eclipse
3.2) run the program c:/indigo/eclipse/eclipse.exe
3.3) give a name to the workspace (I assume you use "Arduino")
3.4) Close the welcome screen
3.5) Select help->install new software
3.6) Enter the information as below (select the newest version of the plugin)
Site: http://www.baeyens.it/eclipse/update site
3.7) restart eclipse (as requested by eclipse)
3.8 ) open the workspace Arduino
4) Configure the plugin
4.1) open the preferences (windows -> preferences)
4.2) open the section Arduino->Arduino
Fill it in like below (using your Arduino IDE location)
4.3)Following setting in general-> work space is not needed but advised:
Set the auto save before build on to avoid different version between uploaded and visible code.
4.4) select OK to save the preferences
Creation of a Arduino sketch
Now you can create a new Arduino project with the plugin
Do file -> new -> project
Select the Arduino sketch and then next
Provide a name for the sketch and press next (note that in the image below the finish is enabled because I already created a sketch)
Provide the Arduino information and select finish (note that all this information will be stored so you will not need to reenter when you create a new sketch)
Now the plugin will create 2 projects. one for the Arduino library and one for the sketch. The image below holds more projects but the new ones are highlighted.
In the image above I opened the my sketch.cpp file by double clicking on it.
Pressing the hammer (marked in the image above) will compile the project.
Pressing the AVR button (marked above) will upload the project to your Arduino board.
Changing Arduino target board or com port
To change the board or com port right click on the project and select properties
you get the same dialog box where you can change the board and com port.
After you pressed finish you get a new Arduino core project for the mcu if needed.
Importing a library
select file->import
Select the Arduino->Import a arduino library in the current project
Select the folder you want to import and the project you want to import to and select finish
Keeping the eclipse project compatible with the IDE
To be able to compile your code directly in the Arduino IDE you need to do something extra at three actions
- After installation tell Eclipse to process pde like C++ file
- After creation of a new sketch project tell the compiler to treat pde files like C++ files (-x c++ compiler option) and rename cpp file to pde
- After inclusion of a library add a include of the library to the pde file.
Below are detailed instructions.
- After installation tell Eclipse to process pde like C++ file
Windows ->preferences
In the section C/C++ -> file types press new
enter *.pde as filename and C++Source file as type. - After creation of a new sketch project tell the compiler to treat pde files like C++ files (-x c++ compiler option) and rename cpp file to pde
right click on the project ant select properties
In the section C/C++ -> settings select the tab tool settings (normally already selected)
In the section AVR C++ compiler change the command line pattern by adding -x c++ before {$INPUTS}
select OK to save the settings.
right click the .cpp file select rename and change the .cpp to .pde - After inclusion of a library add an include reference to the library to the pde file.
in the pde file at the top add a line that looks like
#include <[the imported library].h>
Note that if the library contains examples you will have to move them to another location in the current version of the plugin.
Please feel free to download, test and comment.
Best regards
Jantje
PS: Currently it only supports windows