📖 How to Use
🎯 Getting Started
This tool has two modes for designing LCD characters:
- Single Character Mode: Design one custom character at a time and export in various code formats
- Full LCD/Animation Mode: Create complete LCD screens with multiple custom characters and animations
✏️ Single Character Mode
- Draw: Click pixels on the 5×8 grid to toggle them on/off (green = on, gray = off)
- Clear/Invert: Use the buttons to quickly clear the grid or invert all pixels
- Variable Name: Customize the variable name for your exported code
- Output Format: Select from 6 different formats:
- C Array (Hexadecimal/Binary) - Ready for Arduino
- Single Line Array - Compact format
- Hex/Binary Sequence - Raw values
- Raw Hexadecimal - Simple byte values
- Copy: Click "Copy to Clipboard" to copy the generated code
🖥️ Full LCD/Animation Mode
- LCD Configuration: Set your LCD size (8-40 columns, 1-4 rows) and click "Apply Size"
- Custom Characters Bank: Create up to 8 custom characters (HD44780 hardware limit)
- Click "+ Add Custom Character" to create a new character
- Click a character to edit it in the grid editor
- Rename or delete characters as needed
- LCD Screen Design: Click any LCD cell to enter text or insert custom characters
- Type "0-7" to insert a custom character (0 = first character, 7 = eighth)
- Type any text to fill cells from current position (auto-wraps to next row)
- Empty input clears the cell
- Animation: Create multi-frame animations
- Click "+ Add Frame" to capture current LCD state
- Select frames to view/edit them
- Set frame delay (100-5000ms) for playback speed
- Click "▶ Play Animation" to preview your animation
- Arduino Code: Complete LiquidCrystal library code is auto-generated
- Includes custom character definitions
- Static display code or animation loop
- Syntax-highlighted for readability
- Copy and paste directly into your Arduino project
💡 Tips
- HD44780 LCDs support a maximum of 8 custom characters (addresses 0-7)
- The 5×8 grid represents actual LCD pixels - what you see is what you get
- Test your animations with different frame delays to find the perfect speed
- Custom characters can be normal letters, symbols, or even simple graphics
Bit 4
Bit 3
Bit 2
Bit 1
Bit 0
Byte 0
Byte 1
Byte 2
Byte 3
Byte 4
Byte 5
Byte 6
Byte 7
C Array (Hexadecimal)
Multi-line C byte array with hexadecimal values (0x00 format). Ready for Arduino or embedded C projects.
LCD Configuration
Custom Characters Bank (Max 8)
LCD Screen Design
Animation Timeline
Arduino Code (LiquidCrystal Library)
Complete Arduino code with LiquidCrystal library initialization, custom character definitions, and display code. Includes animation loop if multiple frames exist.