If you have come from the Arduino IDE, the below will help you understand how to get started with vMicro.
NOTE - If you haven't got the below installed and configured, see our
setup guide here.
- Visual Studio (2017+)
- Visual Micro Extension
- Arduino IDE (Desktop, NOT Windows App Store Version)
Remember vMicro works
alongside the Arduino IDE, so all libraries and boards will be immediately available in vMicro.
Opening a Sketch
To open an existing sketch, simply use one of the below options:
a) File > Open > Arduino Project
b) vMicro > Open An Existing Arduino Project
This will open any Arduino Sketch, and add it into a Solution for you. When you next save this vMicro will add in the additional Solution files to the folder.
Other options for creation and deletion can be found here
Read more about Solutions and Projects to help understand these layers.
NOTE - You can still open the sketch in Arduino and compile as normal.
Board Selection
To select the board you wish to use, navigate to the vMicro Menu, ensure you have the IDE set to your Arduino environment
Then drop down the board menu, and select the board you wish to use.
Tip: There is also a toolbar list visible with these options automatically
Build & Upload
To build and upload your code simply either:
a) Build > Build Solution
b) vMicro > Build
The output from the build will appear in the Output Window.
Tip: There is also a toolbar button visible with these options automatically
Using a Library
Using a Library is can be done by selecting vMicro > Add Library.
Simply select the library you wish to use, and vMicro will add in the relevant headers to your file for you.
Tip: There is also a toolbar menu visible with these options automatically
Finding an Example
This is done using the vMicro > vMicro Explorer > Examples Tab.
Simply click on an Example to open its code for viewing, and amending into your own program.
Tip: There is also a toolbar button visible with these options automatically
Preferences
The Arduino preferences are located on a single screen, and in vMicro they are closer to the elements they affect.
Additional Library Paths: vMicro will read these from Arduino, and add in the ones set on the "vMicro > General > Configure Arduino IDE Location(s)" screen.
Build / Upload Logging: These are seperated on the "vMicro > Compiler > Verbose", and "vMicro > Uploader > Verbose" menus
Installing a Board / Library
vMicro will install these in the same location as Arduino, so both environments will be able to use them.
This is done using the "vMicro > vMicro Explorer > Libraries" tab, and "Boards" Tab as relevant.
The Library Manager is explained more on this page, and the Visual Micro Explorer.
Onwards!
You should now be able to use vMicro to perform the basic functions needed to get started.
Further information and useful guides can be found in the documentation.
