Turbo Charge Your Next Project !!
-- Combine the SPEED Of HIDmaker with the POWER of 32 bits!
Why HIDmaker 32 Makes Sense
So, why would anybody want to make a HID device with big PIC32MX processor anyway?
There are lots of good reasons. Here are the obvious ones:
- More memory -- you're never gonna run out
- More processing power, due to
- Larger word size
- Faster clock rate
- More powerful peripherals are available in the chip -- and more of them. (Some PIC32MX chips have 6 serial ports.)
- More powerful COMPILERS and LIBRARIES are available
So the bigger processor can handle more work, do more complex work, store more data, and can do it more quickly.
Here is a reason that is not so obvious: for historical reasons, the architectures of the bigger chip families are much more consistent than in the 8-bit PIC processors.
Microchip started out by making really small 8-bit processors with very little memory and very few hardware peripheral modules. Over time, they developed families of larger 8-bit processors, having more memory and more complex peripherals. But each one of those new families was like an isolated experiment -- developed by a different team, with sometimes jarring differences between processor families. So to this day, if you find that you need to move an existing design to a bigger 8-bit processor family, you'll have to do a lot more work than you'd think, just to get your design working again on that newer chip.
But by the time Microchip developed the PIC32MX family, they had learned a lot, and they licensed the 32-bit chip architecture from MIPS. This allowed Microchip to make a family of PIC32MX processors that is so consistent from one chip in the family to the next, that they were able to issue a PIC32MX Family Reference Manual. For any particular hardware peripheral module that can be found in any PIC32MX processor in this family, e.g. the A/D Converter, you can read the documentation in the A/D Converter chapter of the Family Reference Manual. So if you move your project to a different PIC32MX processor, your existing A/D Converter firmware will still work.
What about processor cost? It is true that a larger 16-bit or 32-bit processor will cost more than a small 8-bit processor -- but not a HUGE amount more. Going from a $3 8-bit processor to a $10 PIC32MX might seem like a big step, but trying to compete on price these days is a hard way to make a living.
Our existing HIDmaker customers are able to make smarter products that DO more, so they can sell a product like that for a higher price. Even with a $3 8-bit PIC processor in it, they have been able to sell their products for hundreds, and even thousands, of dollars.
Some folks who have been working on 8-bit processors for years, are a little nervous about how hard it might be to learn to use a bigger processor like a PIC32. Those bigger processors may seem more complex when you first start looking at them, but you may have forgotten -- those 8-bit devices you are used to are pretty complex too, and they also took awhile for you to learn them. But because PIC32s are so consistent, you only need to learn that stuff ONCE.
If you are feeling a little overwhelmed at the prospect of learning how to adjust to using a 16-bit or a 32-bit microcontroller, HIDmaker 32 will ease your pain. Here's what you can do:
- Buy one or more of the Microchip demo boards we recommend for use with HIDmaker 32.
- Use one of our HIDmaker 32 sample projects, or make a HIDmaker 32 project of your own, using your own data.
- Be sure to generate code for both an 8-bit processor, and at least one of the larger processors, like a PIC32MX.
- You'll be able to compile and run the PIC code -- exactly the way it was generated -- and communicate with the matched PC program that HIDmaker 32 generated at the same time. (The same PC program can talk to the generated project running on an 8-bit, a 16-bit, or a 32-bit processor. The PC program does not know or care what processor the HID peripheral device is running on.)
- Then, you can compare the generated 8-bit code -- line by line if you want -- to the generated code for the 16-bit and / or 32-bit processor
- By doing that, you'll learn a lot, and you'll gain confidence.
The fact that HIDmaker 32 can let you QUICKLY make a working software project that runs on a big PIC like a PIC32 or a dsPIC, means that you could create lots of related high-value products in a short time, and grow your business fast.
What You Get In HIDmaker 32
Supports Microchip 32-bit, 16-bit, and 8-bit USB-capable processors, with CUSTOM source code generated for Microchip C compilers:
Now you can quickly develop powerful USB HID projects for the larger and more powerful 16-bit and 32-bit USB-capable processors from Microchip. Break through the speed, memory, and peripheral limit barriers of those 8-bit processors you used before. HIDmaker 32 is the fastest way to upgrade your old HID project to get the benefits of bigger processors!
- 32-bit:XC32 and C32 compilers
- 16-bit:XC16 and C30 compilers (Works with both the free version of this compiler and the Pro version.)
- 8-bit:XC8 and C18 compilers
- NEW in HIDmaker 32! Generates MPLAB X project files for all PIC side code generators, which lets you use the latest Microchip tools and processors.
- Also generates MPLAB 8 project files for all PIC side code generators, so you can work faster, with fewer IDE bugs. Great for maintaining and upgrading your existing projects, without having to learn an entirely new tool suite.
BONUS -- HIDmaker 32 Product ALSO Includes HIDmaker FS 2! All PIC side code generators UPGRADED for latest compilers and development environments.
Quickly develop powerful USB HID projects for 8-bit USB-capable processors from Microchip, using compilers from Microchip and others. HIDmaker FS 2 uses a combination of high level language code in the parts of the project that you work with, with fast assembly language for the USB libraries that you should leave alone. This gives you better performance, and more choices for programming languages & compilers for your PIC code!
- Enhanced in HIDmaker FS 2! Works with Microchip C18 and XC8 compilers, melabs PICBASIC Pro 3, Microchip MPASM Assembler
- NEW in HIDmaker FS 2! Works with latest Microchip XC8 compilers. (Works with both the free version of this compiler and the Pro version.)
- NEW in HIDmaker FS 2! Generates MPLAB X project files for all PIC side code generators, which lets you use the latest Microchip tools and processors.
- Also generates MPLAB 8 project files for all PIC side code generators, so you can work faster, with fewer IDE bugs. Great for maintaining and upgrading your existing projects, without having to learn an entirely new tool suite.
Enhanced in HIDMaker 32! Complete Upgrade PC Side Code Generators for Microsoft and Embarcadero compilers.
Generate CUSTOM source code for YOUR favorite PC compilers, and use their latest features and capabilities, including new frameworks, styling of your project's PC program, 64-bit and 32-bit compile targets, and more. Give your project a powerful, easy to use, great looking PC side front end, that will captivate your customers!
Microsoft Compilers:
- Lets you use YOUR favorite programming language: Supports C#, Visual Basic, and C++ programming languages with Microsoft Visual Studio
- Complete solution for each compiler! Generates ready to compile and run source code AND Visual Studio project files
- NEW in HIDmaker 32! 64-bit and 32-bit compile targets -- including "Any CPU"
- NEW in HIDmaker 32! Tested with .NET versions up to 4.6
- NEW in HIDmaker 32! Added new code generator for Microsoft WPF (Windows Presentation Foundation) projects for C# (Visual Basic coming soon)
- Enhanced in HIDMaker 32! Updated code generators for Microsoft WinForms projects for C#
- Enhanced in HIDMaker 32! Updated code generators for Microsoft WinForms projects for Visual C++ -- Both .NET and MFC
Embarcadero (Formerly Borland) Compilers:
- NEW in HIDmaker 32! Updated code generators for latest versions of Embarcadero Delphi and C++ Builder
- NEW in HIDmaker 32! 64-bit and 32-bit compile targets
- Compile directly to simple EXE files -- easiest to install on your end user's PC
- Customize the generated UI using the vast number of supplied, 3rd party free, or low cost VCL screen controls. Make your UI look stunning!
- NEW in HIDmaker 32! Compatible with VCL Styling as offered by newer Embarcadero compilers. You can even let your users choose their preferred visual styling!
Enhanced in HIDMaker 32! New version 1.4 of HIDagent
HIDagent makes it possible for HIDmaker's PC code to be easy to understand and use. Important HIDagent enhancements and fixes.
- NEW in HIDmaker 32! 64-bit and 32-bit versions of new HIDagent v1.4, and new generated code for all PC compilers, that knows how to use the right one.
- Enhanced in HIDMaker 32! Important fixes for HIDagent, that fix problems caused by Windows 8.1 and later API bugs, that caused improper behavior of PC programs during startup or surprise connections and disconnections of devices. Problems solved!
- Click here to learn more about HIDagent -- a HIDmaker exclusive!
Want to stay with 8-bit PIC devices for now? Learn about new HIDmaker FS 2 here.
Are you a registered HIDmaker user (any version)? Contact us about our insanely low upgrade prices! (Limited time only)
Quickly make CUSTOM , ready to compile and run USB HID class source code, for your next project! MATCHED code, made at the same time for both PC and PIC device, that sends data that YOU defined, and written for YOUR FAVORITE COMPILERS .
Get an UNFAIR ADVANTAGE over your competitors, with HIDmaker 32 ! Gets your USB HID project running, and communicating YOUR custom data, in as little as 10 minutes! Pays for itself in 1 day!
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