nanoDLP

Here is what I did to get my Nextion working with a raspberryPi3B+ and the current as of this writing (September 2019) nanoDLP Build 2229.

It turned out to be be MUCH simpler than any of the previous instructions, or what you might find as instructions online in the results of a internet search. Those instructions are for older versions of nanoDLP, and while they may be accurate, do not reflect the current state of the program.

I am using a Nextion NX4024T032 - Generic 3.2" HMI TFT LCD Touch Display Module and I am using the serial over GPIO instead of the supplied serail2USB adapter.

1. Install the nanoDLP distro to the micro SD card like any other raspi distro. I used balena Etcher.

https://www.nanodlp.com/download/#nanodlp

2. Use raspi-config to configure the serial adapter.  I am copying info and images from 'The Wanderer' https://collingwood.me.uk/blog/index.ph … ield-v1-1/ to make this more comprehensible.

3.Set up the serial interface by going into the raspian configuration utility-

 pi@raspberrypi:~ $ sudo raspi-config 

In the main config screen, scroll down to “Interfacing Options” and hit enter. Its Number 5 on the list at the time of this writing.

Scroll down to “Serial” and hit enter. Its 'P6' at the time of this writing.

The first configuration choice is "Would you like a login shell to be accessible over serial?"
Use the arrow keys to swtich options, select “No”

Enter to proceed to the next page
The next choice is to enable the hardware serial port-
"Would you like the serial port to be enabled?"
Use the arrow keys to swtich options, select “Yes”

Hit enter and you will get the following confirmation screen-

Hit enter to return to the main raspi-config menu. Use the Tab key to access the bottom selections, select “Finish” and hit enter.

Hit enter to reboot:

4. Perform the usual ritual of raspi update- SSH to the Pi and do the usual

pi@raspberrypi:~ $ sudo apt-get update
pi@raspberrypi:~ $ sudo apt-get upgrade

I did not reboot yet, I will do that in the next part.

5. Set up the Nextion
The Nextion has an onboard processor and graphics system. It needs some configuration instructions. You need to put the right *.tft file on a microSD card, put that in the Nextion and then boot it up. The Nextion will find the file and start updating automatically.

Get the current Nextion files from the NanoDLP repository. Either browse to it via the 'Download' page or go here- https://www.nanodlp.com/download/#nextion. You will need to download and expand the compressed file and then choose the one that matches your unit. The directory listing of the expanded repo shown here is the file list for V1.1.0-tft from nanoDLP.

I have the 3.2" basic one-

I put it on a spare card and powered up the Nextion. The screen turned a light gray, and in red letters it gave me status updates as it updated.

6. Connect the Nextion to the Pi. I am using the included 4 wire cable that came with the display to connect to the Pi. Here is the image from Tibus' github page-

I am not sure of the BCM pin assignments, but the header connector position is correct. This is my reference to Pi pinouts - https://pinout.xyz/.

This is where I rebooted the raspi and things initialized. After reboot, the display on the Nextion showed the new logo while connecting and the new Human Machine Interface appeared.

7. Update NanoDLP.  Use a browser to go to the instance of NanoDLP. I assume that you can do this without instruction. After you go through the initial startup of the instance of nanoDLP, where you choose the machine type and setup your WiFi, you will want to update to the most current system. 
(At some point, I had also applied the Wanhao D7 configuration from Teching Tech, so the machine ID is 'NanoDLP D7.' Yours will be different).

Look at the version at the top right hand corner.

If there is a blue box here telling you that there is an update available, click it and follow the prompts to install the update. Alternatively, you can go to the Setup->Tools ->Upgrade nanoDLP menu to get there.
You want to update to a version greater than #2101. I am on #2314 at the time of this writing. The system will reboot to complete the upgrade.

8. After the upgrade, you need to set nanoDLP 'Setup Mode' options to "Advanced"
In the first settings group, under "Printer Settings"

Scroll to the bottom and hit the green button to 'Submit'

9. After the display refreshes, scroll to the bottom where the 'Submit' button is.
In the section for 'Various Settings', there is an option for 'Nextion Display Port Address'
Since the Nextion is the only serial device connected to the Pi at this time, there is only one option.

10. I can not remember if I rebooted or restarted nanoDLP, but the display if responsive and functional.
My display now works as is shown in the YouTube video- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XrBzG2-P-Qo

Last edited by sinned6915 (2019-10-04 04:52:49)