Control your Rasp Pi projects with Python’s Tkinter library
The Tinkerer
Use Tkinter to control your Rasp Pi projects from a smartphone or tablet.
If you are looking for an easy way to control your Raspberry Pi projects, consider Python's Tkinter library. In about 20 lines of Python code, you can create a graphic program to control a Rasp Pi rover project (Figure 1). This article shows how to create a Python Tkinter application to control the Rasp Pi's General Purpose Input Output (GPIO) pins. I will also show you how to set up a desktop shortcut that you can use to easily launch the application, and I will configure a Virtual Network Computing (VNC) server so that a smartphone, tablet, or PC can control the Rasp Pi remotely.
Python Tkinter Library
Tkinter [1] is bundled with the standard Rasp Pi Python installation. The base Tkinter library contains 17 different widgets that you can use for graphic applications. These widgets can be defined with customizable colors, sizes, text, and commands. There are three geometry managers (Pack, Grid, and Place) that can be used to arrange the widgets. For Rasp Pi hardware projects, I found the Grid geometry manager was a good fit. Listing 1 is a simple test program that presents two buttons in a grid and prints feedback when the buttons are pressed. (Note: Python 2.7 references the library as Tkinter
, whereas Python 3 uses tkinter
, lowercase). Figure 2 shows this test program with some button feedback.
Listing 1
tk_test.py
Tkinter Rasp Pi GPIO Motor Example
The Rasp Pi communicates with external hardware through its GPIO pins. These GPIO pins only support 5V connections, so relays or custom tops are required to connect to higher-powered devices. Very low-powered motors can be directly connected to Rasp Pi GPIO pins; however, it is highly recommended that you use a Rasp Pi motor top or some other protection hardware.
Different Rasp Pi tops will vary on the GPIO pins used for their motor connections. For our hardware setup, GPIO pins 19 and 21 were connected to the left and right motors. The GPIO pins are accessed in Python using the RPi.GPIO library. The RPi.GPIO library is preinstalled in the Raspbian image. Listing 2 shows the full code required to drive two motors. For this example, pins 19 and 21 are set as outputs using the GPIO.setup call. A motor function is created to turn each motor on or off. The Tkinter code was enhanced to make the buttons larger and add color. Also, the Python lambda function was used for passing the motor states. Figure 3 shows the Tkinter GPIO control program.
Listing 2
tk_gpio.py
Rasp Pi Shortcut
To make the project easier to access, you can place a quick launch icon or shortcut on the Rasp Pi desktop (Figure 4). To configure a shortcut, add a file to the user's $HOME/desktop
directory:
nano $HOME/desktop/tk_gpio.desktop
The name, icon, and execution command are defined inside this file (Listing 3).
Listing 3
tk_gpio.desktop
Depending on how you plan to run your program, a shortcut might be enough; however, if you would like to control the project remotely, VNC is a good option.
Buy this article as PDF
(incl. VAT)
Buy Linux Magazine
Subscribe to our Linux Newsletters
Find Linux and Open Source Jobs
Subscribe to our ADMIN Newsletters
Support Our Work
Linux Magazine content is made possible with support from readers like you. Please consider contributing when you’ve found an article to be beneficial.
News
-
Endless OS 6 has Arrived
After more than a year since the last update, the latest release of Endless OS is now available for general usage.
-
Fedora Asahi 40 Remix Available for Macs with Apple Silicon
If you've been anticipating KDE's Plasma 6 for your Apple Silicon-powered Mac, then you're in luck.
-
Red Hat Adds New Deployment Option for Enterprise Linux Platforms
Red Hat has re-imagined enterprise Linux for an AI future with Image Mode.
-
OSJH and LPI Release 2024 Open Source Pros Job Survey Results
See what open source professionals look for in a new role.
-
Proton 9.0-1 Released to Improve Gaming with Steam
The latest release of Proton 9 adds several improvements and fixes an issue that has been problematic for Linux users.
-
So Long Neofetch and Thanks for the Info
Today is a day that every Linux user who enjoys bragging about their system(s) will mourn, as Neofetch has come to an end.
-
Ubuntu 24.04 Comes with a “Flaw"
If you're thinking you might want to upgrade from your current Ubuntu release to the latest, there's something you might want to consider before doing so.
-
Canonical Releases Ubuntu 24.04
After a brief pause because of the XZ vulnerability, Ubuntu 24.04 is now available for install.
-
Linux Servers Targeted by Akira Ransomware
A group of bad actors who have already extorted $42 million have their sights set on the Linux platform.
-
TUXEDO Computers Unveils Linux Laptop Featuring AMD Ryzen CPU
This latest release is the first laptop to include the new CPU from Ryzen and Linux preinstalled.