New to Geppetto? Get started below!


Geppetto Dashboard

In the Geppetto Dashboard, there are three ways you can start your design.

  1. Start from Scratch - With New Design, you're starting from an empty board where you have the option to drag modules into the board.
  2. Start from Builder - With Quick Start: Builder, you're presented with a list of categories and modules which you can select from. Then, Builder will add it to the board for you.
  3. Start from Template - With Clone an Existing Design, Geppetto will make a copy of a design by a Gumstix engineer which you can start your board with.

Moreover, the Dashboard contains a list of Latest Modules we released to the public in Geppetto.

Board Builder

It is one of the easiest ways to start a design in Geppetto. You just choose and select from a list of functionalities, click a button and the modules will be on your board.

The Geppetto Board Builder is one of the ways to start a Geppetto design.

How to use the Board Builder?

1. Choose functionalities or modules

Select the group you want on the board (e.g. COM or Processor). Board Builder will suggest a list of COM or Processor you can choose from on the left box. If you don't find what you need, use the Search functionality.

Board Builder Select Functionalities

2. Click the [Start Build] button.

Board Builder will add and position your modules on the board.

Board Builder Start Build Button

3. Add Power

Board Builder also includes a power suggestion phase. You will enable this feature by following the on-screen prompt after the modules has been added.

Board Builder Add Power

4. Review and Finalize

Once you're finished with steps 1-3, you will have a board that's ready for your review and finalization.


Workspace Overview


The Geppetto workspace contains all the tools to create a board

Basic Functions

Drag and Drop

Find modules from the righthand library. Modules are functional blocks that offer a specific feature, such as power, sensors, connectors, and more. To add a module, simply drag and drop its graphic onto your board.

Module Library

Reposition

Drag modules with your mouse to position as desired. For more precise placement, you can nudge the module with your keyboard's arrow keys. You should keep modules within the board boundary, and in their own space (ie. not overlapping with another module).

Connect

To connect a module, hover over it and and click the requirement flags that appear. Flags allow you to establish dependencies, including power requirements, between specific modules.

Board Resize and Corner Radius

To increase the size of the board, you can drag the edge of the board to the size you need. You can also use Dimension Mode and More Controls as described further below.

Moreover, if you want a board with radius on the edge, you can drag the lower-left edge of the board or adjust the radius.


Steps to Connect Modules

Color-coded requirement flags will display when you hover over a module. The flag color will indicate what needs to be done.

Requirement flags
A yellow flag and a red flag

Connect a red requirement flag

A red flag means that its dependency needs to be fulfilled by a new module from the library. Clicking this flag will make the module library automatically display matching options. Any of these options will fulfill the requirement.

When you add a valid module to your board, the red flag should detect it and turn yellow. You can now connect those two modules via their flags.

Connect a yellow requirement flag

A yellow flag means that another module on your board can fulfill its requirement.

1. Clicking the yellow (5.0V) flag causes a new flag to appear by the valid module.
2. Now, clicking that new flag establishes the 5.0V connection.

A connection is complete when the flag turns green. You can check where the module is connected by clicking this flag.

Disconnecting a module

Step 1. Click the green requirement flag
1. Click the requirement flag that you want to disconnect.
Step 2. Click the provider flag
2. Another green flag will appear on the provider. Click it to finish disconnecting.

The requirement flag should now become yellow, meaning it has disconnected.


Additional Module Controls

Right click on Work Space

When you click on a blank space on the board or outside the board in the work space, these options will appear:

  • Fit board to modules: This automatically resizes the board to enclose all modules in the Work space.
  • Refocus board: If you lose sight of your board, re-center it here.

Click on Module

When you click on a module on the board, these options will appear:

  • 90°: This rotates the module 90 degrees counter clockwise.
  • Board edge: This moves the module to the closest edge of the board.
  • Corner: This moves the module to the closest corner of the board.

Double click on Module

When you click a module again (double click), these options will appear:

  • Info: This provides more information about the module.
  • Rename: This allows you to rename the module.
  • Connections: This allows you to view, download, and upload connections of any given module.
    List of Connections
  • Delete: This will remove the module from the board.

Right click on Module

When you right click a module, all the options described in 2 and 3 will also be available.


Color Indicators

Colors indicate the status of your board and modules. Find explanations of each status below.

Module Color

Red Module

Red

A dependency or requirement is missing from the board.

Yellow Module

Yellow

Some connections have not been met, but can be satisfied by an existing module on the board.

Green Module

Green

All dependencies have been met.

Module Outline

Red Outline

Red

The module cannot be placed here. Placement can be invalid if it is off the board, or overlapping with another module.

Black Outline

Black / Gray

The module can be physically placed here.

Board Outline

Red Board Border

Red

The board is incomplete. Either the module is not properly placed within the board, a dependency is missing from the board, or both.

Yellow Board Border

Yellow

There are unresolved connections between the modules on the board.

Green Board Border

Green

All connections and dependencies have been met. The board is ready to be submitted for verification.


Toolbar

Geppetto Toolbar

The toolbar offers the following functionalities, and more:

New: Start a new design.

Open: Browse and open your saved designs.

Save / Save As: Save your design into the My Account tab (requires an account).

Share: Share your design to colleagues to give them view access to your open design.

Builder: Opens Board Builder mode.

Find Power: Calculates power required based on the module on your board and adds what you selected.

Connect: A mode allowing you to view and create connections between modules.

Dimensions: A mode allowing you to take measurements.
*For more information about Connections and Dimensions, see Modes.

Refocus: If you lose sight of your board, re-center it here.

Help: View a quick tip slideshow.

Price: Get a cost estimate for your working design.

3D View: View your board as a to-scale 3D model.

Power: View a power calculation of your open design.

Download: Opens a window to enable download of Autodoc and AutoBSP.

  • Autodoc: Generate a document about the open design.
  • AutoBSP: Generate a board support package (BSP) specific to the open design.

Validate: Create a product page for your design (requires a store account). You can choose to submit your design for manufacturing from here.


Modes

Connections mode

Allows the requirement flags to appear, which represent the connections that are necessary for a module on the board. You can only connect modules while this mode is toggled on.

Please note that Connections mode disables Dimensions mode, and vice versa.

Dimensions mode

Allows you to control your board size, set the distance between the edge of the board and a module, or the distance between two modules.

Steps to set dimensions

First ensure that Dimensions mode is on. Then, hover over the edge of the area to be measured until you see a dashed line.

Initial dimension dashed line
1. Click the edge to start a dimension.
Close the dimension
2. Click the opposing edge of the area to complete it.

Your dimension should now appear. Geppetto recognizes measurements in increments of 0.5mm. You can input a value to adjust the distance, and right-click to lock the dimension. Lastly, you can also use this mode to view the static size of any module.


Tabs: My Account, Designed in Gumstix, Community, and Shared with Me

Geppetto Tabs

Besides the workspace, other tabs in the top bar offer extra functionalities:

My Account

You can sign in via your Google or Yahoo account, or use your e-mail address to create a Geppetto account. Once logged in, your saved designs will display here.

Also find toggles to change your theme colour to blue or black.

Designed by Gumstix

The Designed by Gumstix tab shows various boards sold by Gumstix and other boards designed by Gumstix Engineers. You can clone these boards and modify them to your design specifications.

Community

In the community tab, you can see designs shared by others in the Geppetto community. You can clone a board from here, or make a design based on another. Sharing designs is optional as part of the save process.

Shared with Me

In the shared with me tab, you can see designs shared by colleagues and friends only available to you. You can clone a board from here, or make a design based on it. Sharing designs is optional.