Arduino Simulaor support

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Arduino Simulator support

Simulator usage

The Arduino IO Simulator gives you the tools and components you need to simulate your Arduino IO. It’s made for quick tests and small projects, there is still further developed in order to obtain the widest possible IO functions.

This Arduino IO Simulator is designed to test an Arduino program quickly with the Arduino board without really having connections to external IO (buttons, potentiometers, LEDs, LCD displays, ...).

To use the simulator you need 3 programs:

  • Java JRE
  • The Arduino Simulator software
  • The Arduino IDE

In order to use the Simulator, you need to download the Java JRE on our computer.The Arduino Simulator for macOS needs the Java JDK.

License activation

The first time you opens the program there will be a license activation screen popping up where you can enter and activate the license key. The Arduino Simulator Drag & Draw is available for 30 days free or you buy a lifetime license. Click on the ‘Change Product Key’ to insert the license key you copied on the website, after entering this you need to click on ‘activate’. When you want to change the trial as a paid version just replace the license key by clicking on the ‘Change Product Key’. After entering the license key you can activate the key with the ‘activate’ button.

Simulator license

Arduino Simulator library codes

In order to let the Simulator understand the code, we have created our own libraries. To maintain the usability, we have decided to keep the instructions as they are but we changed the libraries a bit so they are compatible with our software. There are a few libraries available to use.

The simulator program library is necessary for the digitalWrite… instructions. To use the 16x2 LCD display you have to add our liquidCrystalSim library in order to use it with the simulator. All the instructions are the same.

1. Connect the Arduino Board

The Arduino Simulator works with a lot of Arduino boards:

  • Arduino UNO
  • Arduino Mega
  • Arduino Nano
  • Arduino Micro
  • Arduino Leonardo
  • Arduino UNO WiFi Rev2 (TCP connection)
  • Arduino UNO with Ethernet shield W5100 (TCP connection)
  • Arduino ...

Only the digital and analog pins that are available on the Simulator can be used! Disconnect the Arduino Simulator before uploading the Arduino code with the Arduino IDE.

2. Write your own code and add the Arduino Simulator library

Open the Simulator and go to 'Help -> Arduino UNO programming code -> Arduino UNO programming code (Ino)'. This will open an Arduino (ino) file where you can start writing your code. It's also possible to just add the library to your project and you're done.

In order to let the Simulator understand the code, we have created our own libraries. To maintain the usability, we have decided to keep the instructions as they are but we changed the libraries a bit so they are compatible with our software. There are a few libraries available to use. The simulator program library is necessary for the digitalWrite… instructions. To use the 16x2 LCD display you have to add our liquidCrystalSim library in order to use it with the simulator. All the instructions are the same.

3. Select the used in-outputs in the Arduino Simulator

Each input and output on the Simulator has a selection box where the used digital or analog pin can be connected. With the Arduino Simulator Drag & Draw it's possible to draw lines, different shapes or add texts with custom fonts on it to make it easier to simulate your projects.

4. Connect the Arduino Simulator to the Arduino board with the right COM port

The Arduino Simulator knows which port is the Arduino board

Upload the code from the Arduino IDE to the Arduino board.

Make sure the Arduino is disconnected while uploading the Arduino code.

Frequently Asked Questions

Arduino Simulator