README.md

Set Up Raspberry Pi Pico SDK and build the firmware

Windows Subsystem for Linux (WSL)

Windows Subsystem for Linux (WSL) allows you to install a complete Ubuntu terminal environment in minutes on your Windows machine, allowing you to develop cross-platform applications without leaving Windows. Install Ubuntu on WSL for Windows

Install development packages

sudo apt update
sudo apt install -y build-essential git cmake gcc-arm-none-eabi

Download the Pico SDK

git clone https://github.com/raspberrypi/pico-sdk.git ~/pico-sdk
git -C ~/pico-sdk submodule update --init
export PICO_SDK_PATH=~/pico-sdk

Build the firmware for Apple IIe

git clone https://github.com/markadev/AppleII-VGA.git ~/AppleII-VGA
cd ~/AppleII-VGA/pico
mkdir build
cd build
cmake -DAPPLE_MODEL=IIE -DCMAKE_BUILD_TYPE=Release ..
make
$ ls *uf2
...
applevga.uf2

Build the firmware for Apple II+

git clone https://github.com/markadev/AppleII-VGA.git ~/AppleII-VGA
cd ~/AppleII-VGA/pico
mkdir build
cd build
cmake -DAPPLE_MODEL=IIPLUS -DCMAKE_BUILD_TYPE=Release ..
make
$ ls *uf2
...
applevga.uf2

Install the firmware

Hold down the BOOTSEL button and connect the Raspberry Pi Pico to your PC via micro USB cable. Once Pico is connected release the BOOTSEL button. Pi Pico should be connected to PC with USB mass storage device mode.

A disk volume called RPI-RP2 will appear on your computer. Drag and drop the applevga.uf2 file to that volume. RPI-RP2 will unmount and Pico will start the program.

Stand-alone test pattern image

There's a test pattern image in the source code that one can set to display immediately at power on, and Pico microcontroller can be powered entirely from USB. To enable test pattern just uncomment RENDER_TEST_PATTERN flag in render.h:

// #define RENDER_TEST_PATTERN