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Work with SenseCraft HMI

SenseCraft HMI is Seeed Studio's no-code interface design platform for ePaper display devices. You can design dashboards, image galleries, calendars, RSS pages, web content pages, and other always-on information screens in a browser, then deploy them to a compatible device over Wi-Fi.

This Wiki is an ePaper Display application guide. It explains the shortest path from a Seeed ePaper device to a working SenseCraft HMI page, and uses one ePaper display board plus one ePaper screen as an example hardware setup.

Open SenseCraft HMI

When to Use This Guide​

Use this guide when you want to use SenseCraft HMI with a compatible Seeed ePaper product and quickly complete the following workflow:

  1. Confirm or flash the SenseCraft HMI firmware.
  2. Connect the device to Wi-Fi.
  3. Add the device to your SenseCraft HMI workspace.
  4. Deploy your first page to the ePaper display.

For the full platform manual, including account settings, editor details, templates, data widgets, and release notes, see the official SenseCraft HMI documentation.

Before You Start​

Prepare the following items before using SenseCraft HMI:

  • A compatible Seeed ePaper display device.
  • A SenseCraft account. You can create one from the SenseCraft HMI login page.
  • A 2.4 GHz Wi-Fi network.
  • A USB-C data cable if your device needs firmware flashing.
  • A computer running a browser that supports serial-port flashing from the SenseCraft HMI web tool.
tip

Different ePaper products use different HMI firmware builds. Always select the firmware that matches your exact device and screen size.

Official SenseCraft HMI Documentation​

SenseCraft HMI has a dedicated documentation site. Use this Wiki for the ePaper Display quick-start flow, and use the official documentation for complete platform instructions.

TopicUse this when you need toLink
OverviewUnderstand what SenseCraft HMI is and what it can do.Open Overview
Supported HardwareCheck the current device and screen compatibility list.Open Supported Hardware
Getting StartedFollow the official account, firmware, connection, and deployment flow.Open Getting Started
Workspace and CanvasLearn the editor layout, widgets, data sources, and page-building flow.Open Workspace Guide
AI GenerationGenerate images or page layouts with text prompts.Open AI Generation
Release NotesCheck the latest platform and firmware updates.Open Release Notes

Example Hardware Setup​

The steps below use the XIAO ePaper Display Board (ESP32-S3) - EE04 with the 7.3" Spectra 6 ePaper display as an example. Other compatible Seeed ePaper devices follow the same platform flow, but the firmware build, screen size, and hardware assembly may be different.

XIAO ePaper Display Board (ESP32-S3) - EE047.3" Spectra 6 ePaper Display
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note

This example is not a compatibility list. For the current supported hardware and firmware matrix, always refer to the SenseCraft HMI Supported Hardware page.

Step 1: Confirm or Flash HMI Firmware​

The first step is to make sure your ePaper device is running SenseCraft HMI firmware.

The reTerminal E Series is designed to work with SenseCraft HMI out of the box. Power on the device and continue to Step 2: Connect the Device to Wi-Fi.

If you previously flashed another firmware, open the SenseCraft HMI device page, choose your device model, and follow the on-screen firmware instructions.

tip

Use Full Flash only when you want to clear stored Wi-Fi information, pairing data, and existing device content.

Step 2: Connect the Device to Wi-Fi​

After the device is running HMI firmware, connect it to your local Wi-Fi network.

Step 1. Connect your phone or computer to the Wi-Fi access point shown on the ePaper screen. This temporary access point does not require a password.

The access point name depends on the device type. For an ePaper Display Board with a separate screen, the name may appear as ePaper DIY Kit-xxxx. For a reTerminal E Series device, the name may appear as reTerminal E100x-xxxx. In both cases, xxxx usually represents the last four characters of the MAC address.

ePaper Display Board + ScreenreTerminal E Series
AP name example: ePaper DIY Kit-xxxxAP name example: reTerminal E100x-xxxx

Step 2. Scan the QR code on the ePaper screen. If the configuration page does not open automatically, open a browser and visit 192.168.4.1.

Step 3. Select your local Wi-Fi network, enter the password, and click Connect.

tip

Use a 2.4 GHz Wi-Fi network. Many ESP32-S3-based devices do not connect to 5 GHz Wi-Fi networks.

Step 4. Wait until the device joins the network and shows a pair code.

Step 3: Add the Device to SenseCraft HMI​

After Wi-Fi setup, add the device to your SenseCraft HMI workspace.

Step 1. Open the Device page and click Add Device.

Step 2. Enter a device name and the pair code shown on the ePaper screen, then click Create.

Step 3. Confirm that the device appears in your Panel.

Step 4: Deploy Your First Page​

Once the device is paired, you can deploy content from SenseCraft HMI to the ePaper screen.

The fastest way to start is to use an existing template or one of the built-in creation tools. For the detailed editor flow, follow the official Getting Started guide.

FeatureWhat it is forOfficial guide
CanvasBuild a page from text, images, widgets, shapes, and data sources.Open guide
AI GenerationCreate images or layouts from text prompts.Open guide
GalleryDisplay uploaded images or slideshow-style content.Open docs
RSSShow headlines or article content from an RSS feed.Open docs
Web ContentRender a web page or web-based information panel on the ePaper display.Open docs

The example below shows a SenseCraft HMI page deployed to a 7.3" ePaper display.

SenseCraft HMI page on a 7.3 inch ePaper display

Example result on a 7.3" ePaper display

Troubleshooting​

Q1: Why does my computer not detect the device during flashing?​

This usually means the browser cannot access the serial port, the cable only supports charging, or the board has not entered the right USB state.

  • Use a USB-C cable that supports data transfer.
  • Connect the device directly to the computer instead of through a USB hub.
  • Press the RESET button and open the port selection window again.
  • Try a Chromium-based browser if your current browser does not support web serial flashing.

Q2: Why does the device fail to connect to Wi-Fi?​

The most common cause is using an unsupported Wi-Fi band or entering the wrong password.

  • Use a 2.4 GHz Wi-Fi network.
  • Re-enter the Wi-Fi password carefully.
  • Move the device closer to the router during setup.
  • If the device was previously configured, use Full Flash only when you want to clear saved network settings and start again.

Q3: Why does the screen not show the expected setup QR code after flashing?​

The firmware may not match the connected screen, or the screen may not be connected correctly.

  • Recheck the device model, screen size, and firmware entry on the SenseCraft HMI Tools page.
  • Power off the board before reconnecting the ePaper flex cable.
  • Confirm that the flex cable direction and connector type match your hardware.
  • Flash the matching firmware again and wait for the ePaper refresh to finish.

Q4: Why does the deployed page look different from the editor preview?​

Different ePaper panels have different resolution, color capability, grayscale behavior, and refresh characteristics.

  • Build the page with the same resolution as the target screen.
  • Avoid very small text if the screen resolution is low.
  • Use high-contrast colors for monochrome or grayscale screens.
  • Check the official documentation for editor and deployment details.

Resources​

Tech Support & Product Discussion​

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