View source for Vangelis Pills - Core ui paradigms

= Introduction =
Zynthian has a very flexible approach to hardware design, supporting a graphical user interface (screen) with optional touch control and hardware rotary encoders and buttons. Some or all of these may be incorporated into a build. The official zynthian kits are broadly split between V5 (latest with 20 push buttons) and V4 or earlier. The user interface documentation considers three core designs:

* V4 (or earlier)
* V5
* Touch-only

The user interface is designed to fully support each of these hardware configurations, hence there are descriptions for each UI.

= Device Types =
== V4 ==

The V4 has a 3.5" resistive touchscreen and 4 rotary encoders, each with an integrated push switch. Later models also had 4 additional push buttons. The touchscreen relies on a stylus for accurate control and is not relied on for UI navigation or control.

== V5 ==

The V5 has a 5" capacative touchscreen, 4 rotary encoders, each with an integrated push switch and 20 push buttons. All operation is possible from the hardware encoders and switches. The touchscreen allows alternative method of control for some workflows.

== Touch-only ==

Zynthian may be built with just a touchscreen, or a non-touchscreen with pointer device, e.g. mouse. All functionality is available via the touch/pointer interface.

== Other control ==

It is also possible to plug in other controllers, e.g. HID keyboards, MIDI keyboards, network OSC control, etc. This pill does not cover these interfaces but it is worth noting that control can be expanded with extra hardware.

= Encoder Control =

Zynthian rotary encoders are endless rotating shafts with detents (24 on standard kit). The encoder may be rotated clockwise or counter-clockwise to increase or decrease a value. Each encoder has a switch that is operated by pressing the encoder's knob. See [[#Switch_Control|Switch Control]] section for details of switch operation.

= Switch Control =

Each switch can trigger actions and has three modes of operation:

* Short press - Press and release the switch within 0.3s
* Bold press - Press and hold the switch then release before 2.0s
* Long press - Press and hold the switch for over 2.0s

= Touch Control =

The graphical user interface allows for touch and pointer (mouse) control. This include tap / click with similar functionality to that described in the [[#Switch_Control|Switch Control]] section (short, bold, long). Gestures are also supported including drag and swipe.