CCE v3 output file format

graviton said:

Hi, I am using CCE v3 developing a project with FG4618. the release output file is in .out format, my question is how to convert it to .txt (TI format) or .hex (Intel format) so we can use the code  image with Elprotronics programmer under production environment?

Using CCE v3, this is a very simple step.  By default, the CCE Project/Workspace wizard will setup some general properties of the Project, which you can obviously configure, to only generate the COFF file format.  This format can be used by CCE to download your program and debug via CCE and the appropriate emulation pod hardware.  The COFF file format contains symbolic information, debug information, etc. that is very useful in the development phase of the design.

However, as you mentioned, in a production environment, there are file formats that you desire to use, either the TI-TXT format or Intel-HEX format.  The CCE project can be configured to include a post-build step to generate this file for you.  The steps to enable this are detailed below.

• Highlight your Project in the Projects window
• Using the menu (or right click), select Project -> Properties
• Highlight the C/C++ Build menu on the left window pane.
• Select the "Build Steps" tab.
• Under the "Post-build step" area, there is a pull down menu for "Apply Predefined Step".
• Select either "Create flash image: TI-TXT" or "Create flash image: Intel-HEX"
• Click Apply and then OK
• Rebuild your project

Thanks a lot, Brandon! It works seamlessly.

Hi,

Do you have instructions to enable this same feature for CCSTUDIO v3.3. I can seem to locate the postbuild options

Cheers

FOr CCS v3.3, it is not quite the same, but similar.

1. Project->Build Options...
2. Select General Tab
3. Add build command in "Final Build Steps"

You will need to specify the command line for the hex conversion utility.  There isn't a pre-canned option like CCE or even CCS v4.0.

thanks do you know what this would look like to generate an intel hex or Ti text file?

Depending on which device you are using, I would suggest looking at the Assembly Language Tools user's guide for that architecture.  In that document will be a section dedicated to the Hex Conversion Utility.

You will need a command file that describes the physical memory layout to the tool and allow you the opportunity to specify which sections of code are placed in the output.

For example, the C6000 Assembly Language Tools User's Guide (SPRU186) has a section on the Hex conversion utility.

The command line could be as simple as "hex6x hexutil.cmd", but the file hexutil.cmd will have details on how the tool is configured to generate your desired output file.

Hi, our customer is using CCE v3 and having question how to make Intel-hex with padding(such as 0xFF)? 

Sunglin Chen said:

In my CCS propterties page, both of the pull down menus of "Command" and "Description" are empty.

Looking at a MSP430 project created using CCS 6.1 the Post-build steps are empty and no longer have an option to "Apply Predefined Step" (which was present in previous versions of CCS).

In CCS 6.0.1 or CCS 6.1 there is instead the option of using the "MSP430 Hex Utility". Under the CCS Project Properties -> Build -> MSP430 Hex Utility tick the "Enable MSP430 Hex Utility" checkbox. CCS will then produce a HEX output file when the project is built. The CCS Project Properties can be used to select how the HEX output file is generated, e.g. Under Build -> MSP430 Hex Utility -> Output Format Options the output format can be selected.

Hi Chester,

My CCS version is 6.0.1.  I followed your instructions and now it could generate hex output file as expected. Thank you very much.

Sunglin.