ProtoPie Connect

ProtoPie Connect is an extension app available in ProtoPie’s Pro and Enterprise plans. Prototype any real-world scenarios involving multiple devices, displays, hardware, and APIs seamlessly. ProtoPie Connect serves as the glue that holds everything together.

Install ProtoPie Connect and build your dynamic prototyping environment where prototypes running on various devices can communicate. Because today’s digital experiences go beyond a single laptop or mobile screen.

Download ProtoPie Connect here.

Let's take automotive as an example. In the following video, tapping a button on the center display triggers animations on the cluster and head-up display (HUD). This is possible thanks to the flexibility and power of ProtoPie Connect.

How prototypes communicate in ProtoPie Connect

Communication between multiple devices connected via ProtoPie Connect occurs through Send and Receive messages. It’s the same messaging system used to pass information back and forth between scenes and components, and to create interactions between two devices using ProtoPie Studio as a hub (connecting devices).

You can send out messages to prototypes or hardware devices using the Send response. For other prototypes to hear such messages and respond accordingly, you need to use the Receive trigger.

It is important that both Send and Receive are set up to use the same channel in ProtoPie Studio. For prototypes communicating through ProtoPie Connect, the channel must be ProtoPie Studio.

How ProtoPie Connect Works Technically

At its core, ProtoPie Connect acts like a communication server connecting multiple clients:

• ProtoPie prototypes running on smart devices (iOS, Android)
• ProtoPie prototypes running on web browsers on desktops
• hardware systems (e.g Arduino, Logitech G29 steering wheel)
• external services (e.g. IFTTT webhooks, public APIs)

The clients can communicate either locally, through a localhost server, or within a local area network (LAN). ProtoPie Connect listens on port 9981 on all the IP addresses of the machine it is running on. You can modify the assigned IP address by clicking on Network from the menu bar and selecting another IP address.

Connect Desktop vs. Connect Embedded

There are two different types of ProtoPie Connect:

• Connect Desktop
• Connect Embedded

Connect Desktop runs on macOS and Windows. It allows you to run multiple prototypes simultaneously and create immersive multi-screen experiences. It includes built-in plugins to integrate ProtoPie with external hardware devices and services including Arduino and IFTTT. Enterprise plan users can also upload their own custom plugins to create even more unique digital experiences.

Learn more about Connect Desktop and its IFTTT, G29, Arduino, Gamepad, blokdots, and custom plugins.

As its name suggests, Connect Embedded is designed to run in embedded systems such as Raspberry Pi. It’s a standalone server application that runs in the terminal. Connect Embedded is only available within the Enterprise plan.

Learn more about Connect Embedded.

Learn more with our Complete Guide to ProtoPie Connect

ProtoPie School offers a comprehensive guide to ProtoPie Connect in 8 lessons. It starts with a refresher on Send & Receive, then dives into how to use ProtoPie Connect’s built-in plugins, including how to make your own plugins to integrate with just about anything with a screen — and beyond!
Enroll for free here.

Lesson 1: Introduction

Lesson 2: Using Send & Receive to Make Multiple Pies Talk to Each Other

Lesson 3: Your First Integration with IFTTT

Lesson 4: Arduino (1/2): Connecting with Blokdots

Lesson 5: Arduino (2/2): Roll Your Own Sketch Code

Lesson 6: Creating A Dashboard Experience with the Logitech G29 Steering Wheel

Lesson 7: Your First Bridge App - Provide Date, Time and Current Weather Conditions to your Pie (Enterprise Plan only)

Lesson 8: Advanced Bridge App - Connect to Your Smart Home (Enterprise Plan only)

Contact Us

Contact us if you have questions or need assistance with ProtoPie Connect.