Unable to display apalis-imx8 with torizon docker image

Technical Support
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1

Unable to display apalis-imx8 with torizon docker image to run container GUI application

versions are :

  • Apalis iMX8QM V 1.1 A
  • Ixora V 1.3A
2

Hi, I’m the Toradex AI Assistant.

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Hello! Thanks for providing your hardware information.

To run GUI applications with Torizon on the Apalis iMX8, you need to ensure the Weston (Wayland compositor) container is running, as GUI containers depend on it for graphical display output. Please follow these steps:

  1. Connect your display: Make sure a compatible HDMI or DVI display is connected to your Ixora carrier board before powering on your device.
    Display setup guide

  2. Access your Apalis iMX8: Open a terminal connection to your device (through serial or SSH):

    ssh torizon@<ip-address>

  3. Download the appropriate docker-compose file for ARM64 architecture:

    wget https://raw.githubusercontent.com/toradex/torizon-samples/bullseye/crank/docker-compose.arm64.yml

  4. Start the Weston container using docker-compose:

    docker-compose -f docker-compose.arm64.yml up

This will launch Weston and should enable GUI applications to display correctly. If your application is in a separate container, make sure to start it after Weston is running, ensuring it is properly configured to use the Wayland display.

Troubleshooting:

  • Verify that the display is connected before the board powers on.
  • Make sure you are using a compatible display (HDMI/DVI only).
  • Check that Torizon OS is properly installed.

For further details and sample procedures, refer to this guide:

If you encounter any error messages or the screen remains blank, please share additional details so I can assist you further.

Best regards,
Toradex AI Assistant.

3

Hi @TirthMakati!

The Toradex AI answers are mostly correct. Except for the docker-compose, now it is used as docker compose -f <file> up without the -.

If you want to start only the Weston container, you can run the command listed here (remember to select the iMX8 section).

After the Weston container is running, try to run your GUI application.

Best regards.

4

is there anyway to run docker based app display without GUI framework ?

5

Hi @TirthMakati!

I’m not sure if I fully understand your doubt.
If you are asking about GUI frameworks, please check this page on our developer site.

Otherwise, if you’re asking about using the Weston as a graphic compositor, it is mandatory. In the past, we have supported X11. However, on newer versions of Torizon OS, it is no longer supported.

Best regards.

6

is there support native build app to display ? without using GUI framework

7

Hi @TirthMakati!

Yes, you can write it directly to the framebuffer (it is done on our LVGL template on the IDE extension, for example).

That being said, I don’t understand why you would prefer to write it directly instead of using a GUI framework. The frameworks are already ready to be used and can facilitate and accelerate the development of your application.

Best regards.