Add support for variants without custom cores (ie, EnviroDIY Stonefly using Adafruit core)

[SRGDamia1]

I have the JSON and variant files working correctly on my local computer, but I want to make them available in the registry for all users. This board does not need a separate core; it uses the Adafruit core. It does need a variants file, though. I can submit a PR for the board .json file, but the build system only accepts variant files stored locally in the project directory or as part of a complete core hosted elsewhere.

platform-atmelsam/builder/frameworks/arduino/arduino-samd.py

Lines 180 to 191 in 4415ce4

	if "build.variant" in board:
	variants_dir = os.path.join(
	"$PROJECT_DIR", board.get("build.variants_dir")) if board.get(
	"build.variants_dir", "") else os.path.join(FRAMEWORK_DIR, "variants")
	env.Append(
	CPPPATH=[os.path.join(variants_dir, board.get("build.variant"))]
	)
	libs.append(env.BuildLibrary(
	os.path.join("$BUILD_DIR", "FrameworkArduinoVariant"),
	os.path.join(variants_dir, board.get("build.variant"))
	))

I want PlatformIO to automatically find and download the variants file for the user without me maintaining a copy of the Adafruit core.

If I'm not understanding and there's already a way to do this, please let me know!

[valeros]

Hi @SRGDamia1

Unfortunately, this repository is not the right place for custom boards that depend on third-party variant files outside of the supported Arduino cores. Although, it's possible to achieve what you described. I see here two options:

• If your board uses an already available Arduino core (e.g. Adafruit), you can dynamically patch the framework package as described here. It's up to you how you get your variant files (for example you can download them from the Internet in the same extra script).
• Alternatively, you can incorporate those custom variant files into your project and set the build.variants_dir option in your platformio.ini . The value in this option should point to a folder in your project that contains necessary variant files.

[4project-co-il]

I was in a similar boat.
See my communication with valeros: #244

I got to a working solution with a custom package, where I supply the variants directory.
The installation is similar to the Arudino IDE, where you have to add a line to the additional boards manager URLs setting.
With PIO the user have to install a custom package pointing it to your repository.
Read the explanation here:
https://github.com/4project-co-il/PlugAndPlay