Python bridge

The ArbDraw Python bridge is a small local server that connects the browser-based editor to VISA instruments and installed waveform adapters. It runs on your computer and listens only on 127.0.0.1 by default.

Download and install

Open the latest ArbDraw bridge release and download arbdraw-bridge-with-adapters.zip. It contains the bridge plus adapter packages for OWON XDG3000 / Multicomp MP750290, Rigol DG1022, and TekScope MSO2/MSO6 instruments. Python 3.11 or newer is required.

Extract the ZIP and open a terminal in the extracted folder. Install and start the bridge with the same Python interpreter:

python install.py
python -m python_bridge

The installer downloads Python dependencies and verifies that the adapters load. To install only one package, use python install.py --adapter owon-xdg3000, python install.py --adapter rigol-dg1022, or python install.py --adapter tekscope. The TekScope package registers both tekscope-mso2 and tekscope-mso6.

On Windows, pip creates arbdraw-bridge.exe and arbdraw-bridge-tray.exe in that Python environment's Scripts folder. Run the tray app for notification-area Start, Stop, and Restart controls without a console window, or run arbdraw-bridge.exe directly. If you already installed an older bridge wheel, run the ZIP installer using that same Python environment to upgrade the bridge and add adapters.

The tray menu shows the current bridge version and available adapters. Its ArbDraw favicon is grey while the bridge is stopped, starting, stopping, or in an error state, and changes to blue when the health check confirms the bridge is running.

Individual .whl assets are also available for manual installation. Install a chosen adapter wheel with the same interpreter that runs the bridge. The .tar.gz assets are source distributions for developers and packaging tools. Leave the bridge terminal open while using an instrument; press Ctrl+C to stop it.

Connect from ArbDraw

1. Start the bridge and wait for it to report http://127.0.0.1:8876.
2. In ArbDraw, choose File → Send to AWG.
3. Use the default bridge URL, then connect or refresh the instrument list.
4. Select a VISA resource and use Identify to confirm the connection.
5. Choose the matching AWG Profile before opening the dialog. ArbDraw selects its preferred installed backend automatically; verify it before sending.

VISA backend

The bridge installs PyVISA, but instrument access also requires a VISA implementation. A vendor installation such as NI-VISA normally works without another option. To use the pure-Python implementation, install pyvisa-py into the same environment and select it when starting the bridge:

python -m python_bridge --visa-library @py

Instrument adapters

Adapters add model-specific waveform transfer support. The ZIP installs their separate wheels into the bridge's Python environment. Once the bridge is running, view the installed adapter list to confirm they loaded. Without an adapter, the bridge can still discover VISA resources and identify instruments, but it cannot send a waveform.

For supported Tektronix models, installation checks, the ArbDraw send workflow, file behavior, and MSO2/MSO6 limitations, open the TekScope adapter guide.

Troubleshooting

• Bridge offline: Confirm the terminal is still running and the URL is http://127.0.0.1:8876.
• No VISA resources: Confirm your vendor VISA software or pyvisa-py is installed and can see the instrument.
• No waveform adapter: Run install.py from the release ZIP with the same Python interpreter used to start the bridge, then restart it.
• Command not found: Try python -m python_bridge, or ensure your Python scripts directory is on PATH.

For advanced options, API endpoints, source installation, and adapter development, see the complete Python bridge documentation.