How to minimize a VI

[Joseph_Loo]

I have Labview 8.5.1 running on XP. I have an application that has 2 top level VI. I want to minimize one of the VI to the tray upon execution. I have program the VI on the Windows run-time to run minimize and set the application build to use the VI properties on the run-time.

Under 8.2.1 this was adequate to do a minimize. Under 8.5.1 this no longer works. Am I doing something wrong or is this another feature of Labview 8.5.1?

[brocksprat]

Hello Joseph,

You could minimize the VI programmatically by using the "Front Panel->Run-time Position->Minimized" method provided by an invoke node wired to the VI's reference. I've attached a sample VI that minimizes its front panel upon execution. The while loop is not necessary for this functionality, as it simply continues running until the stop button is clicked.

I hope that helps!

[Joseph_Loo]

Did I missed the bug report that says my method no longer works? Is this to be the usual way I am suppose to operate from now on?

[brocksprat]

Hello Joseph,

You should be able to do it either way: using VI properties (the method you described) or invoke nodes (the method I described).

I was able to successfully build an application with two VIs (one minimizes at runtime, one stays open) using the VI properties window as you described. When I run the built executable,  the VI I configured to minimize at run-time did in fact minimize, and the VI configured to remain opened stayed open. I am not able to replicate the problem on my system (LabVIEW 8.5.1 on Windows XP). Would you mind attaching a simple project which produces the problem?

I've attached the project I created in an attempt to recreate your problem. "minimize.vi" is configured to minimize at run time (no longer has the programmatic minimization method), "normal.vi" is configured to be centered at runtime. Please let me know how the built application behaves on your machine.

Thanks!

[Ray.R]

I was surprised with Joseph's post.  I didn't see any change between LV8.2 & LV8.5.

RayR

[Joseph_Loo]

I think it has to do with the conversion process of the project file. I started looking at some of the configuration settings. It is different from a built from scratch version. I am in the process of rebuilding the project file from scratch to see if it fixes the problem.

[Benjamin Cook]

Hello Joseph Loo,

I was able to replicate the problem, and have found a solution that works with an installer.  Instead of using an involk node, use a property node, and set Front Panel.state to minimized with a constant.  Hope this works for you.

Regards,

Benjamin Cook

[Joseph_Loo]

It is definitely a conversion process. I rebuilt the project file from scratch. The second VI now runs minimize when I execute the program.

[Jeremy_B]

We were unable to reproduce this here, do you think you could send us your project?

[Joseph_Loo]

Do you want the project file or the entire project. If you are talking about the entire project, it is proprietary to the company.