11-23-2009 11:02 AM
Hello,
We have been testing for reliability and run tests with the same conditions over and over again.
I was wondering if there was a way to use the "Convert to Text" function for multiple runs? I would like to specify a filename such as "Closure_Test" and have it automatically append 01, 02, 03, etc. to the end of the filename for all the test runs selected.
Thanks in advance,
Boyd Howell
11-24-2009 10:33 AM
I was contacted by a NI Support employee stating that this function is not available, but will have the suggestion made for the next SE edition.
Please respond in this thread if the function would be useful to you as well. I may make the support agent aware of this thread if you have any suggestions, etc.
Cheers,
Boyd
11-24-2009 11:11 AM
Hi Boyd,
If you are using Signal Express 2009 (not the LE evaluation version), you can use the Save to ASCII/LVM step. There is a drop-down option titled, "If the file already exists". Select Next available file name.
If you can use LabVIEW, you will have much more control and the ability to code this functionality yourself. I attached a quick example of this.
03-26-2010 10:36 AM - edited 03-26-2010 10:40 AM
I've been on the phone numerous times with NI and as you've discovered there is no way to automate this function. In the Save to ASCII step you have the option for next available file name but my results are unfavorable because it creates 1 file for each sample point.
My workaround is to Overwrite then Append to File, but then I have to manually increment the file name: Run_01, Run_02, Run_03, etc.
I'll be happy when they implement a fix for this!
PS, LabVIEW is not an option for me. Although LabVIEW is running on a few machines here in our lab, it is not something I work with on a day-to-day basis. This is why NI's service reps recommended SignalExpress, which for the most part does just what I need, but then again it's got a handful of issues that are almost show-stoppers. It's very frustrating to see the lack of support for feature updates (I.E. low development priority) for this software package.
03-29-2010 04:28 PM
03-29-2010 05:41 PM
Logging data using the Record function is a nice addition (for some) but does not work well with our logging and data management and file naming conventions. I record multiple data plots (or "runs") for any given test setup. This includes multiple load conditions, fatigue cycle intervals, or a change in specimen setup. I need all my data files to end up in ONE location which is usually a folder identified by the project number. I maintain a separate spreadsheet specific to that project which lists the run number corresponding run description so the engineers can correlate the Data File name (Run_01, Run_02, Run_03 etc.) to the event taking place.
The Record function insists on creating individual folders for each run which in the end creates more work for me to consolidate all the data files into one folder.
The "Show Stoppers" as I refer to them as are numerous;
This list can go on but I don't believe this is the proper forum to address these issues. My biggest annoyance in SigEx is it's inability to automatically zero any offsets other than strain. Every other piece of DAQ hardware/software I've used integrates this function either by using a zero offset potentiometer in hardware (old school) or by clicking a button in software that says "Auto-Zero".
03-29-2010 06:09 PM
Hey OKors,
Thank you for the feedback. Could you send a mail to support@ni.com and refer to this forum thread so that we can continue this discussion. Thank you.
03-30-2010 09:39 AM
Nitin T,
Thank you for the support. I have sent an email to NI.Support with a link to this thread.
Please note however, I've been in contact with NI phone support numerous times for most of the usability issues I mentioned earlier. Most have gotten glossed over as being 'just not supported at this time', others we've found workarounds for.
So other than a push for future software development improvements I'm not sure this support issue will gain much traction.
Also I would like to add; contrary to the tone of my message earlier, I'm in no way dis-pleased with Signal Express. It does exactly what I need it to do (mostly). I just believe, in addition to some necessary improvements, there are a handfull of things it could do better.
I'd also like to add, the reason most, if not all, of these issues are tolorated is because of the outstanding tech support offered by NI. It's by far the best support I've ever experienced- period.
I also apologize to the OP (bhowell) for hijacking and derailling his thread. I hope this comes back around and he gets the attention he originally requested.