Quick Drop

[GregFreeman]

Does it drive anyone else nuts going from LabVIEW 2009 to an earlier version without quick drop? I repeatedly hit ctrl + space and of course nothing happens. Drives me crazy!

I didn't even realize how much time quick drop saves.

[Darren]

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for(imstuck) wrote:

Does it drive anyone else nuts going from LabVIEW 2009 to an earlier version without quick drop?

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Yes, it's painful.  What's worse for me is when I'm using a test machine that doesn't have my shortcuts in the INI file.  A few points/questions:

• Quick Drop was introduced in LabVIEW 8.6.  The keyboard shortcuts (Ctrl-D, Ctrl-R, Ctrl-T) were added in 2009.
• I prototyped Quick Drop in LabVIEW 8.5 before adding it to 8.6 as a feature.  I've considered making my 8.5 prototype available so 8.5 users (or 8.6/2009 users who have to use 8.5 on occasion) can get a taste for Quick Drop.  Do you think it would be worth the effort for me to do so?

 

[GregFreeman]

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Darren wrote:

• I prototyped Quick Drop in LabVIEW 8.5 before adding it to 8.6 as a feature.  I've considered making my 8.5 prototype available so 8.5 users (or 8.6/2009 users who have to use 8.5 on occasion) can get a taste for Quick Drop.  Do you think it would be worth the effort for me to do so?

 

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Yes, but I'm biased, as I use 8.5

As for the effort, I'm not sure how much it would really take so it's your call on that. However, I know I would definitely get a lot of use out of it, as I'm sure others would. It makes my coding exponentially faster.

[Darren]

Ok, when I get some time I'll get the prototype in a decent state and post it.  8.5 is the earliest version my prototype supports...the internal features just weren't there in 8.2 and previous.

[tbob]

I am very different than the rest.  I don't like quick drop.  I know where all the functions are, and a simple right click brings up the palette.  I don't want to have to memorize all the shortcut keys and have to resort to using the keyboard to call up functions.  I like using my trackball.  Which is another unique thing about me.  I have a trackball where the ball is operated by my thumb.  Everybody else here hates it.  I love it.  I also use the automatic selection tool.  I love that too.  Shall I go on....

[pallen]

I just finished making a bunch of videos with one of our co-op students here.  In the videos we used the Quick Drop all the time.  Now he's working on a legacy project and one of the first things he mentioned to me was how much he missed Quick Drop. 

[tbob]

He can have mine.

[GregFreeman]

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tbob wrote:

He can have mine.

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honestly, when i first started using it I felt the same way. I didn't get what it was all about. But I forced myself to learn to use it and it has helped tremendously.

That said, if it ain't broke don't fix it. So if your way works for you and quick drop will slow you down, I understand why you wouldn't want to change. But I will say, it is worth it to try it for a few weeks at least until it becomes a bit more second nature.

[Darren]

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@for(imstuck) wrote:

...and quick drop will slow you down...

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After following the advice I posted in this nugget, I find it hard to believe that Quick Drop would ever be slower than navigating the palettes.  I guess if you have multiple levels of palette hierarchy for a particular object memorized, but don't know that object's name?  😉

[GregFreeman]

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Darren wrote:

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@for(imstuck) wrote:

...and quick drop will slow you down...

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After following the advice I posted in this nugget, I find it hard to believe that Quick Drop would ever be slower than navigating the palettes.  I guess if you have multiple levels of palette hierarchy for a particular object memorized, but don't know that object's name?  😉

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Steps 3 and 4 in that nugget are by far the most beneficial and the method I have used to greatly increase speed. If you can memorize where the VIs are located in the palette, I'm sure you will be able to memorize your personal shortcuts in the quick drop