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FIRST Robotics Competition Documents
Installing LabVIEW for FRC 2018 (LabVIEW only)
Note: This installation is for teams programming in LabVIEW or using NI Vision Assistant only. C++ and Java teams not using these features do not need to install from the DVD.
Download and installation times will vary widely with computer and internet connection specifications, however note that this process involves a large file download and installation and will likely take at least an hour to complete.
Uninstall Old Versions (Recommended)
NOTE: The cRIO-FRCII (4-slot) is supported by the 2015 software, but the cRIO-FRC (8-slot) is not. The LabVIEW for FRC 2014 license has been extended. If you wish to keep programming 8-slot cRIOs you will need to maintain an install of LabVIEW for FRC 2014. While these versions should be able to co-exist on a single computer, this is not a configuration that has been extensively tested.
Before installing the new version of LabVIEW it is recommended to remove any old versions. The new version will likely co-exist with the old version, but all testing has been done with FRC 2018 only. Make sure to back up any team code located in the "User\LabVIEW Data" directory before un-installing. Then click Start >> Control Panel >> Uninstall a Program. Locate the entry labeled "National Instruments Software", right-click on it and select Uninstall/Change.
Select Components to Uninstall
In the left pane of the dialog box that appears, select all entries. The easiest way to do this is to click the top entry to highlight it, then scroll down to the bottom entry, press and hold shift and click on the last entry then release shift. Click Remove. Wait for the uninstaller to complete and reboot if prompted.
Getting the LabVIEW Installer
Either locate and insert the LabVIEW DVD or download the LabVIEW 2017 installer from https://www.ni.com/en-us/support/downloads/software-products/download.labview-software-for-frc.html
If downloaded, right click on the downloaded file (NI_FRC2018.zip) and select Extract All.
Note: This is a large download (~4GB). It is recommended to use a fast internet connection and to use the NI Downloader to allow the download to resume if interrupted.
Installing LabVIEW
National Instruments LabVIEW requires a license. Each season’s license is active until January 31st of the following year (e.g. the license for the 2018 season expires on January 31, 2019)
Teams are permitted to install the software on as many team computers as needed, subject to the restrictions and license terms that accompany the applicable software, and provided that only team members or mentors use the software, and solely for FRC. Rights to use LabVIEW are governed solely by the terms of the license agreements that are shown during the installation of the applicable software.
Double click on autorun.exe to launch the installer. If prompted to allow changes click Yes. To install LabVIEW to program your FRC robot, click the top option Install Everything for LabVIEW Development. To install only NI Vision Assistant for use with C++ or Java, click Install Only NI Vision Development Module.
Click "Next"
Click "Next"
Un-check the box, then click "Next"
Enter name, organization, and the serial number from the LabVIEW packet in your KOP. Click "Next"
Click "Next"
Check "I accept..." then Click "Next"
Check "I accept..." then click "Next"
If you see this screen, Click "Next"
If you see this screen, click "Next"
Click "Next"
Overall installation progress will be tracked in this window
Each product installed will also create an individual progress window like the one shown above.
Click "Next"
If internet access is available and you are ready to activate, click "Next"; otherwise uncheck the "Run License Manager..." and click "Next".
Log into your ni.com account. If you don’t have an account, select ‘Create account’
The serial number you entered at the "User Information" screen should appear in all of the text boxes, if it doesn't, enter it now. Click "Activate".
If your products activate successfully, an “Activation Successful” message will appear. If the serial number was incorrect, it will give you a text box and you can re-enter the number and select “Try Again”. If everything activated successfully, click “Next”.
Click "Close".
Select "Yes". Your computer will restart.
NI Update Service
On occasion, you may see alerts from the NI Update Service about patches to LabVIEW. It is not recommended to install these updates unless directed by FRC through our usual communication channels (Frank's Blog, Team Updates or E-mail Blasts).
