Can I set a bacground image for the front panel?

[holomorph]

I would like to use an image as a bacground reference while designing my front panel (which is based on the image). I know I can paste the image into the panel, but the problem is, even if I send it to the back, I can't box select any of the smaller componants I place on top. Is there any way around this?

[tbob]

I tried this and ran into the same problem. I also would like to know if there is a way around this.

[chilly_charly]

Easy : just lock the image (use the "Reorder button" to access the command)...

[Wiebe@CARYA]

Hi,

The problem is you cannot select anything with box select (you found out
yourself). This is because as soon as you use mouse down, LV drags the
picture, instead of starting a selection rectangle.

The only solution is to move the picture to a non working area, and move it
back when you are finished. This can be done automatically. You can get a
reference to the front panel, get an array with all decorations, and pick
the picture reference from this array. You can set the position using a
property node. This way, you can move the picture away when editing, and you
don't have to move it back.

Another way of dealing with this is to select controls and indicators by
clicking them with shift hold down.

Regards,

Wiebe.



"holomorph" wrote in mess
age
news:50650000000800000091020100-1079395200000@exchange.ni.com...
> I would like to use an image as a bacground reference while designing
> my front panel (which is based on the image). I know I can paste the
> image into the panel, but the problem is, even if I send it to the
> back, I can't box select any of the smaller componants I place on top.
> Is there any way around this?

[AESulzer]

Both solutions that Wiebe suggested are good ones, but the statement about not being able to box select is incorrect. If you lock the image as chilly charly suggested, then you can begin a box select on top of the image without the image interfering. The cursor will not change (it will remain as an arrow), but it functions the same as the box select cursor as long as the image is locked.

Eric Sulzer
Applications Engineer
National Instruments
http://www.ni.com/ask

[chilly_charly]

Ah ! I was beginning to think that this was a Macintosh specific behaviour :))
Thanks for reading ! So nice to have some feedback...

[Dave B]

Hi There,

A way to do this is to drop a picture control onto the front panel. Then on
the block diagram drop a "Read JPEG File" or "Read BMP File" VI. Wire a path
control into this, locting the file you want to display.
Drop down the VI Draw Flattened Pixmap"
Then wire the 'image data output' into the "Draw Flattened Pixmap" VI. Then
wire the output 'new picture' into the picture control icon (which you need
to change to an indicator!!). Job done, Now you can programmatically control
the picture control using the regular labVIEW control properties.

Dave.
"holomorph" wrote in message
news:50650000000800000091020100-1079395200000@exchange.ni.com...
> I would like to use an image as a bacground reference while designing
> my front panel (which is based on
the image). I know I can paste the
> image into the panel, but the problem is, even if I send it to the
> back, I can't box select any of the smaller componants I place on top.
> Is there any way around this?

[slipstick]

Just found this thread and it solved my problem, but I thought I should mention for the new people (and myself when I have forgotten this in six months) that after you have locked the image, the only way I know to select it to unlock it is by dragging a selection window around it.