Custom Controls

MarkDavid · ‎12-13-2011

I'm sure this is very simplistic for most LV Users. Is there any tutorials for creating custom controls?? I posted earlier and got answers to my questions but most of it was just do it. I didn't understand why. I also found a great tutorial done by SimonH on Customizing the Gauge Control in Labview. But it was more of a step by step rather than a why. For example. What is the difference between the "tweezer" ico and the "wrench" in the upper left? When do I save something as a TYPEDEF, CONTROL or STRICT TYPE DEF?? In my original vi I had a number of controls I wanted replaced w my newly created custom control. How do I do that?? replace> ....??? I checked the "auto update from type def" box on the custom control yet when I update the custom control it doesn't update in my calling vi. National does a great job when it comes to tutorials. Could we get one done for custom controls??

Thanks

Zekasa · ‎12-13-2011

Hello Mark,

I answered your questions before. You will find all of your answers regarding the the custom control in LabVIEW courses ( I think LabVIEW Core 1 or Core 2 I do not remember) you can purchase these courses from NI and think there are NO links for these courses on NI web site to get a soft copy from them.

However, If these are the only questions for you I can help you with them.

MarkDavid · ‎12-13-2011

Great..thanks. I'll give you a scenario and maybe you can incorporate the questions I just asked into the solution.

I have an indicator. Eighteen of them I created on my front panel before I realized I couldn't resize them in the "height" direction. I create custom control.

So what is the difference between the tweezer icon and the wrench?? What is a type def, strict type def and control from the drop down? How come my calling vi isn't updated when I update the custom control even though I have the auto update from type def box checked?? I noticed the numerical display on the custom control is large once I resized it and there appears to be a raised box behind it. Should I separate all the components of the custom control before I do anything to one of them?? Will it affect the final image if I don't return them to their original locations?? How do I replace the other 17 displays?? Can I put the control on my palette??

This is why I think a , at least slide show, would be beneficial.

Thanks!

Zekasa · ‎12-13-2011

@MarkDavid wrote:

Eighteen of them I created on my front panel before I realized I couldn't resize them in the "height" direction.

You can not resize the height of the numeric indicator, the only way to change its height is by changing the font size of the indicator.

So what is the difference between the tweezer icon and the wrench?? What is a type def, strict type def and control from the drop down?

The difference between the tweezer icon and the wrench icon is that, the wrench icon is used to customize the shape of the control/indicator, change size change color, add image to the control, the tweezer shows all the components of the control from which you can change size, place etc of these components.

What is a type def, strict type def and control from the drop down? How come my

Control, type def and strict type def, is the types in which you can save your customized control, if save it as control and you used number of instances of this control these instances will have no relation between them, and you can do any thing on each instance with affect the others.

The Type def, if you save your control as type def, and you took some instances from this control and the auto update from type def is enabled, any change you do to the control from the customize window will be reflected on the other instances. however, in type def, you can change some properties of the control without affecting the other instances (for example the colored, font ..etc)

The strict type def, is the same as the type def, except that you can change any of the properties of control without opening the customize window. So, for example if you want to change the colored of the control you have to right click on the control and select open type def to go to the customize window.

How come my calling vi isn't updated when I update the custom control even though I have the auto update from type def box checked??

I think this because you saved your control as "Control" not as "Type Def" or strict type def.

How do I replace the other 17 displays?? Can I put the control on my palette??

you have to save your customized control as type def or strict type def, so that if you change your customized control it will be reflected on the other 17.

Hope this helps

Ben · ‎12-13-2011

Nice reply, thank you Zaki.

One hair to split re: Strct Type defs....

They only affect the appearence on the FP NOT the BD.

Ben

Retired Senior Automation Systems Architect with Data Science Automation LabVIEW Champion Knight of NI and Prepper LinkedIn Profile YouTube Channel

MarkDavid · ‎12-15-2011

Yes, nice and Thank-you. I think National has developed the most diverse and intuitive Discussion Forum I've ever come across. The Forum Group and AE @ National run one of the most customer friendly Companies in the Country...World !! Keep up the good work and personally I hope they don't ever change a thing.

Ben · ‎12-15-2011

@MarkDavid wrote:

@yes, nice and Thank-you. I think National has developed the most diverse and intuitive Discussion Forum I've ever come across. The Forum Group and AE @ National run one of the most customer friendly Companies in the Country...World !! Keep up the good work and personally I hope they don't ever change a thing.

In behalf of the many contributors of this forum let me say

THANK YOU!

Ben