Hierarchy as VI

[x@no.mail]

I would like to use the hierarchy window as a 'draft' for a VI where the
user can make more VI visible (even in exe mode)

Any hints how to do this?

Thanks alot
Urs Bogli

[Labviewguru]

Urs,

Please elaborate on what you wanting to do.

Thanks

[x@no.mail]

more precisely:

When development is finished I would like to open the main VI only to
the user, but I would like to give him the opportunity to open a few
subVIs to change some parameters or watch some details. So I would like
to have a push button on the main VI which opens another VI where I can
open (=make visblethe the already running) subVIs. I think this could be
done with some attributes. Somehow the hierarhy windows does more or
less what I need, besides the fact I cannot make a selection there of
what is shown and what not. Is there a possibility to 'copy and paste'
the hierarchy window, deleting the VI symbols I do not want to show and
run this as a subVI of my main?
I hope that's more understandable than my first message....

Best Regards

Urs Bogli

[Labviewguru]

Urs,

I cannot see why you would want the user to have direct access to the subVIs you created. I would handle it in a different manner, if it were me.

Allow me to explain:

If the user is to have access to subVIs, I would create a separate interface, either on the main panel, or as a subVI Dialog/User Interface to those functions. This architecture allows greater flexibility, while at the same time restricting the user to only those parameters which you want to show.

The user would call, by button on the main panel, a parameters 'page' or 'monitor' depending on their intent. This call would then open a subVI, which would communciate directly to the function in question.

However; if in fact you want users to have direct access
to these subVIs, then I would, as suggested, somehow control their appearance with a cluster of booleans, a listbox, or whatever type of control you find to be most suitable. If your VIs have sufficient icons as to allow you to place those icon as buttons, then you can either use a picture ring, or import the icons into booleans.

The VI Hierarchy window is pretty useless for what want to accomplish. It is meant for development-time editing and viewing of functions in your application, not as a run-time tool. As such, it's functionality is not available during runtime, although you could mimic it's interface and functionality with a heck of a lot of work.

Please let us know how you solve this problem.

Good luck

[x@no.mail]

Hi guru,

this project has a structure similar to the way microprossesor firmware is
programmed . The main VI does some data collecting (with the help of some
subVI) . The project is a sensor calibration machine which does control a
process, collect data and calculate some parametersand. There are a couple
of SubVIs to control the process / log data / ..... which have lots of
parameters. To some (intelligent) user with no labView knwledge should get
the possibility to change these parameters, to adjust for other sensors or
process changes.

Labviewguru schrieb:

> If the user is to have access to subVIs, I would create a separate
> interface, either on the main panel, or as a subVI Dialog/User
> Interface to those functions. This
architecture allows greater
> flexibility, while at the same time restricting the user to only those
> parameters which you want to show.
>

Doesn't this mean I need additional VIs and additional dataflow etc ??

> The VI Hierarchy window is pretty useless for what want to accomplish.

But the hierarchy window does what I need, it shows icons and when I click
them it opens the VI.
I just wonder whether it is not possible
to copy some of the icons incl there functionality
to another VI which could be referenced as VI opener control buuton on the
main panel.

Thanks for the ideas
Urs Bogli

[Labviewguru]

Urs,

As I indicated, there is no way to use the hierarchy window or its functionality in runtime. You will have to fake the system out in order to do this. Yes, this means additional work on your part.

To keep it as simple as possible, you could take the icon for the subVI you want, and import it onto a boolean using the control editor. Then place the button down, and connect it to some simple VI Server code that opens the front panel. Then, if you set the subVI up right, all the user does is close the panel when done. You won't get any other functionality (as in from the hierarchy window) this way, but you will get what you need.

Good luck

[JeanPierre]

Urs,
I would simply put a list of VIs in a listbox and open with VI Server the VI on which the user double-clicks. See on my webpage http://cybertechs.qc.ca/~jpdrolet/labview/ the example "Clicked Array Element" to see how it can be achieved. However the VI uses advanced GUI techniques... probably the listbox can suffice to your needs.