How to update a cluster control?

[mooseo]

I'm sure this is an easy question, but I've been banging my head on it without finding the answer in the forums... I'm just getting used to using clusters instead of local variables.

I'm looking to update a cluster control from within my program (in this case, to update a time control with the next time it is supposed to do an operation)... In general,  taking the new value and bundling by name does what I want it to do, except that the control on the front panel doesn't update. If I do the same thing with a local variable, it works fine. I guess I could have a separate indicator, but that seems to just be adding something else to my front panel. The user should never need to touch this control, but might want to see when the next operation will occur.

Thanks for any suggestions.
mike

[Dragon64]

Front panel controls are "Input Only" devices, and indicators are "Output Only" devices. Their appearances are slightly different but in one you can just input data and the other just show data. The only way to make them "bidirectional" is the Local Variable linked to them. I hope this can answer your question, if you need more help, we would need some ilustration (at least part of your vi) in order to know what exactly you need.

[Pnt]

As it is been said , use a local variable.

If your cluster conteins a very big array, you should use a reference to the control and a property node.

This way you will not have a data copy (local variable)