cannot create a local variable/control/indicator for a foundation fieldbus VFD

[Jim12345678]

I'm creating a program to read and write data with Foundation Fieldbus devices and find myself having to go through a sequence of identify/open/configure VIs every time I want to do something.  See the FF.jpg attached with this post.  Normally, I would just go through the sequence of steps once and save whatever the output is that is needed to perform the final operation (i.e. get a value, set a value).  To do so, I would create an "indicator" of the output of the final configuration VI.  However, with the FF VIs it's not an option. If I select the output terminal and try to create a control, the option is greyed out.  Why?  Do I really need to go through a sequence of four VIs every time I want to retrieve a value?  I suspect that there is a way to do this in a more compact manner (establish connection once and then reference connection), but I haven't figured out how to do it.

[a_clucker]

Hi Jim

For future reference, we have a specific board for industrial communications: https://forums.ni.com/t5/Industrial-Communications/bd-p/260

Can you elaborate on which VI has the greyed out option to create a control? (specifically a name)

But yes, you need to call multiple VIs to configure the connection.

[ThreeLions]

Hi,

You cannot create the indicator of a link/device/VFD/block reference from the corresponding VI. Those references just used on achieving FF connection. So indicators should not be created based on our design.

However, you can create the indicator by an indirect way, creating subVI.

1. Select several VIs.

2. Browse Edit -> Create SubVI to create a subVI.

3. Find the reference indicator in the subVI.

Thanks!

Thanks!

[Jim12345678]

Encapsulating all of the steps in a sub vi is a work around and it appears that's the best option.

Thanks.