how to create graphics in labview?

[Amit Darwhekar]

Dear All,

I'm a graduate student at University of Alabama at Birmingham, AL. I'm working on a project in which I have to design experiments for the undergraduate students to introduce them with the LabVIEW software. In one of the experiments I want to simulate tank level  control application in LabVIEW. For this application I need pictures of tank, pump, pipes, etc.

I would appreciate if anybody could guide me about how to create such graphics in LabVIEW.

Regards,

Amit Darwhekar

Birmingham, AL

[intvsteve]

Which version of LabVIEW are you using? I believe there are some basic tank - style controls and indicators built-in. Some versions (with LabVIEW DSC Module) add pumps and valves.

In any case, you can import graphics into a LV panel to make more specialized controls. LabVIEW also has a limited set of built-in decorations, but these are not active parts of a control, usually.

Take a look at the information about customizing controls via the Control Editor and the Tank Simulation example (if you haven't already 🙂 to see if some of the built-in features are sufficient.

[Amit Darwhekar]

Dear Mr. Steve,

I'm using LabVIEW version 8.2. After your suggestion, I looked at the tank simulation example  but could not figure out how they have simulated the tank. Also, when I observed  VI block diagram for the tank simulation VI, I found that they have used different blocks as TF and DBL. I would appreciate if you could guide me about the functionality of these blocks.

 Thank you for your prompt response to my last post. I highly appreciate your help and kind consideration.

Regards,

Amit

[Dennis_Knutson]

A tank control indicator is just a fancy looking numeric like the various slides or the thermometer control on the numeric palette. The fill options is set to fill to minimum. The valve and heater controls are just Booleans so they are set with a True/False. Before you start with students, maybe you want to start yourself at http://zone.ni.com/devzone/cda/tut/p/id/5054.

[Chris_Cilino]

Amit,

Here are some other great links to help get you on your way.

LabVIEW Introduction Course - Three Hours

LabVIEW Introduction Course - Six Hours

Creating Custom Controls, Indicators, and Type Definitions

Hopefully you'll find this information helpful, but post back if you'd like more help.

Chris C

[AnalogKid2DigitalMan]

Here's a little known nugget that ships with LabVIEW 8.2:

Double click on SymFac1.exe in this folder:

C:\Program Files\National Instruments\Shared\Graphics

Select a Category, select a graphic, and copy then paste in your front panel.

Sweet!

[Evan]

I believe the SymFac1.exe is installed with DSC, not with basic LabVIEW.

[AnalogKid2DigitalMan]

Evan:

What is DSC? I did not see anything under Start/NI that fits. I am running Professional.

Thanks

-Pete

Edit: DSC= Datalogging and Supervisory Control Module. I could not find this package on my PC.

Message Edited by AnalogKid2DigitalMan on 03-05-2007 09:36 AM

[Evan]

As far as I can tell you need either lookout or DSC to have the image navigator on your system.  So Pete, is there a chance you have either?  Check Add\Remove programs or MAX to see if the software is installed.

[AnalogKid2DigitalMan]

Neither one is installed nor do they show up in MAX or Add/Remove Programs. The navigator shows up on 2 PC's installed with 8.2 Professional, these were both clean installs (1st time any N I software was loaded onto them). If it's not supposed to be there, then I must be mistaken!