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A Bridge (of the Enterprise) Too Far

11/9/2022

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User interface design has to balance a number of competing goals, mainly:
  • Functionality
  • Responsiveness
  • Aesthetics

That was  the case with this project for an in-vehicle data collection system. The interface was a touch screen that requires input from the same person driving the vehicle. It was very important that the interface be simple and easy to understand and fast to work with, to keep the driver's eyes on the road.

We started with a typical LabVIEW interface. It worked, but it was a bit boring. It also suffered from being difficult to see. The gray background did not provide much contrast while day driving.
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Getting Started with Object-Oriented Programming in LabVIEW

8/3/2020

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LabVIEW is a great language. What could make it better? Objects.

Object-oriented programming adds a dimension to LabVIEW that can help bring order to your program and keep that order as it grows. If you have used OO in other languages, most of the principles are still in place. If it is a new concept, don't let that keep you from harnessing the power of objects to improve your LabVIEW code.
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There is a learning curve, of course. But it is well worth it.
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Choosing a LabVIEW Framework

7/24/2020

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A framework is a set of code, strategies, and programming techniques that serve as a starting point for a program. Like the framework of a building, it provides the basic structure. You can then build the details of your application around that basic structure.
A framework provides some boiler plate code, saving time by giving you a jump start at development.

​It also standardizes the programming style, making it easier to read code from other developers. It is especially helpful in a team environment to have everyone on the team coding with similar styles and techniques.
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LabVIEW Tips and Tricks

7/21/2020

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The current pandemic has stopped us from meeting for a LabVIEW Developer Days this year. So this seems like a good time to look back at some of the presentations from last year.

​This is a short video of a 7x7 presentation given by Stuart Wilson, one of the senior LabVIEW developers at S5 Solutions.
This video is on the Seattle LabVIEW Youtube channel that is dedicated to the presentations from the 2019 event. Let's hope next year we are back face to face.
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LabVIEW in Meatspace

6/22/2020

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This is a presentation we did at the CLA Summit a few years ago. Using a 3-D printer, we made physical LabVIEW icons.

​We then did the most groan-inducing pun-based routine we could conceive of, then gave away the icons in an blatant attempt to bribe people into voting for our presentation.

​This might be the most fun I ever had at the CLA Summit.

You can see more details and download the STLs to print your own here.
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LabVIEW Background Image

6/22/2020

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Here is an easy way to dress up a VI with a background image.

It isn't intuitive or easy to find, but it is simple:
  1. Right click on the vertical scrollbar of your VI
  2. Select "Properties"
  3. Choose your image
  4. Consider using a tile-ready image
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Be aware that a custom image is stored as part of the VI, so your VI can grow in size quickly if you use a big image.

Click Read More to watch the demo video.

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VI Week Online Event

5/12/2020

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With the cancellation of this year's NI Week, the community has risen to the challenge and created an online event called "VI Week".
See the kickoff email and agenda.
Check out the VI Week landing page.
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Ending Well

5/8/2020

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A good rule to remember when designing a user interface is to do things in standard ways whenever possible.
​
For example, if you want to close a program in Windows, you click the X button in the upper right-hand corner of the window. 
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Most LabVIEW apps have a tell-tale “Stop” or “Done” button. That always bugs me. Why shouldn’t a LabVIEW program end the same way any other Windows program ends?
​

They should. ​Here’s how to close your program the right way.

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Better LabVIEW Listbox Icons

5/8/2020

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​The standard LabVIEW listbox control has very archaic icons. So I made some improvements. You can use this control as a direct replacement for the standard control, but it looks a lot better.

This takes advantage of the properties for the listbox to load your own custom graphics.
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listboxicons2.0.vi
File Size: 32 kb
File Type: vi
Download File

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BETTER LabVIEW MULTICOLUMN LISTBOX ICONS

5/8/2020

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Previously, I posted a listbox control with improved icons. Some have asked if it can be used for multicolumn listboxes, too. Well, yes it can. And here it is.
​
(Actually, you can just use the listbox control. Right click and select Replace. Replace it with a multicolumn listbox. The new multicolumn box will maintain the improved icons.)
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multicolumlistboxicons2.0.vi
File Size: 32 kb
File Type: vi
Download File

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  • Solutions
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