Control editor - Revision history

Logmanoriginal: /* Purpose of the control editor */ Fix superfluous "[["

2020-05-30T20:57:47Z

Purpose of the control editor: Fix superfluous "[["

← Older revision		Revision as of 20:57, 30 May 2020
Line 15:		Line 15:
	[[File:Control Editor - Examples of Visual Control Customizations.jpg\|thumb\|Examples of visual control customization on a front panel using a Push Button]]		[[File:Control Editor - Examples of Visual Control Customizations.jpg\|thumb\|Examples of visual control customization on a front panel using a Push Button]]

	The visual appearance of controls (their ''shape'', ''coloring'', ''visibility of elements'', ''font'' and ''state'') can be changed directly on the front panel of a VI. It is, however, not possible to change the [[[[Control Parts\|fundamental parts]] (''icons'', ''images'', ''relative positions'', ...). This can only be done in the control editor.		The visual appearance of controls (their ''shape'', ''coloring'', ''visibility of elements'', ''font'' and ''state'') can be changed directly on the front panel of a VI. It is, however, not possible to change the [[Control Parts\|fundamental parts]] (''icons'', ''images'', ''relative positions'', ...). This can only be done in the control editor.

	Also, the control editor allows to store controls on disk for later re-use and to specify the type of control which changes how new instances of the control are related to each other:		Also, the control editor allows to store controls on disk for later re-use and to specify the type of control which changes how new instances of the control are related to each other:
Line 23:		Line 23:

	<br clear=all>		<br clear=all>

	== Invalid Control button ==		== Invalid Control button ==
	[[File:Control Editor - Invalid Control.jpg\|thumb\|Invalid Control error in the control editor window (because it contains two controls)]]		[[File:Control Editor - Invalid Control.jpg\|thumb\|Invalid Control error in the control editor window (because it contains two controls)]]

Mefistotelis: Control Parts is now a reference

2020-05-30T19:45:27Z

Control Parts is now a reference

Logmanoriginal: Remove underconstruction

2020-03-05T07:10:32Z

Remove *underconstruction*

← Older revision		Revision as of 07:10, 5 March 2020
Line 1:		Line 1:
	~~{{Underconstruction}}~~

	''Note'': This article uses the term "control" and "indicator" interchangeably.		''Note'': This article uses the term "control" and "indicator" interchangeably.

Logmanoriginal: /* Control Parts window */ Fix typo

2020-02-22T20:45:16Z

Control Parts window: Fix typo

← Older revision		Revision as of 20:45, 22 February 2020
Line 67:		Line 67:
	[[File:Control Parts Window.jpg\|thumb\|This is the Control Parts window]]		[[File:Control Parts Window.jpg\|thumb\|This is the Control Parts window]]

	The '''Control Parts''' window appears when selecting ''Show Parts Window'' from the ''Window'' menu. It contains a picture ring with the individual parts of the current control and a input boxes to change the position and dimension of the currently selected part.		The '''Control Parts''' window appears when selecting ''Show Parts Window'' from the ''Window'' menu. It contains a picture ring with the individual parts of the current control and input boxes to change the position and dimension of the currently selected part.

	<br clear=all>		<br clear=all>

	==== Right click menu options ====		==== Right click menu options ====

Logmanoriginal: Cleanup the remaining article

2020-02-22T20:23:33Z

Cleanup the remaining article

Show changes

Logmanoriginal: Cleanup of the first part

2020-02-20T17:29:59Z

Cleanup of the first part

← Older revision		Revision as of 17:29, 20 February 2020
Line 1:		Line 1:
	{{Underconstruction}}		{{Underconstruction}}

	~~The control editor is a special kind of editor that looks and behaves like~~ the [[Front Panel]] of a [[VI]] without a [[Block Diagram]]. It may only contain a single control and can be used to create [[Control\|controls]], [[Type Definition\|type definitions]] and [[Strict Type Definition\|strict type definitions]]. One of its key features is control ~~customization~~.		''Note'': This article uses the term "control" interchangeably with "indicator".

	''~~Note~~'~~': In this article, the term "control" is used interchangeably with "indicator".~~		The '''Control editor''' provides the ability to create and modify [[Control\|controls]], [[Type Definition\|type definitions]] and [[Strict Type Definition\|strict type definitions]]. It works like a [[Front Panel\|front panel]] but it can only contain a single control and doesn't have a [[Block Diagram\|block diagram]].

	~~== Control customization ==~~
	~~[[File:Control Editor - Examples of Visual Control Customizations.jpg\|thumb\|Examples of visual control customization on a front panel using a Push Button]]~~

	Control ~~customization is the act of changing the visual appearance and logical configuration of a control either on the front panel of a VI or in the control~~ editor.

	The visual appearance of controls located on a front panel can be manipulated in their shape, coloring, visibility of elements, font and state. Depending on the type of control (button, graph, list, ...) additional options may be available. It is, however, not possible to change the fundamental parts (icons, backgrounds, locations, ...) of a control, unless it is opened in the control editor.

	~~The logical configuration (i.e. [[Array\|array]] of [[String\|strings]]) can be defined both on the front panel of a VI or in the control editor. The benefit of using the control editor is in~~ the ability to ~~store the control on disk for later re-use.~~

	~~Depending on the desired coupling, the control can be stored as~~ [[Control\|~~control~~]] ~~(zero coupling)~~, [[Type Definition\|type ~~definition~~]] ~~(logical coupling) or~~ [[Strict Type Definition\|strict type ~~definition~~]] ~~(logical~~ and ~~visual coupling)~~.

	~~<br clear=all>~~

	== Ways to open the control editor ==		== Ways to open the control editor ==

	~~There are several ways to open the~~ control editor:		The control editor can be opened in multiple ways:

	* ~~From~~ an existing [[Control]] or [[Control Template]] file.		* By opening an existing [[Control\|control]] or [[Control Template\|control template]] file.
	* From the [[Getting Started Window]] via the ''File'' menu option ''New...'', by selecting ''Other Files >> Custom Control''.		* From the [[Getting Started Window]] via the ''File'' menu option ''New...'', by selecting ''Other Files >> Custom Control''.
	* From the right-click menu of a control via ''Advanced >> Customize...''.		* From the right-click menu of a control via ''Advanced >> Customize...''.
	* From the [[Front Panel]] of a [[VI]] via the ''Edit'' menu option ''Customize Control...''.		* From the [[Front Panel]] of a [[VI]] via the ''Edit'' menu option ''Customize Control...''.

			== Purpose of the control editor ==
			[[File:Control Editor - Examples of Visual Control Customizations.jpg\|thumb\|Examples of visual control customization on a front panel using a Push Button]]

			The visual appearance of controls (their ''shape'', ''coloring'', ''visibility of elements'', ''font'' and ''state'') can be changed directly on the front panel of a VI. It is, however, not possible to change the fundamental parts (''icons'', ''images'', ''relative positions'', ...). This can only be done in the control editor.

			Also, the control editor allows to store controls on disk for later re-use and to specify the type of control which changes how new instances of the control are related to each other:
			* [[Control\|control]] (no relation)
			* [[Type Definition\|type definition]] (share logical configuration)
			* [[Strict Type Definition\|strict type definition]] (share logical configuration and visual appearance)

			<br clear=all>
	== Invalid control error ==		== Invalid control error ==
	[[File:Control Editor - Invalid Control.jpg\|thumb\|Invalid Control error in the control editor window (because it contains two controls)]]		[[File:Control Editor - Invalid Control.jpg\|thumb\|Invalid Control error in the control editor window (because it contains two controls)]]

Logmanoriginal: /* Import Picture to Clipboard... */ Add description

2020-02-15T08:49:34Z

Import Picture to Clipboard...: Add description

← Older revision		Revision as of 08:49, 15 February 2020
Line 138:		Line 138:

	==== Import Picture to Clipboard... ====		==== Import Picture to Clipboard... ====

			Opens a file dialog to select a picture that is imported to clipboard.

	== See also ==		== See also ==

Logmanoriginal: /* Right click menu options */ Add list of menu options (incomplete)

2020-02-15T08:48:46Z

Right click menu options: Add list of menu options (incomplete)

@@ Line 69: / Line 69: @@
 <br clear=all>
 ==== Right click menu options ====
 ==== Import Picture to Clipboard... ====

Logmanoriginal: /* Switching editor modes */ Rename section and reorder list

2020-02-15T07:49:23Z

Switching editor modes: Rename section and reorder list

← Older revision		Revision as of 07:49, 15 February 2020
Line 38:		Line 38:
	The control editor has two editor modes: '''Edit Mode''' and '''Customize Mode'''.		The control editor has two editor modes: '''Edit Mode''' and '''Customize Mode'''.

	=== ~~Switching editor modes~~ ===		=== Ways to switch between Edit Mode and Customize Mode ===

	There are ~~several~~ ways to switch between '''Edit Mode''' and '''Customize Mode''':		There are multiple ways to switch between '''Edit Mode''' and '''Customize Mode''':

	* ~~By clicking~~ the ''Change to Customize Mode'' and ''Change to Edit Mode'' button, respectively.		* Clicking the ''Change to Customize Mode'' and ''Change to Edit Mode'' button, respectively.
	* Using ~~the key-combination ''Ctrl+M'' to toggle between modes.~~		* Using the ''Operate'' menu option ''Change to Customize Mode'' and ''Change to Edit Mode'', respectively.
	* Via the ''Operate'' menu option ''Change to Customize Mode'' and ''Change to Edit Mode'', respectively.		* Using the ''Window'' menu option ''Show Parts Window'' (forces the editor into Customize Mode, even if the window contains more than one control).
	* ~~Via~~ the ''Window'' menu option ''Show Parts Window'' (forces the editor into Customize Mode, even if the window contains more than one control).		* The key-combination ''Ctrl+M'' is a shortcut to toggle between modes.

	=== Edit Mode ===		=== Edit Mode ===

Logmanoriginal: /* Invalid control error */ Add example for an invalid control

2020-02-15T07:45:58Z

Invalid control error: Add example for an invalid control

← Older revision		Revision as of 07:45, 15 February 2020
Line 30:		Line 30:
	[[File:Control Editor - Invalid Control.jpg\|thumb\|Invalid Control error in the control editor window (because it contains two controls)]]		[[File:Control Editor - Invalid Control.jpg\|thumb\|Invalid Control error in the control editor window (because it contains two controls)]]

	An Invalid Control button appears on the menu bar if the control is invalid. Clicking the ~~Invalid Control~~ button opens the [[Error list]] dialog ~~box~~ with further error details.		An '''Invalid Control''' button appears at the menu bar when the control is invalid, for example when more than one control is on the front panel. Clicking the button opens the [[Error list]] dialog with further error details.

	<br clear=all>		<br clear=all>

← Older revision		Revision as of 19:45, 30 May 2020
Line 15:		Line 15:
	[[File:Control Editor - Examples of Visual Control Customizations.jpg\|thumb\|Examples of visual control customization on a front panel using a Push Button]]		[[File:Control Editor - Examples of Visual Control Customizations.jpg\|thumb\|Examples of visual control customization on a front panel using a Push Button]]

	The visual appearance of controls (their ''shape'', ''coloring'', ''visibility of elements'', ''font'' and ''state'') can be changed directly on the front panel of a VI. It is, however, not possible to change the fundamental parts (''icons'', ''images'', ''relative positions'', ...). This can only be done in the control editor.		The visual appearance of controls (their ''shape'', ''coloring'', ''visibility of elements'', ''font'' and ''state'') can be changed directly on the front panel of a VI. It is, however, not possible to change the [[[[Control Parts\|fundamental parts]] (''icons'', ''images'', ''relative positions'', ...). This can only be done in the control editor.

	Also, the control editor allows to store controls on disk for later re-use and to specify the type of control which changes how new instances of the control are related to each other:		Also, the control editor allows to store controls on disk for later re-use and to specify the type of control which changes how new instances of the control are related to each other:
Line 53:		Line 53:
	[[File:Control Editor - Individual Parts of a Control 2.jpg\|thumb\|Individual parts of a control (Push Button) spread apart in the control editor]]		[[File:Control Editor - Individual Parts of a Control 2.jpg\|thumb\|Individual parts of a control (Push Button) spread apart in the control editor]]

	In '''Customize Mode''' individual parts of the control are disconnected and can be changed and relocated. Depending on the type (''button'', ''graph'', ''list'', ...) and style (''Classic'', ''Modern'', ''System'', ''Silver'', ''NXG'') of control, the number and type of parts can vary. It is therefore important to begin with the right control to get the desired flexibility. For example, the mouse hover effect is only available for controls of type ''System'', ''Silver'' and ''NXG''.		In '''Customize Mode''' individual [[Control Parts\|parts of the control]] are disconnected and can be changed and relocated. Depending on the type (''button'', ''graph'', ''list'', ...) and style (''Classic'', ''Modern'', ''System'', ''Silver'', ''NXG'') of control, the number and type of parts can vary. It is therefore important to begin with the right control to get the desired flexibility. For example, the mouse hover effect is only available for controls of type ''System'', ''Silver'' and ''NXG''.

	''Important note'': It is '''not''' possible to add or remove parts from a control. This is a limitation of LabVIEW that was fixed in NXG<sup>[''citation needed'']</sup>.		''Important note'': It is '''not''' possible to add or remove parts from a control. This is a limitation of LabVIEW that was fixed in NXG<sup>[''citation needed'']</sup>.

	Each part is surrounded by a white rectangle. Because parts are often placed on top of each other to achieve the desired visual effect, the '''Control Parts''' window allows to scroll and select specific parts. The selected part can then be changed via right-click menu options.		Each part is surrounded by a white rectangle. Because [[Control Parts\|parts]] are often placed on top of each other to achieve the desired visual effect, the '''Control Parts''' window allows to scroll and select specific parts. The selected part can then be changed via right-click menu options.

	When switching back to '''Edit Mode''', all parts keep their current (relative) position, size and visual appearance.		When switching back to '''Edit Mode''', all parts keep their current (relative) position, size and visual appearance.
Line 65:		Line 65:
	[[File:Control Parts Window.jpg\|thumb\|This is the Control Parts window]]		[[File:Control Parts Window.jpg\|thumb\|This is the Control Parts window]]

	The '''Control Parts''' window appears when selecting ''Show Parts Window'' from the ''Window'' menu. It contains a picture ring with the individual parts of the current control and input boxes to change the position and dimension of the currently selected part.		The '''Control Parts''' window appears when selecting ''Show Parts Window'' from the ''Window'' menu. It contains a picture ring with the [[Control Parts\|individual parts]] of the current control and input boxes to change the position and dimension of the currently selected part.

	<br clear=all>		<br clear=all>