Control editor: Difference between revisions
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== Ways to open the control editor == | == Ways to open the control editor == | ||
There are | There are several ways to open the control editor: | ||
* 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 [[Front Panel]] of a [[VI]] via a controls' right-click menu option ''Advanced >> Customize...''. | * From the [[Front Panel]] of a [[VI]] via a controls' right-click menu option ''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...''. | ||
* From an existing [[Control]] or [[Control | * From an existing [[Control]] or [[Control Template]] file. | ||
== Invalid control error == | == Invalid control error == | ||
Revision as of 17:45, 8 February 2020
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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 controls, type definitions and strict type definitions. One of its key features is control customization.
Note: In this article, the term "control" is used interchangeably with "indicator".
Control customization
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 of 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 (zero coupling), type definition (logical coupling) or strict type definition (logical and visual coupling).
Ways to open the control editor
There are several ways to open the control editor:
- From the Getting Started Window via the File menu option New..., by selecting Other Files >> Custom Control.
- From the Front Panel of a VI via a controls' right-click menu option Advanced >> Customize....
- From the Front Panel of a VI via the Edit menu option Customize Control....
- From an existing Control or Control Template file.
Invalid control error
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.
Editor modes
By default the editor starts in Edit Mode, which provides the same customize options as on a front panel. To change the fundamental parts of a control, the editor must be switched into Customize Mode.
There are several ways to switch between Edit Mode and Customize Mode:
- By clicking the Change to Customize Mode and Change to Edit Mode button, respectively.
- Using the key-combination Ctrl+M to toggle between modes.
- Via the Operate menu option Change to Customize Mode and Change to Edit Mode, respectively.
- Via the Window menu option Show Parts Window (forces the editor into Customize Mode, even if the window contains more than one control).
In Customize Mode, the Control Parts window, new right-click menu options and the Import Picture to Clipboard... options become available.
Control Parts window
The Control Parts window is part of the Control Editor and appears when selecting the Window menu option Show Parts Window. It contains a picture ring control with individual parts of the control and allows changing the position and dimension of the currently selected part.
Import Picture to Clipboard...
See also
External links
- LabVIEW 2018 Help: Creating Custom Controls, Indicators, and Type Definitions
- LabVIEW 2018 Help: Creating Custom Controls and Indicators Using the New Dialog Box
- LabVIEW 2018 Help: Creating Custom Controls and Indicators from the Front Panel
- National Instruments Knowledge Base: Creating Custom Control or Indicator in LabVIEW
- LabVIEW Forum: "Create a custom control (combination of controls)"
- DMC: Basic LabVIEW UI Control Customization
- Creating Quality UIs with LabVIEW
- LabVIEW Forum: UI Interest Group