Control editor

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

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 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 an existing Control or Control Template file.
• 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 Front Panel of a VI via the Edit menu option Customize Control....

Invalid control error

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.

Editor modes

The control editor has two editor modes: Edit Mode and Customize Mode.

Switching editor modes

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).

Edit Mode

Edit Mode is enabled by default when opening the control editor. In this mode controls can be customized the same way as on the front panel.

Customize Mode

Individual parts of a control (Push Button)

Individual parts of a control (Push Button) spread apart in the control editor

In Customize Mode individual parts of a control become disconnected and can be changed and moved. It is, however, not possible to add or remove parts (except pictures). Depending on the type (button, graph, list, ...) and style (Classic, Modern, System, Silver, NXG) of a control, the amount and type of parts can vary. It is therefore important to select the right type and style of control to ensure that the final control works as expected.

In Customize Mode each part is displayed inside a white rectangle that surrounds the part. Because parts need to be placed on top of each other to achieve the desired visual effect, the Control Parts window is used to select individual parts. Right-click menu options and the Import Picture to Clipboard... command can then be used to change or move the currently selected part.

When switching back to Edit Mode, all parts keep their current (relative) location, size and visual representation.

Control Parts window

This is the 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.

See also

• Control
• Type Definition
• Strict Type Definition
• Control Template
• CTL File Extension
• CTT File Extension

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
• National Instruments Knowledge Base: Creating a Boolean Button with Custom Appearance
• National Instruments Knowledge Base: Customize LabVIEW Boolean Controls with Bitmap Images or GIFs
• LabVIEW Forum: Custom Button Nugget