Code Capture Tool

Introduction

The Code Capture Tool (or CCT) is a LabVIEW development tool targeted at LabVIEW users to capture images of their code and make it easier to share those images in online forums.

Main Features

• Captures of Front Panel
• Captures of Block Diagram
• Comment an Annotate your caputre
• Creation of LabVIEW Snippets in any LabVIEW version
• Save the snippet as anoter (older) version
• Upload the capture to Imgur.com and copy the URL to he clipboard (LabVIEW 2010 and later)
• Plugins for altering the image or text returned to clipboard

History

The CCT is based on an idea and earlier versions originally released by Chilly Charly on the NI Forums as starware.
Later, it evolved to a multiple OS and LabVIEW versions tool for creating code-shots and documentation shots.
A collaboration between Yair Neeman and Ton Plomp resulted in the 1.0 version of the CCT that is currently available through the LAVA CR at this site.

Version 2.0 added the possibility to add text and drawings to the captured image, while version 2.1 added an altered GUI, a border around the snippet and better key-handling. Version 2.1.2 added the option upload the image to Imgur.com and save the snippet in an older version of LabVIEW.
Version 3.2 added a plugin architecture and a new GUI layout.

Instruction

A series of videos is available at Screencast.

A short how to is in the here available

An extensive discussion and demo of the CCT is here.

Version 2.0 introduces a new option to create annotations with text and graphics and the possibility to create snippets. There is a demo-video available at Screencast.

Download

Click [vipm://lava_lib_code_capture_tool here] to download the tool using VIPM.

To check the source you can explore your <user.lib>\_Code Capture Tool folder or download it from Sourceforge.net.

Interface

The CCT offers two interfaces to make and distribute images of LabVIEW code - a user interface and an API.

GUI

The user interface of the CCT allows the user to select which parts of a Front Panel or Block Diagram should be captured. The resulting image will be stored on disc and optionally the image or the path can be copied to the OS clipboard.

Code Capture Tool user interface

Front panel settings

The Front Panel listbox supplies the following options:

Listbox	Item	Captured parts
	None	Nothing
	Selected	All selected parts and items in between
	Visible	Everything visible in the current panel view
	All	Everything on the front panel

Block diagram settings

The Block Diagram listbox supplies the following options:

Listbox	Item	Captured parts
	None	Nothing
	Selected	All selected parts and items in between
	Visible	Everything visible in the current block diagram view
	All	Everything on the block diagram

Snippet Creation

The creation of a snippet can only be done when the Block Diagram is set to selected.

The header-text of the snippet is dynamically and has the following options which are accessible with the config button:

Token	Meaning
$VERSION$	Inserts the saved LabVIEW version
$NAME$	Name of the captured VI, retrieved from the VI.VI Name property
$TITLE$	Title of the front panel of the captured VI
$IMAGENAME$	Name of image on disk without the PNG extension
$IMAGE$	Name of image on disk without the PNG extension (a duplicate of $IMAGENAME$
$DATE:xxx$	Date/Time formatter, xxx must be replaced by a valid timestring formatter

Per default the header string is LV: $VERSION$ $DATE:%c$, %c inserts the localized date.

Clipboard settings

The clipboard listbox supplies the following options:

Listbox	Item	Copied item	Remarks
	None	Nothing
	Path	Path of the captured image	Not on all platforms
	Image	The captured image	Only on Windows
	Imgur	The URL of the Imgur image	Selecting this will upload the image to Imgur.com

Additional plugins are listed here as well.

Layout settings

The Layout picture ring supplies the following layout options:

Menu Ring	Item	Description
		Front panel in top, block diagram below
		Block diagram in top, front panel below
		Front panel in left, block diagram on the right
		Block diagram in left, front panel on the right

File settings

The file settings consists of two controls, the string control to name the file (a .png extension is added to the name automatically) and a browse button to set the folder where the file should be stored. To detect which folder is currently used hover over one of the two controls and the tip-strip will show the folder.

Resetting the folder

By default the storage folder is the LabVIEW temp folder (which by default is the same as the OS temp folder), and can be changed with the browse for folder button. To revert to the temp folder use this button .

Zoom function

The zoom slider allows the user to zoom in and out on the captured image and inspect it in detail. This only affects the preview image and will not change the stored image.

Annotation/Sketch toolbars

The annotation/sketch toolbars are used to add annotations and sketches/drawings to the capture.

Drawing tools

Rectangle: Use shift to draw a square Oval: Use shift to draw a circle Line: Use shift to limit drawing to one axis (X or Y) Arrow: Use shift to limit drawing to one axis (X or Y) Free: Use this to draw irregular shapes

Drawing Styles

The style of the line can be one of 5 styles:

• Continious
• Dash
• Dot
• Dash-Dot
• Dash-Dot-Dot

Line width

The linewidth of the sketch/drawing line can be alterd as well

Line/Text color

It's possible to alter the color of the annotation (sketch or text), when editing text changing the line coler takes effect immediatly.

Text size

The font of the annotation text cannot be altered and is fixed on Arial , the size however can be altered easily.

Editing tools

	Starts editing text Use shift-enter to add anew-line Use arrow keys to move the positioning of the text around
	Use this to move the preview window around, this is the default tool of the Annotation Sketch toolbar. It does not change the captured image.
	Use this to undo the last edit on the annotation/sketch (4 steps possible), use <ctrl-z> on and  and <cmd-z> on .
	Clear the annotation layer.

Help

The help button calls the about window of the CCT including a short description of the main functions, a link to the webpage, a list of know issues and licensing info.

Capture

The capture button will capture the image, save it, copy to the clipboard, save the currently selected options for the next time and close the window. This can also be done by pressing Enter.

Clean up

The clean up button will clean up the whole BD (if 'whole' is set as BD option) or the current selection (if 'Selections' is set as BD option). This button is only visible if this option is active (correct LabVIEW version).

Key navigation

The CCT has several key shortcuts for easier access:

Key	Function
Enter	Applies the current settings and does a capture or finishes a current text edit
F1	Loads the about window centered on the help tab
F5	Refreshes the current image
Escape	Closes the CCT without performing a capture or finishes a current text/graph edit

API

The API provides an interface to the various functions of the CCT. Its palette is accessible under User.lib\Code Capture Tool.

Methods	<linkedimage> img_src=Image:CCT_GetSessions.png wikipage=Code_Capture_Tool#Create_CCT_Instance </linkedimage>	<linkedimage> img_src=Image:CCT_Capture_icon.png wikipage=Code_Capture_Tool#Capture_Image </linkedimage>	<linkedimage> img_src=Image:CCT_SaveImage.png wikipage=Code_Capture_Tool#Save_Image </linkedimage>	<linkedimage> img_src=Image:CCT_CopyToClipboard.png wikipage=Code_Capture_Tool#Copy_to_Clipboard </linkedimage>		<linkedimage> img_src=Image:CCT_CloseSession.png wikipage=Code_Capture_Tool#Destroy_CCT_Instance </linkedimage>	<linkedimage> img_src=Image:CCT_GenerateFileName.png wikipage=Code_Capture_Tool#Generate_File_Name </linkedimage>
Set properties	<linkedimage> img_src=Image:CCT_SetFP.png wikipage=Code_Capture_Tool#Set_Front_Panel_Mode </linkedimage>	<linkedimage> img_src=Image:CCT_SetBD.png wikipage=Code_Capture_Tool#Set_Block_Diagram_Mode </linkedimage>	<linkedimage> img_src=Image:CCT_SetLayout.png wikipage=Code_Capture_Tool#Set_Layout_Mode </linkedimage>	<linkedimage> img_src=Image:CCT_SetClipboard.png wikipage=Code_Capture_Tool#Set_Clipboard_Mode </linkedimage>	<linkedimage> img_src=Image:CCT_SetVI.png wikipage=Code_Capture_Tool#Set_VI_Ref </linkedimage>	<linkedimage> img_src=Image:CCT_SetFolder.png wikipage=Code_Capture_Tool#Set_Folder </linkedimage>	<linkedimage> img_src=Image:CCT_SetFileName.png wikipage=Code_Capture_Tool#Set_Filename </linkedimage>
Get properties	<linkedimage> img_src=Image:CCT_GetFP.png wikipage=Code_Capture_Tool#Get_Front_Panel_Mode </linkedimage>	<linkedimage> img_src=Image:CCT_GetBD.png wikipage=Code_Capture_Tool#Get_Block_Diagram_Mode </linkedimage>	<linkedimage> img_src=Image:CCT_GetLayout.png wikipage=Code_Capture_Tool#Get_Layout_Mode </linkedimage>	<linkedimage> img_src=Image:CCT_GetClipboard.png wikipage=Code_Capture_Tool#Get_Clipboard_Mode </linkedimage>	<linkedimage> img_src=Image:CCT_GetVI.png wikipage=Code_Capture_Tool#Get_VI_Ref </linkedimage>	<linkedimage> img_src=Image:CCT_GetFolder.png wikipage=Code_Capture_Tool#Get_Folder </linkedimage>	<linkedimage> img_src=Image:CCT_GetFileName.png wikipage=Code_Capture_Tool#Get_Filename </linkedimage>
Support	<linkedimage> img_src=Image:CCT_Support.png wikipage=Code_Capture_Tool#Support </linkedimage>		<linkedimage> img_src=Image:CCT_CaptureFP.png wikipage=Code_Capture_Tool#Capture_Front_panel </linkedimage>	<linkedimage> img_src=Image:CCT_CaptureBD.png wikipage=Code_Capture_Tool#Capture_Block_diagram </linkedimage>	<linkedimage> img_src=Image:CCT_ShowGUI.png wikipage=Code_Capture_Tool#Show_CCT_GUI </linkedimage>	<linkedimage> img_src=Image:CCT_70Container.png wikipage=Code_Capture_Tool#7.0_container_VI </linkedimage>	<linkedimage> img_src=Image:CCT_80_Container.png wikipage=Code_Capture_Tool#8.0_container_VI </linkedimage>

Methods

Methods	<linkedimage> img_src=Image:CCT_GetSessions.png wikipage=Code_Capture_Tool#Create_CCT_Instance </linkedimage>	<linkedimage> img_src=Image:CCT_Capture_icon.png wikipage=Code_Capture_Tool#Capture_Image </linkedimage>	<linkedimage> img_src=Image:CCT_SaveImage.png wikipage=Code_Capture_Tool#Save_Image </linkedimage>	<linkedimage> img_src=Image:CCT_CopyToClipboard.png wikipage=Code_Capture_Tool#Copy_to_Clipboard </linkedimage>	<linkedimage> img_src=Image:CCT_CloseSession.png wikipage=Code_Capture_Tool#Destroy_CCT_Instance </linkedimage>	<linkedimage> img_src=Image:CCT_GenerateFileName.png wikipage=Code_Capture_Tool#Generate_File_Name </linkedimage>

These VIs are used to activate methods for the CCT.

Create CCT Instance

This VI must be called for every instance of the CCT, it creates a GOOP dataspace that will contain the data of the instance. Calling this VI must be done with a valid VI reference.

Capture Image

This VI will apply the current settings and store the captured image in the CCT instance, additionally it returns the image itself.

Save Image

This VI will save the image to the path specified by a folder and filename stored in the CCT instance.

Copy to Clipboard

This VI will store the data specified by the clipboard settings to the clipboard.

Destroy CCT Instance

This VI must be called to close the CCT Instance and will free up used memory resources.

Generate File Name

This VI will generate a default filename based on the captured parts and VI name. This filename will not be stored inside the CCT session.

Set properties

Set properties	<linkedimage> img_src=Image:CCT_SetFP.png wikipage=Code_Capture_Tool#Set_Front_Panel_Mode </linkedimage>	<linkedimage> img_src=Image:CCT_SetBD.png wikipage=Code_Capture_Tool#Set_Block_Diagram_Mode </linkedimage>	<linkedimage> img_src=Image:CCT_SetLayout.png wikipage=Code_Capture_Tool#Set_Layout_Mode </linkedimage>	<linkedimage> img_src=Image:CCT_SetClipboard.png wikipage=Code_Capture_Tool#Set_Clipboard_Mode </linkedimage>	<linkedimage> img_src=Image:CCT_SetVI.png wikipage=Code_Capture_Tool#Set_VI_Ref </linkedimage>	<linkedimage> img_src=Image:CCT_SetFolder.png wikipage=Code_Capture_Tool#Set_Folder </linkedimage>	<linkedimage> img_src=Image:CCT_SetFileName.png wikipage=Code_Capture_Tool#Set_Filename </linkedimage>

These VIs are used to change properties for the CCT instance.

Set Front Panel Mode

This VI will change the current front panel capture mode.

Set Block Diagram Mode

This VI will change the current block diagram capture mode.

Set Layout Mode

This VI will change the current layout orientation.

Set Clipboard Mode

This VI will change the current clipboard mode.

Set VI Ref

This VI sets the reference of the VI that needs to be captured

Set Folder

This VI will change the folder where the images will be saved.

Set Filename

This VI will change the filename of the stored image.

Get properties

Get properties	<linkedimage> img_src=Image:CCT_GetFP.png wikipage=Code_Capture_Tool#Get_Front_Panel_Mode </linkedimage>	<linkedimage> img_src=Image:CCT_GetBD.png wikipage=Code_Capture_Tool#Get_Block_Diagram_Mode </linkedimage>	<linkedimage> img_src=Image:CCT_GetLayout.png wikipage=Code_Capture_Tool#Get_Layout_Mode </linkedimage>	<linkedimage> img_src=Image:CCT_GetClipboard.png wikipage=Code_Capture_Tool#Get_Clipboard_Mode </linkedimage>	<linkedimage> img_src=Image:CCT_GetVI.png wikipage=Code_Capture_Tool#Get_VI_Ref </linkedimage>	<linkedimage> img_src=Image:CCT_GetFolder.png wikipage=Code_Capture_Tool#Get_Folder </linkedimage>	<linkedimage> img_src=Image:CCT_GetFileName.png wikipage=Code_Capture_Tool#Get_Filename </linkedimage>

These VIs are used to retrieve properties from the CCT instance.

Get Front Panel Mode

This VI will read the current front panel capture mode.

Get Block Diagram Mode

This VI will read the current block diagram capture mode.

Get Layout Mode

This VI will read the current layout orientation.

Get Clipboard Mode

This VI will read the current clipboard mode.

Get VI Ref

This VI returns a reference to the that is currently captured in this isntance

Get Folder

This VI will read the folder where the images will be saved.

Get Filename

This VI will read the filename of the stored image.

Support

Support	<linkedimage> img_src=Image:CCT_CaptureFP.png wikipage=Code_Capture_Tool#Capture_Front_panel </linkedimage>	<linkedimage> img_src=Image:CCT_CaptureBD.png wikipage=Code_Capture_Tool#Capture_Block_diagram </linkedimage>	<linkedimage> img_src=Image:CCT_ShowGUI.png wikipage=Code_Capture_Tool#Show_CCT_GUI </linkedimage>	<linkedimage> img_src=Image:CCT_70Container.png wikipage=Code_Capture_Tool#7.0_container_VI </linkedimage>	<linkedimage> img_src=Image:CCT_80_Container.png wikipage=Code_Capture_Tool#8.0_container_VI </linkedimage>

This submenu shows additional low level functions of the CCT.

Capture Front panel

Use this VI to have direct access to the capturing of a front panel.

Capture Block diagram

Use this VI to have direct access to the capturing of a block diagram.

Show CCT GUI

Use this VI to show the user interface of the CCT.

7.0 container VI

Use this VI if you want to build a source distribution or an executable and need to make sure all dynamic VIs are included. For LabVIEW 7.0 and up.

8.0 container VI (deprecated in version 2.0)

Use this VI if you want to build a source distribution or an executable and need to make sure all dynamic VIs are included. For LabVIEW 8.0 and up, don't forget to include the 7.0 container.

Version 2.0 of the Code Capture Tool installer will automatically select the correct container VI, so an additional 8.x container isn't needed anymore.

Known issues

Description	Status
After using a non-default path and resetting it to the default, the new setting (temp) is not used	Solved in version 1.0
Installing on Linux fails due to case sensitivity	Solved in version 1.0
Capturing a non-visible part on a multi-pane front panel fails	A limitation due to the LabVIEW implementation of panes, most-likely not fixable
Saving an empty image returns an error	Solved in version 1.0
Opening the CCT from the Getting Started Window locks up LabVIEW	Solved in version 1.0
Possible High use of memory	Investigating
Impossible to capture FP of locked VI	Investigating

Version History

Version 3.2

Release date 1 februari 2013

• Altered GUI
• Added resizable User interface
• Added scroll wheel control of the image
• Added plugin feature

Version 2.1.4

Release date 2 december 2010

• Fixed bug #3121172  for locked VIs (without password protection)
  
• Added a message dialogue after the Capture button was activated
  

Version 2.1.3

Release date 29 September 2010

• Fixed a bug that didn't show the images properly on initialization

Version 2.1.2

Release date 20 September 2010

• Added Imgur.com upload
• Added 'Save for Previous Version' snippet function

Version 2.1.0

Release date 15 February 2010

• Added a border around a snippet
• Altered GUI (Preview window is bigger)
• Better key handling with text annotation, support for HOME and END.
• Movement of text annotation with ctrl-left, ctrl-right, up and down
• Movement in a text annotation with left and right

Version 2.0.5

Release date 28 November 2009

• Bugfix release for bug 2905411.

Version 2.0.0

Release date 24 November 2009

• Support for VI snippet creation
• Support for adding comments and drawings

Version 1.0.0

Release date 27 February 2008

• Bug-fixes
• Support for panning of the preview

Version 0.9.1

Release date 7 November 2007

• Support for LabVIEW 7.x and up
• Support for all OS'es
• Support for orientation
• Support for selection
• Support for customized naming
• Support for customized folder

Licensing

The CCT is licensed under the BSD license