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Learn useful nuggets and time-saving tricks to speed up your LabVIEW development process. Discover tools, shortcuts, and techniques to optimize your workflow and improve productivity. Presented by Dan Shangraw, a licensed LabVIEW Developer with 10 years of experience.
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ni.com/labviewzone Tips and Tricks to Speed LabVIEW DevelopmentUseful Nuggets to Save You Time
Background of Dan Shangraw, P.E. Graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering from Western Michigan University Licensed Professional Engineer State of Michigan Certified LabVIEW Developer 10 Years of Experience Developing Custom LabVIEW applications Owner of Automated Software Technology LLC.
Automated Software Technology Licensed Engineering Company that develops custom test, measurement, and control systems specializing in LabVIEW software design. Specialize in short term project from a few hours to 1 month. Part of the National Instruments Alliance Program Located in Lansing, MI
Agenda • 15 Tips and Tricks for NI LabVIEW Development • Beginner: Simple tricks to save time • Intermediate: LabVIEW tips you probably didn’t know about • Advanced: Useful nuggets to put you ahead of the game
/ 1 15 Automatically Select the Right Tool • Avoid manually switching among many tools Operate Value Tool Position/Size/Select Tool Auto Tool Edit Text Tool Connect Wire Tool
/ 2 15 Demo Switch Terminal Wires Easily Hold Down Ctrl and Left-Click on Input Terminal Note: This works only for functions with two inputs when both inputs have already been wired.
/ 3 15 Easily Scroll Through Structures • You can use Ctrl + Mouse Scroll to scroll through: • Case Structures • Event Structures • Stacked Sequence Structures • Diagram Disable Structures Ctrl + Mouse Scroll Wheel
/ 4 15 Quickly Find the Right Palette • Right-click on a block diagram object for a palette shortcut
/ 5 15 Easily Navigate Arrays • Right-click on an array and select Visible Items >> HorizontalScrollbar • To view last element, select Advanced >> Show Last Element • Both horizontal and vertical scrollbars available (depending on view)
/ 6 15 Removing Many Breakpoints • Select Edit >> Remove Breakpoints from Hierarchy
/ 7 15 Easily Add Enumeration Items • Press Ctrl while over Enum to use the Edit Text Tool • Use Shift + Enter to repeatedly add items Shift + Enter
/ 8 15 Quickly Open a VI Reference(next to current file on disk) • LabVIEW automatically searches in current directory • Right-click on VI and select Call Setup to call it dynamically Good Better Best
/ 9 15 Demo Automatically Create Control References • Simply drag a control into a Control Refnum • Automatically creates a class-specific, type-specific reference
/ 10 15 Drag and Drop to Save Time • Drag an image into your Front Panel icon • Select a file and drag into a path constant • Take a URL from Internet Explorer and drag into a string constant • Drag items from disk or Project Explorer into a LabVIEW block diagram
/ 11 15 Demo Quickly Browse Properties and Methods • View >> Class Browser • Drag a property or method directly into your VI • Shortcut: Ctrl + Shift + B
/ 12 15 Perform Advanced File I/O Tasks • New File I/O VIs in LabVIEW 8.20 Recursive File List Check If File or Folder Exists Get File Extension Compare Two Paths Generate Temporary File Path MD5 Checksum File
/ 13 15 Implement a For Loop Progress Bar • Place Progress Bar VI inside for loop • Opens automatically after a specified amount of time • Download sample code from: (http://forums.ni.com/ni/board/message?board.id=170&message.id=192115)
/ 14 15 Demo Automatically Analyze Your VIs • Tools >> VI Analyzer >> Analyze VIs • Check performance, style, UI, documentation, and more • Save VI Analyzer settings for later use
/ 15 15 Change the Windows File Dialog(to contain recently used folders in LabVIEW) • Add LabVIEW.ini token “MRUFolders = TRUE” • Maintain easy access to the last 5 directories used in LabVIEW
Other Resources • ni.com/info - Use info code “nugget” to download presentation • Weekly LabVIEW Nuggets (click here) • LabVIEW Style Guide (click here) • LAVA: Favorite Tips and Shortcuts
Experienced User LabVIEW Intermediate I LabVIEW Intermediate II Advanced User LabVIEW Advanced I Courses New User LabVIEW Basics I LabVIEW Basics II • Skills learned: • LabVIEW environment navigation • Basics of application creation using LabVIEW • Basics of data acquisition and instrument control • Skills learned: • Modular application development • Structured design and development practices • Interapplication communication and connectivity techniques • Skills learned: • Large application design • Advanced development techniques • Multideveloper project implementation • Certifications • Certified LV Associate Developer Exam • Skills tested: • LabVIEW environment knowledge • Certified LabVIEW Developer Exam • Skills tested: • LabVIEW application development expertise • Certified LabVIEW Architect Exam • Skills tested: • LabVIEW application development mastery