topic Re: caliing My Computer in LabVIEW in LabVIEW

caliing My Computer in LabVIEW

Somil — Mon, 21 Sep 2009 10:45:40 GMT

Hi,

By using ActiveX, i can use windows media player in LabVIEW. Is there any function in ActiveX or any other pallete which can be used to explore "My Computer "

By using LIST FILES vi, i can view the folders and files of a drive. But i want some other way

Re: caliing My Computer in LabVIEW

NitinD — Mon, 21 Sep 2009 11:49:28 GMT

Hi Somil,

Please see if this helps.

Regards,

Nitin

Re: caliing My Computer in LabVIEW

NitinD — Mon, 21 Sep 2009 11:50:45 GMT

~~Hi Somil,~~

~~Please see if this helps.~~

~~Regards,~~

~~Nitin~~

Apologies. I dunno how it got posted twice

Message Edited by NitinD on 21-09-2009 05:20 PM

Re: caliing My Computer in LabVIEW

Rob_F1 — Mon, 21 Sep 2009 12:17:14 GMT

The file path control has the Browse button to the right of it. You can set the browse properties to start in any folder desired.

Re: caliing My Computer in LabVIEW

Somil — Tue, 22 Sep 2009 02:45:59 GMT

I think this one is just for selecting some particular file.

See this vi which i have made.

First it will show the drives on your PC, then start entering the path of the drive you want to explore.

I wanted something like "MY COMPUTER" . Just by clicking he folder/file, we can explore.

Check this

Re: caliing My Computer in LabVIEW

Dennis_Knutson — Tue, 22 Sep 2009 03:11:45 GMT

Could you explain what the file dialog in LabVIEW (image below) does not show/do that is different from using windows explorer? Your code does not make any sense to me. It looks like you are replacing the normal file/folder browse functions with code of your creation. It's seems you are going out of your way to reinvent the wheel.

Re: caliing My Computer in LabVIEW

Somil — Tue, 22 Sep 2009 03:26:00 GMT

Ya, reinventing the wheel using pure LabVIEW

Re: caliing My Computer in LabVIEW

Dennis_Knutson — Tue, 22 Sep 2009 03:59:09 GMT

Post your code directly to the Rube Goldberg thread.

Re: caliing My Computer in LabVIEW

Somil — Tue, 22 Sep 2009 04:16:04 GMT

I am not cracking jokes here!!!!

If you have any answer to the question, answer it or otherwise just click on the cross button on the top right corner

Re: caliing My Computer in LabVIEW

RavensFan — Tue, 22 Sep 2009 04:22:53 GMT

What is the question?

You are looking for a way of browsing for files that isn't one of the perfectly good methods already suggested to you? So you are looking for an even more complicated way?

Dennis isn't making a joke. He is actually helping you saying you are wasting your time. He is an expert LV user and he would know more than anyone that what you are trying to do is a whole lot of work for no benefit over any of the methods already proposed.

Re: caliing My Computer in LabVIEW

Somil — Tue, 22 Sep 2009 04:37:57 GMT

My question is very simple.

This code was posted to show you what i did and i actually want it to be modified. Not for posting on some Rube Goldberg thread which your dear friend suggested!!!

My question is that is there any way of browsing the files from within the labVIEW? Now here you will suggest me to use PATH CONTROL.

But i dont want that. i want a small window in which i can view the files as in windows explorer.

As in ActiveX, windows media player can be called, but there is an alternate way to play files in labVIEW. Likewise, i want here too

Re: caliing My Computer in LabVIEW

Ray.R — Tue, 22 Sep 2009 12:03:00 GMT

Have you ever programmed before? in any language?

People are giving you the answer. Stop bickering and being an idiot and listen to people's advice.

Yes you can do something similar to Windows Explorer using LabVIEW. You can do it 2 ways..

Method 1:

The easy and suggested way is to use the path control. You use it to select the path.

Afterwards, you use a function to provide a list of folders and files within the the path provided. You can build an array of files and an array of folders.

You can then format the way you want to display it to a text box, table or whichever format of your selection (available from within LabVIEW).

This method will provide you with a list if folders and files that you can manipulate with your code.

Method 2:

You can call up Windows Explorer using ActiveX controls. I have never used this method, but you will need somemethod of browsing, probably using Windoze Explorer directly. Then, using ActiveX, you can probably obtain a list of files and folders that you can use within LabVIEW. You can do a search within this forum on how to use ActiveX and where to find the methods needed to "talk to" Explorer.

What was missing from the information that you provided is why do you want it done in such a way. The more information that you provide, the more help you will get. Flaming others will only result in criquet sounds coming from you PC's speakers.

Re: caliing My Computer in LabVIEW

Ray.R — Tue, 22 Sep 2009 13:58:23 GMT

After looking at your code, here are a few comments at where to first clean it.

1. Remove Flat Sequence Structures.

2. Why do you have a while loop? Is it to run the program until you press the stop button? If so, you should change the architecture. As a matter of fact, what you want to do is create a function (sub-VI)that populates the drive letter, filenames & folders.

3. What do you want to do with the case structure by asking if you want to explore further? What is the purpose of this?

4. There is no need for the Express VI to prompt user for input. What was your purpose for this?

That's a start...

Re: caliing My Computer in LabVIEW

Dennis_Knutson — Tue, 22 Sep 2009 14:13:19 GMT

You are cracking jokes when you respond with "Ya, reinventing the wheel using pure LabVIEW " instead of answering the perfectly legitimate question I asked.

Re: caliing My Computer in LabVIEW

altenbach — Tue, 22 Sep 2009 15:18:42 GMT

Dennis Knutson wrote:
Could you explain what the file dialog in LabVIEW (image below) does not show/do that is different from using windows explorer?

The question of the OP is legitimate. It would be great to be able to embed parts of a a file dialog (such as the nice list with all the fancy device icons) directly into the FP. Most likely, it is possible with active X, but I tend to stay away from it, so I don't have much experience.

For example, a useful application would be a file dialog replacement that has a data preview window on the right that let's me see the spectrum of the highlighted data file without the need of opening it. (some graphics programs have something similar). While it is possible to get close with tree controls and listboxes, it is not quite the same as a native file view control in look and feel. 🙂

Re: caliing My Computer in LabVIEW

Dennis_Knutson — Tue, 22 Sep 2009 15:22:35 GMT

So he wanted the window embedded in the front panel? I sure did not get that from his post but yes, that would be a nice feature.

Re: caliing My Computer in LabVIEW

altenbach — Tue, 22 Sep 2009 15:40:20 GMT

Dennis Knutson wrote:
I sure did not get that from his post ....

No, I did not get that either. The post just jogged my memory about something I wanted to do many years ago. 😉

Re: caliing My Computer in LabVIEW

Coq_Rouge — Tue, 22 Sep 2009 15:40:37 GMT

Alternate wrote:

I browsed through the standard windows XP activeX functions, but I could not find active version of the explorer. Does the explorer exist in an activeX version?

Re: caliing My Computer in LabVIEW

altenbach — Tue, 22 Sep 2009 15:44:38 GMT

Coq Rouge wrote:
I browsed through the standard windows XP activeX functions, but I could not find active version of the explorer. Does the explorer exist in an activeX version?

I really don't know. However it might be possible to use the web browser with e.g. "c:\" as URL. I have not tried.

Re: caliing My Computer in LabVIEW

Coq_Rouge — Tue, 22 Sep 2009 15:58:52 GMT

altenbach wrote:
Coq Rouge wrote:
I browsed through the standard windows XP activeX functions, but I could not find active version of the explorer. Does the explorer exist in an activeX version?
I really don't know. However it might be possible to use the web browser with e.g. "c:\" as URL. I have not tried.

Yes it did work

Here is a link for the OP to a simple IE explorer in Labview

http://decibel.ni.com/content/docs/DOC-2042