Allow Panel Background Color to be Transparent

[TheQ]

I would like to have the ability to make a Front Panel background transparent without making the whole window transparent (where the later is currently possible through property nodes).  This one item would expand the UI possibilities.  It would allow for the creation of Front Panels that seem to be borderless similar to many splash screens, about screens, and gadgets.  Below are some industry examples:

Adobe Splash Screen (No border, has shadow, not square)

  Microsoft Word 2010 Splash Screen (No border, rounded corners)

 Resource Meter Windows Gadget (No border, specialized graphic)

Windows Media Center Gadget (Empty-transparent space between two UI elements)

[TheQ]

Well, my particular use case, or what prompted me to put in this Idea, started due to creating a menu system for a customer on a touch screen system.  I was updating a diagnostic system from an older system written in VB/C++ for Windows XP without a touch screen, to a tablet computer with Windows 7 and LabVIEW.  The customer requested that the new menu bar have the same menu items and organization as the original to reduce training and rewriting of work instructions but optimized such that the buttons were big enough for touch activation.

I created the new menu bar with the use of a Tab Control for the menus, buttons for the menu items, and popup subVIs for the submenus (the use of the popup was to save screen real estate).  I wanted the popup submenus to have the blended drop shadow look like the windows have in Windows 7.  Initially I left the submenus resizable to keep the Windows 7 border with its drop shadow.  This wasn't ideal because I had no way to keep a user from resizing the submenu.   When changing the front panel to not be resizable the border and drop shadow disappear.  I couldn't find a way to get the look I want and ended up just making it flat.

I know that this isn't a particularly strong use case because the flat look is going to work but why limit creativity.  If I wanted my dialog boxes to have rounded corners with drop shadows without title bar or resizability, or use a fancy PNG with transparency as the background image on my panel, that would open up the possibility for many applications.  Then we could write many types of programs in LabVIEW without have the standard LabVIEW look and feel.  We could create UIs with more of the mobile app look and feel people are getting used to.

[lvABC]

TheQ, This is not a solution, but I have used in past to create Transparent Window. It was created from NI-Community code. Hope it helps! I can’t upload here, so providing you link. https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/78074926/Transparent%20Window.zip

[TheQ]

lvABC, thank you for the zip file.  That is the same workaround we have been discussing. The link provided by X above leads to the same thing.  You can access my slightly modified version along with my test VIs from the UI Interest Group on the NI Community page here.

[lvABC]

TheQ, I noticed that I update the post, my bad. I was viewing it on my phone and read some comments, so didn’t read all of them. Thanks, -lvABC

[joaopam]

I approve this idea, speacially because some screens would be better designed without a background. I don't have much to add, but I think that NI should pay attention at this. 

I don't know how the others LV developers work around design, but if you follow some trends (like the current - flat designs), you'll need additional tools. 

Kudos.

[MichaelAivaliotis]

"Well, my particular use case.."

Thanks TheQ for explaining your use-case.

[lmtis]

I have use case.  I would like to make a widget that the production manager or QC manager could keep open in the corner of their monitor.  This widget would continuosly scroll through various real time production metrics.  I am working on the guts of this, but a sexy UI rather than the traditional rectangle would be great.

[ThamS]

My use case is to provide Floating Number as Notification Count Down for user preparation. 

 

Works Nicely in LabVIEW 2021

https://forums.ni.com/t5/UI-Interest-Group-Discussions/How-do-you-make-the-front-panel-transparent-b...