Copy and Paste-Replace

[Elijah_K]

This is just an idea I had while working on a simple application.  I often find myself wanting to replace multiple objects on a block diagram in a repititive manner.  As an example, I have an application that uses a queue requiring an enumerated value as an input - when I started the application I didn't use a type definition, but I (of course) quickly arrived at a point where I needed to replace all of my constants with a type definition.

Right now I have a few options:

1) Delete the type definition and drop a new one down and wire it up

2) Right-click and select 'replace' and point it to the ctl file

both of which take a considerable amount of time to do over and over again.

Here's my idea...  I create the type definition once, and press CTRL+C while it's highlighted on the block diagram.  Then I select one (or multiple) items that I want to replace with this type definition and when I press CTRL+P it automatically replaces and wires the item in the copy buffer.

It's hard to illustrate, but I just wanted to throw it out there to see if anyone likes the idea.

[Darren]

Assuming the typedef is in an open project, you can use Quick Drop Replace to replace multiple selected diagram objects with the new typedef.

[jcarmody]

Kind of like the way it works on the Front Panel, right?  Except that uses CTRL+V.

[G-Money]

If it was just a keyboard shortcut to replace Block Diagram objects with another (Ctl+C object you want to replace with, then select the object you want to replace and hit Ctl+V, and it will be replaced and wired up) would be pretty powerful. I don't know how much work would be involved and it would definitely take longer to paste but I think the idea is more elegant than a right-click menu. Darren is right that you can do it with a couple of keyboard strokes using Quick Drop and that works great but this would cut the number of steps down. I like it.

[Darren]

I like the idea, too. I was pointing out a workaround that can help today.  But I have often desired the ability to Paste-Replace on the diagram like I can on the panel.  Kudos.

[AlexAAuck]

I just want to add my small voice behind this with an additional behaviour.

If I have a VI in my clipboard (via ctrl-x or ctrl-c) I want to be able to select a wire (or wires) and hit ctrl-shift-v to paste it into the wire line. Or, even just have the decent ctrl-v behaviour insert into wires.

[shb]

Similar idea: Drag & drop to replace