Group Icons on Block Diagram

[SouthPaw101]

When using a Tab Control (Container) it would really be great to group icons so they do not float around the large container if used in combination with a case statement.  Being able to group icons and anchor them at a location would really make life allot easier.  This grouping should not alter position or arrangement during a clean-up operation.

Thanks!!

[RavensFan]

A tab control is someting that exists on the front panel.  Your subject line talks about icons on the block diagram.

Please add to your post clarifying what you want.  And search the Idea Exchange first, because the idea of group icons on the block diagram sounds like an idea I had already read about before.

EDIT:  Here is the idea that sounds like what your subject line describes.

Add a "structure" that does not affect compilation, but lets you group objects on the block diagram...

[SouthPaw101]

I created a program with a CASE statement that linked to the TAB control.  The CASE statement auto-sized to the size of the TAB control.  My icons in the CASE statememt floated around as I worked or auto-arranged.  I wanted the structure of my code to look nice, but not have to search across a huge CASE statement to find the code.  Latter I dicovered I could make statement smaller, but not until completing the project.  Being able to "Group" block diagram icons and anchor the groups in a fix place could make life much easier.  I have seen this sugestion elsewhere in online discussion groups so I think that would be a favorable improvement.

Thanks, 

[AristosQueue (NI)]

> The CASE statement auto-sized to the size of the TAB control.

A case structure on the block diagram autosizes to the size of a tab control on the front panel? Not possible.

Perhaps you could post a picture to explain what you're hoping to see changed? I honestly do not understand what you are requesting. There's nothing in LV that I know of that mixes layout between panel and diagram.

[SouthPaw101]

Hello AristosQueue,

I went back and worked with the case statement attached to the Tab Control and you are right, it can be re-sized smaller.  I should have done this in the beginning.  Thank you for the feedback.  It would still be great to be able to control arrangement of icons as a group that is ignored by clean-up command and this group could be anchored to a location when working.  This would make life easier as ounce code is arranged, it would be left untouched during clean-up command.  People thoughts are often linked to the structural layout of code in LV.  It is after all a "graphical language".  Thanks for considering.

[AristosQueue (NI)]

> icons as a group that is ignored by clean-up command

You can do this. Put any structure node around them -- the flat sequence structure, for example for minimal impact on code -- and right click on it and say "Exclude From Cleanup."

[SouthPaw101]

I see the option.  Thank you for telling me about this.  I will definitely use this in the future.  Thanks!!

[AristosQueue (NI)]

No problem.

Does that address your request fully or is there some reason to leave this idea open?

[SouthPaw101]

Yes - You helped me understand how to layout code correctly.  Please remove this from "Idea Listing".  Thank you for the help!!  Thanks!!

[AristosQueue (NI)]

Glad to be of service. 🙂

[Darren]

Functionality already available by wrapping code in a Flat Sequence Structure and selecting "Exclude from Diagram Cleanup" on the structure