Well, I though about the alpha channel, but I don't really think that having partially transparent icon on the block diagram really brings anything to the table.
I can't even imagine a use case (someone could prove me wrong there) where I would want to partially "see trough" part of a SubVI icon to see what is behind.
I guess now that I think more about it, I can imagine such a use case (for example a drop shadow, or an antialias edges).
So, ya, 32-bit is actually a good idea (although I would settle for 24-bit).
To clarify, I am not only asking to have the icon editor to handle 24/32-bit images, I want the SubVI icons visible on the block diagram to also be rendered in 24/32-bit (instead of just 8-bit [256 colors] like it is now).
Moderator: Please feel free to copy that last sentence above in the main post below the icon editor image.
Correct me if I'm wrong, but isn't this implemented in LV2009+?
You're wrong.
PJM has done an insane amount of work on a better Icon Editor, so he could answer this question better than I could. 24 bit images can be added to layers in the new Icon Editor, and they will properly be stored with the "icon meta data" portion of the VI (I don't know the correct terminology). However, the full color depth is not rendered on block diagrams or on the VI's icon in the toolbar. So, the full 24-bit information is properly stored in the new Icon format, but it's only rendered with 256 color depth.
A 24-bit icon would display fonts that use subpixeling correctly. That means I can fit more text or clearer text on the VI icon.
The use of subpixeling in combination with gradient can make a really nice icon. The capabilities are all there in the new icon editor API, but why is the icon not displayed in 24-bit?
