Consolidating buttons on the Block Diagram?

[chuggins1434]

Hello one and all... I have a question that I hope isn't too obious.  In my block diagram I have about 35 inputs (mix of boolean and number values, labled "Frontend Controls") they are all bundled into a single wire.  Is there a way to consolidate all of those buttons & bundler down into a single icon?  Tried a "subVI", but that wants to leave inputs for each button/slider/etc which is not possible.  I'm sure there's a simple solution, but I'm not aware of it.   I've attached a screen shot for reference...

Similarly, I would like to reduce the size of the "Visablity Controls" area as well.

A point in the right direction would be greatly appreciated!

TIA!

Chad

[Sam_Sharp]

You could just turn the RR Frontend Controls type definition/cluster into a control? If you make it a strict type definition, then it will keep the same layout/appearance.

For setting the visible/not visible property on multiple controls - I have a SubVI which takes an array of control references and can set the Visible property to true/false on the entire array (just a for loop inside) - if you choose which items should be visible in advance you can use two calls of a similar SubVI - one to set visible to true and one to set visible to false on multiple controls at a time. A good way to manage this is to bundle the control references into a cluster and you can then unbundle the ones you want, build an array of the controls you want to make visible and then wire that into the SubVI. (I'm not sure I've explained this very clearly...too much coffee today! If it doesn't make sense then I'll elaborate!)

[chuggins1434]

Ok, let's start with the frontend controls first... Currently I have the "RR Frontend Controls.ctl (non-strict)" as hidden... I've attached a second pic with it shown in the Navigation screen, it runs down the right side of the screen.   If I make that a strict control will it not make it  display as i have it in the long window and not as I have it on my current Front Panel?

[Sam_Sharp]

If you make it a strict type definition, it preserves the style/formatting of the cluster as well as the structure/definition of the data contained within it. If you make a cluster, you can drag your current controls into it and create the strict type definition from that (to save you re-doing your UI), or open your existing type definition and copy+paste all of your UI controls into it.