Detailed index in array

[Mikael.Peterson]

Hi!

I have made a VI to control a relay card and the relay settings (eight relays - on/off) is specified in a array of booleans; row one is the first setting for the eight relays (eight columns one for each relay) and the corresponding numeric control gives the time in second for this specific relay setting. Row two will be executed when row one is finished, then row three and so on. A user came with the suggestion; when he has several settings - as much as 40 settings/rows - it is hard for him to navigate in the array when he wants to make changes. He suggested that I add a number to each row and also if possible have different markers on each column (for example different lamp colors for each column). I have attached a photo to show you what I mean.

My only idea is to use lables but I find it hard to achieve this in a generic and dynamic fashion.

I'm thankful for any suggestions or solutions!

Best regards

-Mikael Peterson

[nyc_(is_out_of_here)]

I would create a cluster consisting of a numeric control and an array with 8 boolean controls. Then put this custom cluster into an array.

It may not be as fancy as what your user wants but it will be clear with row is which.

[Mikael.Peterson]

Thanks for your reply! Clusters sounds really nice, I was trying to find something like that but I didn't realize that it was the cluster functionality that I was looking for. It will be very helpful.

The idea is to use the numeric controller on the right to browse trough a series of settings/rows. The chosen setting is visualized by diming out all off relays (for example; step 2 is shown in the image). But when setting up a 40 step program I want them to use the boolean controller since the user(s) - who are not that familiar with the concept of arrays (infact they hate it 🙂 - need a simple way to setup several steps and get a quick overview. They rejected one of my first versions which had a similar approach to the one you'r suggesting with index controllers etc.

So if anyone has an other idea I would be glad to hear it.

[nyc_(is_out_of_here)]

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@Mikael.Peterson wrote:

The idea is to use the numeric controller on the right to browse trough a series of settings/rows. The chosen setting is visualized by diming out all off relays (for example; step 2 is shown in the image). But when setting up a 40 step program I want them to use the boolean controller since the user(s) - who are not that familiar with the concept of arrays (infact they hate it 🙂 - need a simple way to setup several steps and get a quick overview. They rejected one of my first versions which had a similar approach to the one you'r suggesting with index controllers etc.

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I am not sure I understand what you are wanting.

[Mikael.Peterson]

I would like to have numbers numerating each row and column in the Boolean control (8 x #steps array of green lamps (its not an indicator)) like I've indicated in the image I've attached to my first message. The user will be able to change the number of rows shown in the array by changing the # steps-controller in runtime. When having more than 40 rows, i.e.., 40 relay settings, the array control tends to be a bit hard to overview when the user is suppose to change a single setting (for example row 23 in a 40 array).

I'm attaching a slimmed version of the VI (not including the subVI that controls the relay card etc) and perhaps you'll understand what I'm aiming for.

[nyc_(is_out_of_here)]

You keep posting the same VI

But you claim you want something different.

You can't do what you want with the default controls.

You're going to have to create your own custom controls.

What have you done to do that?

[Ben · Accepted solution]

I agree with Saverio.

Customize a set of boolean controls using the images you have now.

Assemble them into a cluster

Put the cluster in an array

resize the array down

Right-click the array and hide the index and show the verticle scroll bar.

When you are done you should have a graphical step by step of the procedure.

You can add an "step Number" to the cluster to make it easier to what the step number is.

Ben 

[Mikael.Peterson]

Thank you both for your help and suggestions! I will look into clusters and see if there is anything I can use.