How can I acquire screenshots using labview?

[Gagan]

Hi

Is it possible to acquire screenshots of an instrument using labview? I do not want to plot the graph by acquiring the X-Axis and Y-Axis data points. I just want to get the screenshot of a spectrum analyzer in the form of HPGL file using labview. Does anyone know whether this is possible or not...


Thanks

[altenbach]

I assume you want to get an image of the front panel of your VI, is this correct?

You won't be able to generate HPGL vector format, but you can natively save it as BMP, JPG, or PNG, to be converted later.

As a simple example, you could place the attached VI (LabVIEW 7.1) inside a case structure that gets triggered whenever you want to take a picture of the calling VIs front panel. Modify as needed.

[PReitano]

Altenbach,

I am trying to figure out how you file works. Can you explain what it does and how can I implement it?
My goal is to get an image of what I seen on my Spec A.
Thank,

[altenbach]

What is "Spec A"? Is this a LabVIEW front panel?

[PReitano]

Sorry, Spec A stands for spectrum analyzer.

[altenbach]

Is your "spectrum analyzer" a LabVIEW program with diagram? In this case, you would just call my VI.

I have attached a small example (LabVIEW 7.1), showing ways to get an image of either the entire front panel or only of a graph display. Let me know if this makes it clear.

[Dennis_Knutson]

To get an actual screenshot of what your instrument is displaying, your instrument has to have an internal command to perform such an operation and another command to send that data over GPIB. Check your instrument's manual. No programming language can issue commands to an instrument that don't have the commands created by the manufacturer. If you don't want to transfer the x and y data from the instrument, then get a camera, point it at the instrument, and use LabVIEW to control the camera. That's going to pretty expensive. Making a LabVIEW front panel look like the instrument is probably the best way.

[tbob]

There are several spectrum analyzers out there that will allow you to save the screenshot to a floppy disk or the internal hard drive. I know that Agilent makes such spectrum analyzers. You could issue a GPIB command to save the screenshot to a file on the spec an's internal hard drive, then copy the file from the spec an to your computer's hard drive over a network. Then you could manipulate the file in any way you wish.

[Latenite1]

Hello all,

I am trying to make sense of this post but I am having a hard time incorporating it into my own code. here is an example of my code...I would like to be able to take a picture just the graph and then the entire front panel aswell.

Thanks in advance

[altenbach]

You forgot to attach your code.