How can I create a manual control switch?

[vanguns]

Using LabVIEW 6i, I am creating an interface to control a set of valves.  Sometimes the valve control is automated, but manual control is also allowed by flipping a "manual control" switch.  When the controls are in "automate" mode, they can not be switched by the user.  The way I have done this is to create two sets of controls on top of one another: one is a "control", and the other is an "indicator".   When I switch between manual and automatic, I change the visibility of the controls to show either the 'control' or the 'indicator', respectively.  It seems that there should be a better way to do this.  Any ideas?

[GuenterMueller]

Use your "manual control" switch to enable or disable the set of valve switches. This you do e.g. by creating a Property Node for each of your valve controls and select the property "Disabled". You can wire the states "Enabled", "Disabled" and "Disabled and Grayed Out" to all of the property nodes. (You cannot operate on disabled controls - which is exactly what you need.)

This also removes the need to have the two sets of controls and indicators: The set of controls will do.

Regards, Guenter