How can I fix the section of a front panel?

[Benjamin_]

Hi all

My problem is that way that I'm not able to adjust the section of the front panel which should be displayed very time exactly like before.

So every time I modify my front panel it look slightly different afterward when it's running.

Therefore I'm wondering if there's any possibility to fix the section of a front panel which should be displayed while the VI is running.

Every suggestions are welcome

Ben

[RavensFan]

You can lock controls and items on the front panel by way of the rightmost toolbar button that locks, reorders, and groups items.  But that prevents things from moving during editing.

I don't know if that would solve your problem.  You'll have to explain what you mean by "it looks slightly different afterward when it's running".  What is happening to it?  Can you post screenshots.

[Benjamin_]

Thank you but you're right, that don't solve my problem.

What I mean is the following, if I work on a front panel I will have some indicators elsewhere on the panel but I would like to show the user just a part of the front panel. Therefore I set the window size but I still have to shift the visible section to the section I want to show. However I'm not able to shift the section that way that the shown window looks like before because I have no reference where my section was before I started working on it.

What I need is a LV function where I can define which part of the front panel I want to show so that I show the user every time exactly the same window.

[johnsold]

Benjamin,

Have you looked at the property nodes which let you manipulate the size and position of the panel?  It may take some experimentation to get exactly what you want but the tools are there.

From your description I wonder if you are doing some things which are making your life more complicated than necessary. Controls off screen or hidden are usually hints that your program design may not be the most appropriate for your needs.  Typically the main front panel would only have the controls or indicators the user needs to see.  If the subset of controls the user needs varies with the state of the program, use tabs or subpanels to present the appropriate controls when needed.

Tell us a bit more about your application or post the VI and we may be able to offer better advice.

Lynn

[aeastet]

You could also attach your code or an example of your code so that we can see what you mean.

[stevem181 · Accepted solution]

Hi Ben,

This is a common issue that NI LabVIEW does not address.

The good news is that OpenG provides a function to do just what you need.

See this article: Resize Front Panel to largest decoration

The way to get the OpenG functions is to use the JKI VI Package Manager (VIPM).

In addition to the OpenG functions there are several other community provided tools avaliable through VIPM.

For a quick test, I'm attaching these files (LV version 2010 sp1):

Fit VI window to Largest Dec__ogtk.vi and the required sub vi Current VIs Parents Ref__ogtk.vi.

You should really use VIPM to get the full OpenG library - there are many gems in there.

steve

[Benjamin_]

Thank you steve!

That is realy what I was looking for.

I think I have to consider the OpenG lib in a calm minute but now my project needs to be done.