How can I make 3D Dynamic Image

[jtc]

I am still new in LabVIEW programming. I needed to make a 3D dynamic Tower Crane Image in my application. If anyone is interested in being a tutor via phone or e-mail, I would really appreciate it very much. I am using a LabVIEW 7.

A GPS receiver will give me the X,Y, and Z coordinates. I will place the GPS Antenna on top or end of the boom. The GPS receiver will send a serial data to my application. If the crane boom moves (up/down/left/right), the boom's dynamic image moves in the same sequence too. Kindly give me idea on how to start making it.

Thanks a lot.

[aartjan]

I would suggest you take a look at the free 3D picture control toolkit. It should make for a smashingly cool application! The toolkit also installs some examples (use the example finder) that will get you going quickly

[jtc]

To Aart-Jan.

Thank you for the advise. I have downloaded the 3D Picture Control Kit. I have also checked the examples. Looking at my attachment, how can I show the tower crane actual image (base and post as fixed position, slewing unti and boom as dynamic) instead of 3D boxes or 3D cylinders? Is it possible? Do i need to make a 3D drawing of Tower Crane too?

Thank you for your help.

[aartjan]

Without looking at your file I can tell you that the 3D toolkit just uses a picture control and therefore it is possible to import pictures. There is a major drawback to that though. In the picture control you can dynamically change the point of view. You will not be able to use that with a 2d picture. I recommend you find a vrml file of the crane, or "model" your own. In vrml it is possible to insert picures as well, but you would have to do that before loading it into Labview.