How do I reduce the Labview Function/Controls panel delay?

[Richard Baxter]

The 2->3 second delay when using the Labview Function/Controls panel (and selecting sub functions/sub controls) is unacceptable. When items are selected (left clicked) in the Functions or Control panel, nothing happens. It is only when the 2->3 second delay has finished, do the sub menus pop up.

(note we use a 0ms second delay when selecting Windows menus in general via - Regedit HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Control Panel\Desktop\MenuShowDelay, and so a 2->3 second Labview menu delay is unusable).

We are currently using Labview 6.00, and we see no reason to upgrade unless there are some serious keyboard shortcut enhancements applied to labview.

0)     

1)       We require the ability to assign keyboard shortcut keys to all operations (there are many tasks we need to repeat in labview that require multiple mouse clicks in pop up menus – this is time consuming).  Eg we require the ability to quickly copy local variables (NB using Ctrl-c, Ctrl-v creates both a new object and a local variable corresponding to that new object, rather than just a copy of the local variable).

2)       We require the ability to perform the same operation to multiple objects at the same time

a)       Eg we wish to be able to select multiple local variables and, and change them to read or write

b)       Eg we wish to be able to select multiple property nodes and, change colour to blue

c)       Eg we wish to be able to select multiple invoke nodes and change method to invoke

3)       We require the ability to more easily select and unselect which controls/indicators are designated to be inputs/outputs of .vi (and possibly the ability to zoom in and out in the Diagram View) – this is particularly important when working on high resolution monitors.

[mikeporter]

There are TONS of reason to upgrade from V6.0. Everything in the language is faster and more powerful, and more stable.

Mike...

[Ray.R]

I don't think that copying Local Variables should be at the top of your list... as a matter of fact, you should avoid their use unless absolutely necessary.

I agree with Mike that you should upgrade to the latest version.  Taking courses might also be a good idea on how to learn shortcuts as well as newer/better coding structure (ie: NO stacked sequences & NO Local Variables).

RayR

[Richard Baxter]

Has this problem being resolved in a newer version of labview? When selecting submenus in the Function or Controls panel, do they appear instantaneously?

(We can't test it - we have already installed a number of evaluation versions of Labview 8.5 but they only last 30 days so we can never evaluate a new version of Labview).

Richard

[mikeporter]

The palettes open much more rapidly. How fast they open the first time depends on how you have the loading of the menus configured.

Mike...

PS: Never forget that excessive usage of local variables is a Great Evil - ranking right up there with things like the "A Very Brady Christmas" TV special...

[Richard Baxter]

So with respect to the additional comment made in primary thread, has this issue being resolved?

"Note when a Function/Controls panel is pinned, submenus can be selected instantaneously (using left mouse button), however the pinned function is useless as a) it is not brought up by right clicking on the Window (and it stays in an arbitrary location on the screen), and b) it requires the user to navigate back/up the tree once drilling down (without a keyboard shortcut to navigate back/up)".

[Richard Baxter]

I have found a solution to this problem for Labview 6.00.

Assuming you are a text programmer, you may already have the Enter and Backspace keys mapped on your 5 button mouse. Use the enter key (or mouse button mapped to enter key) to navigate the Labview Function/Controls panel menu structure instantaneously.

Regarding previous comments;

Cheers for your comments about local variables - we have heard this before from NI and are using shift registers where possible.

I don't remember newer versions of labview being faster - do you have some stats on that?

The one feature we liked in Labview 8.5 was the snap to grid option, but this should have been implemented generally rather than VI based.

Richard

[TCPlomp]

There are options when LabVIEW will load the palettes.
In LabVIEW 8.5 you can load them at startup (showing the getting started window will take longer).
When neccesary (what you see will happen)
In the background (the first time will take longer).

About the property and invoke nodes I would say that is hard to do. If you have linked them to different type of controls it will be hell for the IDE to sort out which methods are in common. In such a case a VI with a generic reference control will be your best option.

Ton

[Ray.R]

I would also recommend customizing your palette.  It is a must... especially if you do not use those nasty Express VI's 😉