VI to open and control another program

[LG_LabVIEW]

HI,

Is there a stadard VI that can open a third party program,presses a button in that open program and then closes the program.

For instance i want to use LabVIEW to open a program called myscreencam and select save image.

then close the program?

Is there a standard VI that allows the user to open and control third party programs like this one?

Thanks.

[smercurio_fc]

Short answer: no.

Long answer: Please do a search on this forum. This question comes up A LOT, and there have been dozens of posts on controlling third-party applications. Research the already posted information and then post back with a more specific question.

[RER]

Hey Guys,

LabVIEW does allow you to extend your application functionality by accessing other Windows applications using .NET and Active X technologies.

Do you know if "myscreencam" registers an activeX server?

If so, here are some resources which may help:

https://www.ni.com/docs/en-US/bundle/labview/page/using-activex-with-labview.html

Excel: Set Active Cell via ActiveX

https://forums.ni.com/t5/Archive-TKB/Excel-Set-Active-Cell-via-ActiveX/ta-p/3510048

Send a Text Message from LabVIEW using ActiveX and Internet Explorer

https://forums.ni.com/t5/Example-Code/Send-a-Text-Message-from-LabVIEW-using-ActiveX-and-Internet/ta...

Event Handling with Internet Explorer

https://forums.ni.com/t5/Archive-TKB/Event-Handling-with-Internet-Explorer/ta-p/3507406

[LG_LabVIEW]

I just had a look at the files myscreencam loaded from its install log:

Self-Register: C:\WINDOWS\system32\videocapx.ocx
Self-Register: C:\WINDOWS\system32\olepro32.dll
Self-Register: C:\WINDOWS\system32\oleaut32.dll
Self-Register: C:\WINDOWS\system32\comcat.dll
Self-Register: C:\WINDOWS\system32\comdlg32.ocx
Self-Register: C:\WINDOWS\system32\msvbvm60.dll

it installed these files into the c:\windows\system32 folder.

do i have to open these files to view handles LabView needs to call to operate this program with ActiveX?

I have managed to open the program using the  Calling System Exec.vi, but now i need to control mouse to goto a position on the program and left click(grag an image),

I have found a vi that shows the position of mouse in x/y.

Is there a function that tells the mouse what x/y position you want it to go to?

thanks

[Dennis_Knutson]

No, you don't open those files.

Have you asked the software vendor for documentation on external control? Have you browsed your pc for ActiveX controls or type libraries?

Open the LabVIEW help and look up the ActiveX>Accessing ActiveX-enabled applications. This will give you a general idea but for specifics on what properties or methods to call (if any are available), you should have the assistance of the vendor.