Vision 8.2.1 and standalone applications

[ceger]

I recently upgraded to Vision 8.2.1 (still running LabVIEW 8.2), and subsequently modified a vision acquisition VI to take advantage of some of the new IMAQdx calls.  The modified VI works fine, and the executable built from it works fine.  However, I have rebuilt a standalone installer for this application, and after installing the app, a co-worker is unable to run it.  The machine we're attempting to run it on does not have Labview installed, but we have purchased the license for standalone Vision applications for this machine, and it activates successfully during installation.  Also, I have built the installer using the the 8.2.1 Vision RTE, so I know that's up-to-date.  We were previously able to run the earlier version of the application built using Vision 8.2 on this machine with no problems.  On the first attempt to run the new app, we received an error message indicating that niimaqdx.dll couldn't be found.  So I located that dll on my machine and copied it over.  Now, when we try to run the installed executable, a dialog box reports that several IMAQdx subVIs are missing.  The exact message is:

"Missing subVI IMAQdx Discover Ethernet Cameras.vi in (my VI name here).vi

 Missing subVI IMAQdx Enumerate Cameras.vi in (my VI name here).vi

 Missing subVI IMAQdx Open Camera.vi in (my VI name here).vi

 Missing subVI (one of my subVIs) in (my VI name here).vi

 Missing subVI (one of my subVIs) in (my VI name here).vi

 Missing subVI (one of my subVIs) in (my VI name here).vi

 Missing subVI IMAQdx Get Image.vi in (my VI name here).vi

 Missing subVI IMAQdx Unconfigure Acquisition.vi in (my VI name here).vi

 Missing subVI IMAQdx Close Camera.vi in (my VI name here).vi"

Also reported missing are a couple of subVIs that I developed myself --- but only ones that have been added to the top-level VI since updating to Vision 8.2.1!

The project is composed of several layers of subVIs, and I can't post the project here.  So, as a test, I made a simple dummy VI and project, which simply has a call to Discover Ethernet Cameras and a call to Enumerate Cameras.  I then built an executable.  I then built an installer.  After installing to a PC without Labview, the resulting application has the same error.  I've double-checked all my project settings, and they all seem ok.  In fact, the settings haven't changed since my working version, with the exception of the "Additional Installers".  The only changes there are the selection of "NI Vision Run-Time Engine 8.2.1" instead of 8.2.

Attached are the test VI and images of the error dialogs.  I believe anyone can recreate this error by simply starting a new project, adding the attached VI (or any VI using IMAQdx calls), building an installer, then installing the application on a machine without Labview (you will need a licensed Vision run-time).

Any clues?  I desperately need to resolve this issue, because the application in question is an important tool used by my co-worker.  Hopefully, it's something simple that I'm overlooking.

[ceger]

While searching for answers to this problem, I found the following:

Deployment Policy for NI-IMAQdx Note to Users

Does this mean that the deployment license we purchased for Vision 8.2 is no longer usable with applications developed using 8.2.1 and IMAQdx functions?

[RRRRSSSS]

if you install 8.2.1 on top of 8.2, you should run a small utility to ensure that all components updated successfully, which can be found at this link:
http://digital.ni.com/public.nsf/websearch/C4B6EF55C6948A27862572B30068BF91?OpenDocument

[ceger]

Thanks for the suggestion, but I haven't installed LabVIEW 8.2.1....I'm still running 8.2.  I have updated the Vision package to 8.2.1.  I wish someone from NI would weigh in on this issue.

[J.Harv]

Ceger--

    The question is really what type of acquisition system you have.  What type of camera and how is it connected to your computer.  Since you didn't mention having a 1394, or firewire, camera or license, I am going to assume that you are using a plug-in frambrabber.  The reason that I ask is that if you are using our hardware (i.e. a frambrabber)  the cost of the license is included in the purchase.  So you do not need to purchase a lincense for the IMAQ software, it's free, since you need a framegrabber to use it. 
      On the other hand, if you have a Firewire or GigE camera that can plug directly into the computer then you have to purchase a license for this driver software, named IMAQdx.
       I can think of two possible reasons why you are getting the error, the first being that you have a framegrabber and so do not have a license for IMAQdx for the deployment computer. If you have a framegrabber you shouldn't need to use IMAQdx for any reason. The next being, since it is saying that so many of those files are missing, that you have not included IMAQdx into the installer.  IMAQdx is separate from IMAQ and if you need to use IMAQdx then you need to include this into the installer.
      Please, let me know if any of this sounds like it could be what is going on and please post back with any questions so that we can get this figured out and get you back up and running!

Regards,

John H
Applications Engineer
National Instruments

[ceger]

Thanks for the reply John.  We aren't using a framegrabber .... we use several different cameras, all of which are either firewire or GigE.  But we have already purchased a Vision deployment license for the deployment computer.  I don't believe that licensing is the issue, because the installed application activates just fine. 

However, you mentioned that IMAQdx is separate from IMAQ, and that I need to include IMAQdx in the installer.  But it's not listed under "Additional Installers".  I've included a jpg showing the list of additional installers available to me.  But I know that IMAQdx is installed correctly on my development machine, because I'm able to use the IMAQdx functions with no problem.  So, I don't know why it's not listed under "Additional Installers", but this precludes me from including it in the build.

Thanks again for your help.

[J.Harv]

Ceger--

      Alright,  that is definitely the problem.  I have both IMAQ and IMAQdx listed on mine, but I was able to find out what the problem is....

      LabVIEW 8.2 was built for the current version of the Microsoft Installer (MSI) at the time which was 3.0.  Vision 8.2.1 which came out slightly later was built to use version 3.1.  Apparently, there is a conflict between these two versions of MSI.

      Anyway, to fix the problem you can just install LabVIEW 8.2.1 which should come with any  Standard Service Program (SSP) or Software Service Program.  If you have this, then it was probably shipped to you.  If not please go here, to look at your upgrade options.

     A couple other ways to work around this would be to bundle the Vision Acquisition Software with your installer. Then you could run a batch file to install them in order...or just manually install the software to get your application to work. Otherwise, if you can get away with only using firewire you could remove the IMAQdx function calls and use legacy 1394 for now until you can get the upgrade.

    Anyway, let us know if you have any questions.

Regards,

John H.

[ceger]

Finally received LV 8.2.1.  Indeed, now IMAQdx is included on the list of available additional installers.  Problem solved. Thanks for your help.