subVI Visibility

[jvh75021]

I have inherited a large (1000+ VIs seems large to me) TestStand project wherein many of the subVIs are visible. How can one determine by inspection the process used for making a subVI visible? I am fairly new at this but I think there are at least a couple of ways of doing this. I remember seeing a couple of things about it but failed to make a mental note as I was waist deep in alligators of another sort at the time. Seems like there is a visible when running and a bring to front method but can't seem to find them.

Thanks,

jvh 

[Norbert_B · Accepted solution]

jvh,

when talking about "visible", i suspect that you mean "popup", in other words: when called, the VI shows it front panel. Correct?

If so, there are several places where this could be configured. But most often, the popup-functionality is configured in the VI itself (VI settings >> Appearance). So this would be the first place for me to look into.

hope this helps,

Norbert

[OmarGator]

In LabVIEW to make the front panel visible you use an Invoke Node.

Select the VI class and then select the Front Panel Open method and wire in the states.

But also if you are calling these VI from within TestStand you will also need to add the

TestStand - Start Modal Dialog.vi and TestStand - End Modal Dialog.vi to get the VI

to pop up in front of your TestStand Window.

If you don't a lot of the time the VI will open up but will be behind TestStand and you will not see it.

Omar

Message Edited by OmarGator on 02-23-2010 08:27 AM

[jvh75021]

---

Norbert B wrote:

configured in the VI itself (VI settings >> Appearance). So this would be the first place for me to look into.

VI settings >> Appearance??  Couldn't find that but it gave me a clue. Maybe this is it: File > VI Properties > Window Appearance > Customize...  Show front panel when called

 Not sure I would have hidden that check box so deep and under Customize...

 

Thanx again,

 jvh 

[jvh75021]

Thanks, Omar.

You may have unknowingly solved another problem for me.

With this project if one is not careful with the mouse or looking at something unrelated to the test we sometimes have dialogs get hidden and minimizing everything in sight will not reveal them and there is no task bar anchor either.

Now I must investigate Invoke Nodes....

Wish I could select 2 answers as solutions. 

Thanks again,

jvh 

[Dennis_Knutson]

No, you do not need to use Invoke Nodes to make the front panel visible in LabVIEW or TestStand. Just use the VI Properties. Making the VI a dialog will enable the front panel display as well as making it modal to LabVIEW. Do make sure to use the TestStand Start/End Modal Dialog functions.