use touch screen to write LabVIEW

[IO HUI]

Hi all,

Recently I  have came up an idea about using touch screen(with pen) to write LabVIEW and I am wondering the workable of using it.

Have anyone even used touch sceen to write LabVIEW and can give me some comments for that ?

Thanks in advance.

[smercurio_fc]

Interesting idea. While I've used touch screens, they've been for setting up a user interface, and not for writing code. I can't see how that kind of mechanical input would be all that useful for writing LabVIEW code. Most touch screens don't have the resolution that a mouse has, so wiring will probably be quite difficult. I think many of us would like to know what you encounter, though.

[jjcimon]

very interesting idea,

 I would extend to use a input device like tablet pen they use in  cad drawing.

but you need a keyboard to enter control and indicator name plus comments

jacques

[Dennis_Knutson]

I think that if you used the pen, it would work. Many years ago, when MS introduced Windows for Pen Computing as an extension to Windows 3.1, I did an application for it. Entering values for numeric or string constants was a huge pain in the rear though. If the character recognition is much improved, you should be okay. I suspect though, that it would be quite a bit slower than having a keyboard.

[AnalogKid2DigitalMan]

I've tried it- like smercurio stated, the was not enough resolution and it's hard to see what terminal you are wiring up to on sub vi's and functions since your finger is covering the screen. That was a certain coolness factor to it though when dragging wires around. A pen device is probably better suited for such use.

[IO HUI]

Hi all,

Thanks for all of your replies.

Actually the reason that I have this idea because I feel hand pain when I use the mouse to write LabIEW in all day long and I would like to think of another method to write in oder to reduce the painful.

Firstly,I have tried some small touch panel with pan but it seems that the position for clicking is not exactly the point,instead, it has a light variation for tyhe clicking position.

Then,I found that there is a new 17" and 21" touch monitor with pen so I come up this idea.

Actually do you alll have this kind of painful? And how do you all solve this problem?

Thanks,

Io

[tst]

My experience with touch screens was also that they are not accurate enough for something like this, but a 24" screen with an iPhone like quality would probably work better.

As for the pain, it is common in people who use computers all the time. You might have Carpal Tunnel Syndrome showing its signs, so you should check with a doctor.

Regarding solutions, there have been several threads both here and in the LAVA forums about some options. I suggest you search for "ergonomic" and "trackball" and read those threads.

[Wiebe@CARYA]

I got wrist pain too, a few years ago. I learned to use the mouse with my right hand, so I could switch. Later, I also used a tablet pen (small wacom) with my left hand. Now I only have to learn to use the tablet pen with my right hand, so I have 4 options to switch to!

The auto tool help me a lot, but it was about 4 years to late...

Regards,

Wiebe.

[MichaelAivaliotis]

There are two reasons, that I am aware of, that cause pain in the mouse hand.

First, you need to elevate your arm so that it is parallel to the floor.
Here's a page on Mouse Ergonomics.

Second, you need to use the function "stickiness" that LabVIEW gives you for free. For example, when you need to wire two nodes together, left-click the start point then left-click the end point. DO NOT hold the mouse button down while dragging the wire to the end point. LabVIEW automatically locks the wire so that it is stuck to your mouse pointer. No need to hold the button down. This is a common mistake among LabVIEW programmers. When you apply continuous pressure on the left (or right) mouse button you will have problems in the long term.

The above technique works on all actions in LabVIEW, even on right click menus and palette views. A single click is all that is required to navigate. Once clicked you are in that menu. NO need to hold down the mouse button. I get really annoyed when I see people hold dow the mouse button for any reason. There are some exceptions where you have no choice like for example: cick-drag to select stuff, but in general it should be avoided.

[IO HUI]

Dear all,

Thanks for your advices.

Those advices are very useful and I don't know LabVIEW has those special features for wiring.I also used to hold the mouse to wire>Now, I know that and can tell the other about this.Thanks a lot

Cheers,

Io