How do I customize the axes of an xy graph?

[jones1920]

Hello,
I need a little bit of help in formatting the x-axis of an xy graph i'd like to build.  I am using Labview to program a mass spectometer.  I have the voltages coming from the spectrometer as the y-axis.  The problem is that I need to make a custom format for the x-axis.  The voltages coming from the spectrometer all are acquired at one time and are not discrete values.  I can't make a custom x-axis because the "build xy graph" only accepts a value for the x-axis and not a range.  Is there a way that I can input a range of values for the "build xy graph" and  vi and vary the scale from the front panel? 

I've attached a picture to illustrate.  I'd like the x-axis to span from 0-50.  The spectrometer is triggered by a sawtooth wave and the data is collected in one second.

Thanks,

James

[Dennis_Knutson]

I'm not sure why you even need an XY graph. If the data acquisition is evenly spaced, all you have to do is use a normal waveform graph and set the multiplier to be equal to the sample time. Right click on a graph and select Properties>Scales. The default multiplier is one. As an example, if the acquisition takes a sample every msec, then set the multiplier to .001. I'm assuming that you are using a data acquisition board in some way since that is the forum you posted to to. If you acquire data as a waveform data type, the x-axis will be automatically formatted for you.

[jones1920]

Hello Dennis,

Is there a way that I can control the scaling factors and offsets from the front panel or would I always have to manually alter them through the graph properties?


Thanks again,

James

[Dennis_Knutson]

Not sure what you mean since what I mentioned is from the front panel. If you mean can you have some numberic controls on the front and set the graph with thme, then yes. You can create a property node for the graph. Right click on the graph, select Create Property Node. On the diagram, right click on the node and select X Scale,Offset and Multiplier>All Elements if you want to change both or one of the individual settings. Right click on the property node and select Change to Write. If you select all elements, you wire a cluster of values to it. If you've selected the individual property, wire a single control to it.

[jones1920]

Thanks Dennis. The property nodes worked great.

-James