Building a simple User Interface

[Rafi2003]

HI,

I'm interested in building a very simple User Interface. All I want to see is a panel with buttons and each button will execute a test sequence file.

1) Is it possible to create such a panel with CVI or LV and then call a sequence file which will be handled by TS?
In that case, I would expect to see TS panels while executing the sequence and once finished (or closed by the user) to come back to the original panel that calls the sequences.

2) is it better to create this panel with TS utility? (I have never done it and suspect it will not be a simple job).

Thanks
Rafi

[RayFarmer]

Hi Rafi,

Have you looked at the examples OI within TestStand Examples and the OperatorInterface folders or on the NI website at http://zone.ni.com/devzone/devzone.nsf/webcategories/AF326C307D993AA386256819007171A1

for a minimal OI.

Regards
Ray Farmer

[tbob]

You can do this in test stand if a simple interface containing just a prompt and buttons will do. In your main sequence, the first step is to create a MessagePopup step. Put a title like "Test Selection". Put a message like "Choose a Test". Label button 1 "test 1". Label button 2 "test 2", and so on. Create a local numerical variable called TestNum. In the post expression section of the first step, add the line Locals.TestNum = Step.Result.ButtonHit. You next step can be a sequence call to the first test sequence. Add a precondition that Locals.TestNum==1. The following steps can all be sequence calls to your other test sequences with preconditions of Locals.TestNum==x, where x is the number corresponding to the button hit in step one. When the selected test sequence is done, the main sequence will be repeated with the message popup asking for a test to run.

[Rafi2003]

Thanks Thob,

Nice idea. I can think of at least one place where I can use this idea.

However, I would like to take this one step further and ask if it is possible to create the "main" panel with CVI or LV and call the sequences from there.

How does CVI call a sequence?
How do you make it to go back to your "main" panel?

Thanks
Rafi

[RajivG]

Hello Rafi,

If you want to call a sequence file in CVI, you can start with a simple OI. An example is provided with TestStand and should be located at c:\Program Files\National Instruments\TestStand 3.1\OperatorInterfaces\NI\Simple\CVI\. I would suggest you copy the whole folder to a different location and try experimenting with it.

If you just want to run a sequence with press of a button without loading it in sometihing like Simple OI, I think you can do it by just hiding all the controls and creating a button that executes a specific sequence.

Also, the link provided by Ray would be very helpful.

I hope it helps,
Rajiv