How to load VI module into UI

[goLV]

Hello,

On some test applications there is only 1 monitor for the user. As a result the UI and any steps that require a VI front panel to be shown must share the same monitor. If I don't want overlapping front panels (ie. UI and step VI front panels) then I must be careful with front panel positioning, sizing etc. Also there is the possibility of users moving front panels around thereby causing overlapping and/or hidden front panels. I know that I can remove basically everything from the front panel window (title bar, menu etc) of the VI module step to stop the user from creating an overlapping window situation.

My question:

With TestStand 4.0.1 and LabVIEW 8.5.1 is there a way for a VI module step to load the VI into the UI? Maybe the UI has a "designated subpanel" control that is used to show the front panel of the VI module step or something of this nature. By doing this there is only one window for the user to deal with and I only have to be concerned about the size of the loaded VI and the subpanel on the UI.

Does this sound like a possibility?

thanks,

Glen

[Norbert_B]

Glen,

TestStand or the default UIs do not supply your requested feature. And i am sure that your approach is not the best. Nevertheless, you CAN solve such approaches. But to have it to do yourself....
The key for this is to understand the way how TestStand communicates with the UI. This is done by the UIMessages. You can use an UIMessage to load and include the VIs Frontpanel into your UI.

The better solution would be to have all controls and indicators you have to use already within your UI. You can then easily update these by either using VI Server or using the UIMessages....

hope this helps,
Norbert

[goLV]

Thanks for the reply Norbert,

The test stand has approximately 700 channels to test 16 or more families of parts. The controls and indicators required for each part family will be very different. I think I should consider 16 UI's with specific controls and indicators for each part family. Does that make sense?

thanks for you help,
Glen

[Norbert_B]

Glen,

what about creating a tab control on the UI and switch pages using UIMessages? You can hide the tab selector to remove the risk of abusement from the user.....

just a hint,
Norbert

[goLV]

That sounds like a great idea...

thanks for the hint,
Glen