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Graphical environment

Functions palette

The Functions palette (see [link] ) provides various function VIs or blocks to build a system. View this palette by right-clicking on an open area of a block diagram. Note that this palette can be displayed only in a block diagram.

Functions Palette

Controls palette

The Controls palette (see [link] ) features front panel controls and indicators. View this palette by right-clicking on an open area of a front panel. Note that this palette can be displayed only in a front panel.

Controls Palette

Tools palette

The Tools palette offers various mouse cursor operation modes for building or debugging a VI. The Tools palette and the frequently used tools are shown in [link] .

Tools Palette

Each tool is used for a specific task. For example, use the wiring tool to wire objects in a block diagram. If one enables the automatic tool selection mode by clicking on the Au tomatic T ool S election button, LabVIEW selects the best matching tool based on a current cursor position.

Building a front panel

In general, one constructs a VI by going back and forth between a front panel and block diagram, placing inputs/outputs on the front panel and building blocks on the block diagram.

Controls

Controls make up the inputs to a VI. Controls grouped in the Numeric Controls palette (Controls Express Num Ctrls) are used for numerical inputs, controls grouped in the Buttons&Switches palette (Controls Express Buttons) are used for Boolean inputs, and controls grouped in the Text Controls palette (Controls Express Text Ctrls) are used for text and enumeration inputs. These control options are displayed in [link] .

Control Palettes

Indicators

Indicators make up the outputs of a VI. Indicators grouped in the Numeric Indicators palette (Controls Express Numeric Inds) are used for numerical outputs, indicators grouped in the LEDs palette (Controls Express LEDs) are used for Boolean outputs, indicators grouped in the Text Indicators palette (Controls Express Text Inds) are used for text outputs, and indicators grouped in the Graph Indicators palette (Controls Express Graph Indicators) are used for graphical outputs. These indicator options are displayed in [link] .

Indicator Palettes

Align, distribute and resize objects

The menu items on the front panel toolbar (see [link] ) provide options to align and orderly distribute objects on the front panel. Normally, after one places controls and indicators on a front panel, these options can be used to tidy up their appearance.

Menu to Align, Distribute, Resize and Reorder Objects

Building a block diagram

Express vi and function

Express VIs denote higher-level VIs configured to incorporate lower-level VIs or functions. These VIs are displayed as expandable nodes with a blue background. Placing an Express VI in a block diagram opens a configuration dialog window to adjust the Express VI parameters. As a result, Express VIs demand less wiring. The configuration window can be opened by double-clicking on its Express VI.

Basic operations such as addition or subtraction are represented by functions. [link] shows three examples corresponding to three block diagram objects (VI, Express VI and function).

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Source:  OpenStax, An interactive approach to signals and systems laboratory. OpenStax CNX. Sep 06, 2012 Download for free at http://cnx.org/content/col10667/1.14
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