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NI LabVIEW software is designed to make it easy for engineers and scientists to create measurement and control applications. LabVIEW 8.6 adds several new features that improve the user experience, including features that speed up programming and increase functionality.
Table of Contents
Edit Properties of Multiple Objects
With LabVIEW 8.6, you can edit the properties of multiple front panel objects simultaneously, saving time during application development.
To edit the common properties of front panel objects, select those that you wish to change and then right-click and select Properties.
Figure 1. Select multiple front panel objects by right-clicking and selecting Properties.
When the Properties dialog appears, notice that the number of objects you are modifying is displayed on the title and the shared properties are grouped using tabs.
Figure 2. Properties Dialog with Tabs of Common Properties
Any property changes are reflected in the selected front panel objects. Lack of common object properties are displayed by the message shown in Figure 3.
Figure 3. This message displays when no common properties are available.
For additional information, refer to LabVIEW Help: Edit Multiple Properties.
Breakpoint Manager
Debugging programs has become easier in LabVIEW 8.6 with the addition of the Breakpoint Manager. Instead of handling each breakpoint separately, you can use the Breakpoint Manager to control multiple breakpoints simultaneously for one or multiple VIs. You also can use the manager to enable, disable, and delete breakpoints from this single location.
Figure 4. Breakpoint Manager
There are two methods to open the manager: select View>>Breakpoint Manager or right-click on any object on the block diagram and select Breakpoint>>Breakpoint Manager.
Figure 5. Open Breakpoint Manager from View Menu
For more information on the breakpoint manager, refer to LabVIEW Help: Breakpoint Manager.
Link Tunnels in Case Structures
LabVIEW 8.6 simplifies linking unwired input and output tunnels in case structures. Now, you can set up case structures to automatically wire unused tunnels, saving you the time previously needed to go back and wire all unused cases.
You can use this feature before or after you create cases. Right-click on the output tunnel of a case structure and select Linked Input Tunnel. Before case creation, use the Create option to link inputs and outputs for future cases. During and after case creation, use the Create and Wire Unwired Cases option to link outputs and inputs for existing cases. This option also links tunnels in future cases.
Figure 6. Creating Linked Inputs and Outputs
You can identify linked cases by a tiny triangle on the tunnels pointing toward the case structure. To find linked tunnels, use the Find feature by right-clicking on a tunnel and selecting Linked Input Tunnel>>Find. Clear linked tunnels by right-clicking on a linked tunnel and selecting Linked Input Tunnel>>Clear.
Figure 7. Find and Clear Linked Tunnels
For more information on this, refer to LabVIEW Help: Tunnel Linking.
Palette API
With the new Palette API functions in LabVIEW 8.6, you can organize and programmatically integrate your custom palettes. Use this feature to add your VIs and palettes to the LabVIEW palette structure and customize the existing palettes to adapt to your programming preferences. The Palette API also eases integration for custom palettes and toolkits on end-user PCs.
The Palette API consists of two VIs: Read Palette.vi and Write Palette.vi. The Read Palette.vi returns data about a palette’s properties such as display name, icon color, and view format. The Write Palette.vi applies edits to your palette. Use the Refresh Palettes invoke node to programmatically refresh your Controls and Functions palette once you have made changes.
Figure 8. Palette Editing Functions and Invoke Node
Note: Using this feature modifies source files, and you cannot reverse these modifications automatically. If you only want to edit the LabVIEW palette’s appearance and do not wish to change the source code for the palette, consider using Tools>>Advanced>>Edit Palette Set.
To view a shipping example on using the Palette API, open the LabVIEW Example Finder at Help>>Find Examples… and search for “palette.”
Refer to LabVIEW Help: Palette API for more information.
MathScript Improvements
The LabVIEW MathScript node has several new features in LabVIEW 8.6 including:
- New functions
- Debugging enhancements
- Script highlighting
The Textual Math Improvements in LabVIEW 8.6 document includes detailed information on MathScript changes.
New Features for Mac and Linux
LabVIEW 8.6 offers new features for Mac and Linux® including:
- Support for LabVIEW MathScript
- 3D graphs
- LabVIEW Control Design and Simulation Module
- GPIB driver for Intel-based Macs
For more information, read New Features in NI LabVIEW 8.6 for Mac and Linux.
Linux® is the registered trademark of Linus Torvalds in the U.S. and other countries.
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