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Make a Splash in LabVIEW

March 8, 2012
Mark Ridgley // Certified LabVIEW Developer (CLD)
LabVIEW Instructor Anoka Technical College
Senior Test Development Engineer
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> Why a splash screen?
> Is there a need?
> Methods for implementing a splash screen
+ Transparent tab control
+ Sub-VI with a fade out effect
+ VI Server with dynamic loading
+ Splash in Main
> Questions / Comments
Agenda
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> More professional look and feel
> Most applications feature a splash screen
> Users expect it
Why a Splash Screen?
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> Native functionality hasnt been provided in LabVIEW
> Tutorials pertaining to building better user interfaces
exist, but most dont say anything about splash screens
> Google LabVIEW splash screen
Is There a Need?
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> Transparent tab control
+ Simple concept
+ Example is easy to implement
+ A complete solution using this method is not easily
implemented
- Requires specific modifications to your application
Methods
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DEMONSTRATION
Examine an example VI that uses a transparent tab control
to implement a splash screen
Transparent Tab Control
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> Sub-VI with a fade out effect
+ Simple concept
+ Example is easy to implement
+ A complete solution using this method is not easily
implemented
- Requires specific modifications to your application
Methods
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DEMONSTRATION
Examine an example VI that uses a sub-VI with a fade out
effect to implement a splash screen
Sub-VI With a Fade Out Effect
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>VI Server and Dynamic Loading
+ This is the accepted way
+ More complex
+ A complete solution using this method is not easily
implemented
- Requires specific modifications to your application
build process
Methods
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DEMONSTRATION
Examine an example VI that uses the VI Server and
Dynamic Loading to implement a splash screen
VI Server and Dynamic Loading
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> Splash in Main
+ Stats
- Created
Nov 25, 2007
- NI News
May 4, 2010 issue: Featured code example
February 7, 2012: Top 5 Example Codes in 2011
- NI Community
More than 5500 Downloads
- NI Developer Days Presentation
Framework Credit: Advanced LabVIEW User Interfaces.pdf
Methods
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>Splash in Main
+ Easy for LabVIEW users of all skill levels to
implement
+ Works whether the code is executed as a VI or built
into an executable
+ Distribution includes 4 fully-documented and
functional example Vis
+ Complete solution implemented using as little as a
one VI
Methods
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DEMONSTRATION
Examine the four Splash in Main example VIs
Splash in Main
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DEMONSTRATION
Examine an executable that utilizes the Splash in Main VI
Executable That Utilizes Splash in Main
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DISCUSSION
Questions / Comments
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+ Download the Splash in Main distribution
- https://decibel.ni.com/content/docs/DOC-1086
+ Google: LabVIEW splash screen
+ Experiment!
Continue Exploring This Topic
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Thanks for your time
Mark Ridgley // Certified LabVIEW Developer (CLD)
LabVIEW Instructor Anoka Technical College
Senior Test Development Engineer