labview crash course presented by:. goals of crash course become familiar with the interface become...

LabVIEW Crash Course

Presented by:

Goals of Crash Course

Become Familiar with the Interface

Become Familiar with Basic Commands

Become Familiar with Basic Elements

Slide 2

Crash Course Parts

Section 1: Introduction Presentation

Section 2: Worksheet

Slide 3

Slide 4

What is LabVIEW?

Laboratory Virtual Instrumental

Engineering Workbench

LabVIEW is a graphical language

It works just like block diagrams

LabVIEW consists of two environments

Backpanel/Block Diagram

Frontpanel

Slide 5

Back Panel

This is where you build your Programs

All blocks and programming elements go here

Slide 6

Block Explanation

Blocks are called VIs

VIs come in a variety of shapes and sizes

VIs are connected to each other by wires

Slide 7

Block Explanation

VIs are setup so data moves from left to right

Each data type has its own wire color

Constants, Controls, Variables and Indicators have the same color scheme

Inputs

Formatting

Outputs

Data Flow

Slide 8

Block Diagram

Execution Order Can be a Problem

0

2

0

0 or 6?

Slide 9

Block Diagram

Execution Order Can be a Problem Solve with Sequence Structures or Data Flow

Right Click =>Structures => Flat Sequence

=> For Loop, While Loop, Timed Structure, ETC

Slide 10

Express VIs

Automate Frequently used operations

Will be used to generate signals

Slide 11

Debugging

If you’re unsure how to use a VI use ctrl-H for context help

LabVIEW contains several example VIs

Keep an eye on what data types you use

Slide 12

Debugging Highlights Data Flow

You can also use the Error Data Type

Debugging

Slide 13

Front Panel

This is where your programs will output to

There is no zoom function – what you see is what you get

Slide 14

Front Panel

Objects placed on the Front Panel will create icons in the back panel for the VI to manipulate

Slide 15

Advanced Topics

Loops, case structures, comments, variables, sub-programs and just about every other Comp-Sci term can be implemented in LabVIEW

There is text programming in LabVIEW

For more info visit NI’s website www.ni.com

Slide 16

Hints

Work on the back panel first

Don’t cross wires – Keep the diagram clean

If in doubt: right-click

Slide 17

Shortcuts

Ctrl-B -Remove Broken Wires

Ctrl-R -Run VI

Ctrl-E -Change Environment

Ctrl-T -Tiled View

Ctrl-H -Show Icon Help

Ctrl-(drag) -Copy to Location

Shift-(Right Click) -Call Cursor Palette

Other Resources

LabVIEW for Dummies http://www.iit.edu/~labview/Dummies.html

Slide 18

Slide 19

Worksheet Time!