RFCreating a SubVI in LabVIEW: A Step-by-Step Guide
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SubVIs are incredibly useful in LabVIEW, offering a way to manage changes, debug your block diagrams more efficiently, and easily reuse code. Think of SubVIs as functions in text-based programming languages.
Requirements:
- LabVIEW (any version later than 2009)
Task:
Create a SubVI that performs linear scaling. Given inputs, calculate an output using a linear equation.
Procedure
Step 1: Create a New VI
Start by creating a new, blank VI in LabVIEW by navigating to File -> New VI.
Step 2: Give the VI a Name
Save the VI with a descriptive name, such as “Linear Scaling.vi”.
Step 3: Create Your Front Panel
Design your front panel with the necessary controls (inputs) and indicators (output). For the linear scaling SubVI, you’ll need controls for the input value and any scaling parameters.
Image alt: subVI labview fig1
Step 4: Create Your Block Diagram
This is where you implement the logic of your SubVI. Your block diagram should perform the linear scaling calculation.
Image alt: subVI labview fig2
Step 5: Create the Input and Output Connectors
This step defines how the SubVI interacts with other VIs.
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Right-click on the small icon in the upper-right corner of your VI and select “Show Connector”. This displays the connector pane.
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Select the “Wire” tool (usually the default). Click on a connector in the connector pane and then click on the corresponding Control or Indicator on your front panel that you want to connect to that connector.
Image alt: subVI labview fig3
Step 6: Create an Icon using the Icon Editor
Give your SubVI a recognizable icon.
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Right-click on the same icon in the upper-right corner (where you revealed the connector pane) and select “Edit Icon”.
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The Icon Editor allows you to draw a custom icon for your SubVI.
Image alt: subVI labview fig4
Step 7: Create a New VI to Test Your SubVI
Create a separate VI to test the functionality of your newly created SubVI. Place the SubVI on the block diagram of this new VI and connect inputs and outputs to test different scenarios.
Image alt: subVI labview fig5
