Cluster Shells Default to Arrange Vertically Autosizing

[Jarrod_S.]

Here is a small tweak that would save me a lot of development time (when added up). When I create a new cluster for a typedef or on a front panel, the cluster shell should default to the Arrange Vertically autosizing format. This is already the case for new class clusters, and it is really nice to use! It is a pain to repeatedly configure this setting after dragging a new control type or types into the cluster and have it mostly obscured behind the cluster shell.

It's a small improvement, but these small improvements really add up or time!

[jacemdom]

one second at a time... 🙂

[AristosQueue (NI)]

> This is already the case for new class clusters, and it is really nice to use!

Thanks.

As a workaround until this gets enough Kudos to be changed, you can create a custom control that is an empty cluster with Arrange Vertically enabled and then put that control in your palettes instead of the built-in cluster. That would at least save you the time in the future, even if it doesn't help other developers.

PS: To any developer that implements this: As much as I agree with Jarrod about changing the default, that's just me. I think we should change the default behavior, but also add this to Tools>>Options for those who like the current "size to contents" default.

Message Edited by Aristos Queue on 10-08-2009 06:08 PM

[JackDunaway]

AQ, you bring up a good point about the environment option... it doesn't really matter to me what the default is if there's an environment option.

[crelf]

I'd like an option where I could set it to arrange horizontally by default.

[AristosQueue (NI)]

> I'd like an option where I could set it to arrange horizontally by default.

Would the option apply to new private data controls of classes too?  We picked vertical as the default because that seemed best for probes, which are generated from the private data control. If you toggle general clusters to horizontal, do you want classes to stay vertical?

[Jarrod_S.]

I agree it should be an environment setting, and it seems to make sense it should apply to both class clusters and regular clusters.

I assumed Vertical would be a good default, because in my personal experience I use that exclusively for non-display clusters. But to each their own. As long as I get mine 😉

I generally only want horizontal clusters on a block diagram for the sake of squeezing them into tight spots, but this is a lost cause, because any edits to the cluster changes the orientation back to vertical. To get around this I've started the pseudo-convention of using hidden controls viewed as icons for cluster constants.

[PJM_Labview]

Personally, I like vertical just fine and I end up doing what Jason described several time a day. I guess one way to look at it it that any change from the existing setting (autosizing >> None) [I don't really think that this one is really useful to many people] would be better and if this were to become "vertically" this would be even better 😛

PJM

[jlokanis]

I almost always change block diagram constants to horizontal auto sizing.  This becomes even more annoying when they are clusters of clusters of clusters.  Generally, these are used to specify the type input when using bundle by name to construct an output cluster. (I prefer this to using a local of the indicator.)  So, if this is changed to default to veriticle, it will not same me any time.  Please make this an optional setting or an INI key! 

[FabiolaDelaCueva]

Stefan Lemmens just uploaded a Quick Drop plugin to change the auto sizing of the clusters selected 

https://forums.ni.com/t5/Quick-Drop-Enthusiasts/QD-Plugin-to-change-autosizing-of-clusters/gpm-p/387...