Interface

[hknima]

Hi,

I'm developing a simple program (using LV10) for my undergraduate students to demonstrate some concepts. However, the interface doesn't look too good to play with. I'm looking for some ideas to make it more attractive. Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks

[smercurio_fc]

What is it supposed to do? As it stands right now what are the functions for the controls?

[P.Sanders]

If you are looking to make your user interface more attractive, check the following link: UI Interest Group . You will need to download the files and add them to your Front Panel Controls Menus.

Kudos/mark as solution are welcome! 😉

-Ciao

[hknima]

The left and bottom vectors and matrices are inputs. The start buttons at the top are used to perform different simulations. The results are shown at the output figures and tables. The timer is used to change the simulation time. And the picture frame is for a static picture. 

[hknima]

Thanks P.Sanders for the useful link. I'm sure it would help.

[PBP]

Use System controls for better visual display. You can customize controls to make front panel more attractive.

Use following control themes readily available.

NI Theme

UI Control Suite: Metallic Theme

[smercurio_fc]

We should make a distinction between making something look "pretty" as opposed to making something be more functional, as in easier to use and more efficient. Just because something has nice colors doesn't mean it's easy to use or the most efficient control to use. That's why I think we should also consider the functionality of the controls and how the front panel is to be used. For example, in the shown front panel:

• Is there a reason why there's a tab control with just one page?
• What is the purpose of those large clusters? Is there a better way to enter the required data?
• Arrays are being used on the front panel for data entry. In general, arrays should have low consideration as user interface controls for top-level panels. They are not very user-friendly.
• Do you really need to have all of those graphs? Drawing graphs is an expensive operation, and you may find the VI slowing down considerably. 
• It's not clear what the time scale is supposed to be for the slider. Is this hours? Minutes? Millenia?

[P.Sanders]

I agree with smercurio_fc. LOL @ millenia! 😄

[hknima]

Thanks PBP for the links.

Thank you smercurio for the comments. However my concern is how it looks rather than how it performs, where slow performance is not a concern. I included all the inputs and outputs in the same page (all the arrays and figures), so that the users may see the impact of changing inputs on outputs in real-time. The tab is for extensions. The time scale is for hours, however I think it's off the topic.