Remote Panels in Subpanel on tab conrol

[Q7]

I am attempting to view remote front panels from a tabbed control. I need to be able to view more than one instrument remotely and this seems to be the best way. I cannot have new windows popping up for each new instrument.

I have tried to use a subpanel web browser on each tab to view the remote panel but it will not load the panel. Web Browser vi works fine by itself, just not when embedded into a subpanel in a tab control.

Is there a way to do this?? 

I really need to have the same front panel dispayed on my server and client machines and remote panels do this well. I just don't know how to get them into a tabbed control!?!?!?!

HELP?!?!? PLEASE!!! 5 days lost on this already

[MattBradley]

A couple of questions for you:

1) Which version of LabVIEW are you using?

2) Do you need to use the web browser for the sub panels or could you use regular subpanels and put those on the tabs? (I ask this because I have actually done it and there are a couple of tricks).

[Q7]

1) Labview 8.6 with Full Development System - Server machine will be running executable.

2) I would love to use only subpanels without the web browser. I just don't know how to embed a remote panel into a subpanel. 

Please let me know what tricks you have and I will give them a go. Thanks!

[MattBradley]

First, put the tab on the front panel (easy)

Now, the sub panel control is in the same palette as the tab.  Put it on the tab.

It will also create a subPanel property node on the block diagram -- you can use that if you want (or, if you are really adventurous, you can create a reference to the subpanel, pass it to a subVI, and modify the subPanel in the subVI).

Now, all you have to do is hook up the VI ref in the subPanel property node and make sure it executes at the right time.  This is actually two steps, and there are a couple of good examples included.  Just go to the help and search on subpanel.  If you need more help, let me know.

[Q7]

I cannot put the reference to a remote panel into the subvi. I would have to open an application reference to the vi server on the instrument.

I need to access the main front panel of an executable that is already running on the instrument. I also need the front panel on the instrument to be updated with any changes I make from the remote machine. The only way I know how to access the front panel of an instrument and operate it remotely is through the Remote Panel - Open Connection to Server Method. This opens the remote panel in a separate window and I don't think it can be embedded in a subpanel. 

Thus far the only way I can find to view and control a remote panel from the subpanel is with a web browser running in the subpanel. Perhaps I do not know enough about VI server or other LabView abilities. 

Can you shed some light on this for me? I really want the operator to see the same front panel wether he is at the instrument or at the remote computer. 

[MattBradley]

OK, now I understand a little better.  Never tried this so I will have to try some stuff and get back to you later.

One thought that occurs to me would involve changing the architecture of your system.  Would passing the data back from the other PC through either TCP/IP or shared variable be an option?

[Q7]

Thank you.

Passing data back and forth would be a last resort. There are multiple subvis that run inside the executable in a single subpanel control. Example: select "Begin Test" from the main vi front panel and a subpanel opens with the runtest vi. The runtest vi can take inputs to start/stop motor, valves, heater, etc... so I would have to pass data back and forth to subvis regularly. 

Additionally, the operator at the instrument needs to know what has happened so I will need to change the state of the controls on the front panel remotely. Example: turned automatic temp control to manual - boolean AUTO/MANUAL control must be updated, etc...

Implementing a system to pass arguments back and forth seems awfully painful and messy! So much easier to just view and control the main vi remotely in a subpanel control. Just...how.