Welcome to the VIPM Idea Exchange. Here's your chance to collaborate with JKI engineers and other users to influence the future of VI Package Manager. How can VIPM make your life easier or help you work smarter? Tell us!


To submit an idea:

  1. Type your idea in the box below. The Idea Exchange will show you similar ideas as you're typing.
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+1

Auto generate Pallete

Ninad Regundwar 10 years ago 0
In VI Package Builder when a new VI is added to the existing vipb the VI should be auto generated in the functions pallet without clicking the 'Auto generate Pallet'

Refer to post:http://forums.jki.net/topic/2227-add-new-vi-to-the-pallet/
+1

Insert LabVIEW Primitive Defaults to Previous Search

Jonathon Green 13 years ago 0

Just a small one... ...I think it would be sweet if the Insert >> LabVIEW Primitive... Dialog defaults to the previous search. 

It should have the text highlighted in focus so I can just type over it if I am doing a completely different search, but if I am in the middle of putting a bunch of like-primitives in the palette then there may already be there from the last keyword search.

Image 18
+1

Visual Indication of Auto-populating Field

Jonathon Green 13 years ago 0
I thought it would be cool to know what fields are autopopulated but some small visual indicator. 
The only way we had to check was in the VIPB file. 
We had some issues where it was changing from PC to PC - mine to his and vice versa (based on previous 'favourite' entries?).
But I can see other use cases where it would be handy.
+1

Custom Package Install Location

Jed D 10 years ago 0

I would be nice to have the ability to install a package directly into a end user specified project folder instead of being forced to install to a set location.  This would be similar to how NPM manages dependencies for Javacript node.js projects.   


I assume this package would not be installed onto any of the pallets, but it would allow a user to work with multiple projects using different versions of the same packages.  You wouldn't have dependency overlap of installing things into your labview program files or OS user file locations.  I guess this would just be an extension for packed project library but with versioning built in

+1

Dependencies have to be uninstalled at the last

Priyadarsini 10 years ago 0
Dependencies of a package are installed first followed by the main package itself which is the correct behavior. But uninstallation should be in the reverse. Main package has to be uninstalled first followed by its dependent packages. This will be useful if the main package's custom post-uninstall action uses a VI from the dependent package. Also if there is some issue with the uninstallation process the main package will not be left alone without its dependencies.
+1

rename dependencies (without renaming package files)

Andy Soukup 11 years ago updated 11 years ago 2

What is it?

currently you have the ability to add a file name prefix/postfix to all package files. I am proposing that we have the ability to add a file name prefix/postfix to ONLY the dependencies. This would be identical to the way that NI allows you to rename the dependencies in packed libraries.


Why is this needed?

When migrating your code into packages, you're presented with this series of events:

  1. I have X.vi. It is some piece of re-usable code that hasn't yet made it into a VIP.
  2. I build package A.vip and it has dependency X.vi included in the package
  3. I have application Application.vi that has dependencies A.vip and X.vi 
  4. Now, when i open Application.vi, I am unsure which X.vi will be used?!
Now, as a consequence of me applying configuration management, I have now completely lost configuration management if X.vi! (darn!). Usually, you are able to migrate X.vi into a package fairly quickly, but if you're working with a large library of reusable code (mine is 2300 VIs), this becomes an issue. 


With this change implemented, the series of events changes to:

  1. I build package A.vip and it has dependency X.vi included in the package as A_X.vi (assuming you add "A_" prefix to dependencies)
  2. I have application Application.vi that has dependencies A.vip and X.vi 
  3. Now, when i open Application.vi, the application uses X.vi and A.vip used A_X.vi

for a full discussion of this issue, see this thread http://forums.jki.net/topic/2103-rename-vi-dependencies/page__gopid__5165

+1

Add the Default Data directory as a target folder

Ton Plomp 11 years ago updated 11 years ago 2

I tried to create a VIP that contained the famfamfam.com Silk icon set as a glyph set for the NI Icon editor.

The Icon editor stores the PNG files in the '%Default data directory%\Glyphs' path. Unfortunately the %Default Data Directory% isn't available as a target in VIPM.

Image 32


Ton

+1

Implement package star ratings

Thoric 11 years ago 0

Star Ratings

With most things you can download these days there's usually some form of user rating, namely in the form of a score out of 5 stars, such as 


The best of the best

There are so many packages on VIPM now, and some I've never seen before and have never tried, that I wonder which ones I might be missing out on. I can't install them all, but if each were to display a star rating I could quickly pick out some candidates to try! I would know that these ratings would be coming from LabVIEW users and that I could trust them to be an honest reflection on the usefulness of the package.


NI Tools Network

The NI Tools Network already implements a ratings system, can we have something similar for the packages list view window? Clearly those that are supported on the NI Tools Network repository would need their rating to come from NI.


Submission

Of course, the ratings need to come from somewhere, and that would be us users. I think it would be great if you were able to provide your own rating for packages you have installed. If you are uninstalling a package, VIPM could ask you to provide a rating whilst it uninstalls so that you can provide feedback on why - it maybe that you hated it and this way you get to provide a low rating.

+1

customise autogenerate icon

Bela Komoroczy 12 years ago 0
In the VI package buider in the 'Palettes' section you have the possibility to edit the icons.
It would be very useful if besides 'edit icon' and 'autogenerate icon' there would be an option to change the way the icon autogeneration happens.
For example in the LabVIEW icon editor, if you choose a template (which can be fully customised) which has a header, than the text entered in the icon editor is automatically placed under the header. Options like this, and also some other clever ways to cusomise the autogeneration of icons would make the customisation easier.
+1

On scanning a repo, VIPM should tell me if there are new packages

Christopher Relf 11 years ago 0

When I scan my repo, it tells me that there are no new verisons of packages that I have installed. I think it should also tell me if there are any new packages avialable since the last scan.

+1

Ability to categorize VI packages and show category in the form of "stars"

Brandyn Adderley 12 years ago updated by David_L 12 years ago 1

I would like the ability to categorize VI packages that are built.  If my company has 3 basic categories for a toolkit (1. use at own risk 2. Semi-tested 3. Certified). Then this category can be displayed when a user installs a package.  Image 30


Furthermore, once this information is gathered, you can then possibly search and install only Rock solid packages, for example


+1

An API to Create a VIPC from one or more Packages

Priyadarsini 9 years ago updated 9 years ago 3
Currently, the VIPM APIs support creating a VIPC given a VI or folder or LVProject. But there should also be a way to create a VIPC given a set of Packages. In this way we can create packages & a package configuration programmatically.
+1

Pre-check the Automated Online Activation URL

Thoric 11 years ago 0

After starting my build process, and waiting for about 10 minutes, it bombed with an error related to validation of the Automated Online Activation URL. This check is performed by calling "_ValidateAutoActivationURL.vi" from the NI_LV2PLicAPI.lvlib, and can therefore be done at any time. Can I request that this check is performed at the very beginning please? Thanks.

+1

Double Click Icon to Insert LabVIEW Primitive

Jonathon Green 13 years ago updated 13 years ago 0

Given the graphical paradigm of LabVIEW I think it would be sweet if I could click on an icon I see in the Insert >> LabVIEW Primitive... dialog to select it for the palette (rather than just text). 


Image 19

Here is a quick edit (not complete) of what may be cool - to show all search hits with icons and text that could be scrolled through and double-clicked.

Image 20

0

Display toolkits license status

kosistivan 5 years ago 0

It would be great to see (or be able to filter out) toolkits, which are registered by Third-Party Activation Toolkit, and see its statuses. Because it happens, that some toolkits have trial period, then it is expired - and LabVIEW warns about it. When one wants to remove these toolkits, he has to open VIPM - but then he needs to search those packages by name.

But if - for example - first time user turns off notification window in LabVIEW for expired license, he does not see it in future. But, there are still toolkits with invalid (expired) license - and when he wants to uninstall them, he needs to open Activation Add-On window, check toolkits and their statuses, go to VIPM, and remove them.

If there would be statuses visible in VIPM, then one sees it directly there, and could manage - either buy/prolong license, or uninstall toolkit so he will not be bothered by it in the future.

This feature is not important, because such situation occurs quite seldom, but it could make routine a bit easier.

Thanks a lot,

Sincerely, kosist90.

0

Font Size

Manzolli 5 years ago 0

I have a Surface Book 2 with a 3000x2000 pixels 13.5" screen. With screens like that its mandatory a way to change the font size. I suggest adding a ability to change the package list font, at least.

0

Fix the search text field not working with key repeat delay (key hold)

matt baker 6 years ago 0

The search text field doesn't handle key down and hold events / repeat. For example holding down the delete key should strat deleting multiple characters after a while. Same for the cursor keys moving the caret position - it doesn't work when held down.

0

Open links in the default browser instead of forcing Internet Explorer

matt baker 6 years ago 0

Use the ShellExecute WinAPI function to automatically open links in the default browser for Windows systems.

IE is horrendous.

0

Prevent duplicate function palette entries in "syncronized" destination folders

Patric Jenni 6 years ago 0

Installing a package with a custom functions palette to the folders user.lib or instr.lib (eg. user.lib/My Library) results in duplicate entries in the functions palette when the package is installed.


This is due to automatic synchronisation of the functions palette within these folders. Adding an (_) underscore in front of the package installation directory (e.g. user.lib/_My Library) skips LabVIEWs automatic synchronisation of the functions palette and therefore only shows the custom functions palette like expected.


I would like VIPM to check if a package will be installed to one of these folders (without an underscore as the first letter) AND does have a custom functions palette. If so, VIPM should show a hint like "...this will result in duplicate function palettes entries..." (or something better). At least, this fact should be better documented.

0

Bug in open Package creation

Yamaeda 7 years ago updated 7 years ago 2

For some reason i get an error when opening a package in the creator from the Latest package list, this error seems to stick, as further clicks on the Build package button doesn't do anything. 

What i need to do is restart VIPM and Build Package and select Open package.

0

Package hierarchy for a selection of packages or package configuration

ChristianL 8 years ago 0

A feature or function to display a hierarchy of packages showing the dependencies between different packages, based on a selection of packages, what is currently installed, or all packages in a package configuration. Similar to the VI or class hierarchy in LV.

0

Jual obat suplemen peninggi badan tiens murah asli

Bro Youtube 8 years ago 0

Kami menjual Jual obat suplemen peninggi badan tiens murah asli dalam bentuk paketan, kenapa begitu? maksudnya biar sesuai dengan badget (uang) dan kebutuhan konsumen, karena setiap orang budget dan kebutuhan ingin naik tingginya berbeda. Sudah jelas kan? 😉 Anda bisa memilih Harga Paket Suplemen Peninggi Badan Tiens berikut ini sesuai badget kemampuan uang dan kebutuhan ingin naik tingginya :

0

Build Package option in Project (using Project Provider)

It will be cool if there is a menu option (right click, menu bar etc.) for building a package of selected VIs?


http://screencast.com/t/bZbEaDixH


With Project Provider mechanism, this seems feasible as well.

0

On LabVIEW open, have VIPM scan for package updates of installed packages.

Christopher Relf 11 years ago 0

...and maybe tell me about updates to packages I don't have installed?

0

Create and store "Package Configuration" files in online profile

Francois Normandin 10 years ago 0
Adding package configurations to a project is a great way to always have all my dependencies available for a quick install. However, these files can be quite large and take a lot of time synchronizing with Hg or Git repository.

It would be awesome to be able to create these packages online and store them in our user profile. Consequently, having the ability to share package configurations between users (publicly or privately) would allow to keep small vipc files in LabVIEW project without the need to "include packages" in the configuration file.

0

"Generate Preview" function for package build specs

Tim Vargo 9 years ago updated 9 years ago 1
While using the VI Package Builder, once a package spec is complete or nearly complete, it would be very useful to be able to see a "Preview" of the build -- that is what the build WOULD look like if built using the current specs. This would be analogous to the existing Generate Preview function in LabVIEW projects' Build Specification properties. Such a preview would help to clarify exactly what folders the various project files will be deployed to, what their new names will be if prefix/suffix renaming has been enabled, which items will have Protection Settings, what menus will receive new entries, where any new palettes will be placed, etc., etc.

Some similar preview might be useful for VI Package Configurations as well?
0

Save the VIPB file before the 'Post Build Action' is run

Ton Plomp 11 years ago updated by Michael Aivaliotis (VIPM Product Manager) 11 years ago 1

I have setup a post-build VI that checks all the changing files into our SCC.

However when I hit the 'Show package in VIPM' VIPM will resave the VIPB file with the new (for next build) version information, leaving me with a dirty project.


It would be nice if there were no alterations after the post-build VI.


Ton

Answer

Is this basically a request for NOT autosaving? Just want to clarify.

0

Disable Password Protection for Merge VIs

David Staab 10 years ago updated by Michael Aivaliotis (VIPM Product Manager) 10 years ago 1
Items with "Place VI Contents" enabled can't be password-protected. We currently have to find all of these VIs in the Source File Settings list and disable password protection inheritance on them manually. Why not do this automatically?
0

Allow Palettes to be generated for class and libraries in a package

Brian Shea 9 years ago 0
Allow palettes to be generated for classes and libraries much like they are created for the overall package. Currently, only one palette can be generated and attached to one class or library. Nice feature, but when a package has multiple classes or libraries, it's a bit limiting.
0

store dependency in VIP file (as in VIPC)

Bela Komoroczy 11 years ago updated by Michael Aivaliotis (VIPM Product Manager) 11 years ago 1

Problem Description: When I use the VI Package Builder, I can make a list of package dependencies, which becomes a .VIPC file in the root folder of VI Package.

Image 36

There is even a button in the "Package Dependencies" section to "Open VI Package Configuration". This opens up VIPC editor, where I can explicitly select for each entry if I want include only the link to the VIP or the whole VIP.

Image 35

After closing the VIPC editor I am still in the VI Package Builder. I makes me very confident that the settings I have made in the VIPC editor are valid for the VI package I am editing right now.

But apparently it not this way. It brings up some other problems, which are real problems (not just theoretical) to me:

If a VIP (call it a.vip) has a dependency(call it a_dep.vip) that is used in the Pre or Post-Install steps, than I start to have a dependency hierarchy. If a.vip is a dependency to a new new.vip than it's not enough anymore to just include the the a.vip and the a_dep.vip in a VIPC file with the new.vip. From this point on nothing guarantees that a_dep.vip will be installed before a.vip.


Idea:

The option to have VIP file dependencies copied into the VIP file should be possible in the future. I find it the easiest to just simply reflect the status of the packages in the .VIPC file. There could be a switch like "Import Stored packages from VIPC file?" to keep compatibility with previous versions of VIPM.

0

​Auto-exclude folders from VIPB source file settings by default

Pavithra 8 years ago 0

It will be nice to have a property/option to exclude newly added folders from package by default. As of now any new folder under Source directory is included in package as default, It will be nice to somehow exclude new folders by default.


I have situation where I feel this option will be very useful.


I and my team are creating lots of Instrument drivers for internal purpose and release them very frequently. We have all our code under Instrument Driver folder. Instrument Driver folder includes sub folder (category of instrument drivers like Power supply, RF etc) and menu files that needs to be deployed while installing packages. With help of menu files drivers will be shown up in LabVIEW functionally palette.Image 47

Image 48

Say to build Keithley 24xx, I need to include Instrument Driver as source directory and include Keithey 24xx folder and whole hierarchy of Instrument Driver menu files (ie the menu file directly inside Instrument Driver and the one inside Power Supply folder) and build package over it. Rest of the unnecessary folders are excluded from packages. Please see I need the whole hierarchy of menu files so that in the LabVIEW palette drivers are shown in the same level/folders as shown in window explorer (Instrument driver -> Power supply -> Keithley 24xx)


  1. Whenever a new folder or driver category is created under Instrument Driver, the next time in Keithley package, the new folder is included in the ‘Source file setting’ by default, which is NOT needed. So exclude folders by default will be helpful here.
  2. When there are multiples PC used for development purpose, there comes one more situation. VIPM removes file exclusions if source code folders aren't located on the machine where the build spec is being modified. So take the same example:
    1. A build spec is created on machine1 with this source directory: Instrument Driver
    2. Inside of that folder are several other folders: ...\Power Supply\Keithley 24xx, ...\Power Supply\Agilent E3631A, ...\RF\CMW, ...\Scope\Tektronix.
    3. In the source file settings ...\Power Supply\Agilent E3631A, ...\RF\CMW, ...\Scope\Tektronix are EXCLUDED from package
    4. The build spec is saved and closed
    5. The build spec is opened on machine2 that only has ...\Power Supply\Keithley 24xx folder
    6. VIPM will remove the folder exclusions properties of..\Power Supply\Agilent E3631A, ...\RF\CMW, ...\Scope\Tektronix (as folders are missing)
    7. The build spec is saved and closed
    8. The build spec is opened again on machine1
    9. The build will now include ..\Power Supply\Agilent E3631A, ...\RF\CMW, ...\Scope\Tektronix which were excluded first time but in the second build their properties were lost and now VIPM thinks they are newly encountered folders and include them by default.

This causes lots of issues and before each build developer has to verify the ‘Source file settings’ causing consumption of time.

0

Can VIPM sync the installed list in some host?

刘新元 9 years ago updated by Ashish Uttarwar 9 years ago 1
When we reinstall labview or PC crash, we can get the install all we had and install all package automatic. I think that would be cool.