Overview
GLE is a scripting language which gives real flexibility in creating publication quality figures, including vector graphic output formats ( http://glx.sourceforge.net/index.html ). This demo project is just an example to show how to use GLE from LabVIEW in a limited way (via System Exec).
Description
I have found GLE very useful in the last years, specially because of its fast learning curve and easy command line usage. GLE supports LaTeX too, so easy to create publication quality ps/eps figures/graphs for articles, university thesis, etc using LaTeX. This example code demonstrates how to automatize some common features in GLE, and can create output files in several formats: jpg, png (including transparent option), ps, eps, and pdf. Note that, for ps/eps we only need GLE to be installed on the PC (and a LaTeX package if we wish to use it for the graphs' text). To be able to create jpg/png/pdf files, GLE relies on GhostScript to be installed on the target PC.
This code creates a GLE script file based on user inputs, and then by calling the "System Exec.vi", it compiles it into the required output file format., thus automatizing/speeding up the often slow manual procedure. The code shows how to use GLE to create quality figures (as a png file which can be loaded into LV) for LabVIEW 2D Picture indicators and how to rescale them depending on the indicator size. Due to the required compile time this library is not intended to be a live plotting option, but more as a static graph/figure creator.
It is possible to access the GLE source files and functions to call them directly, but for easy interface creation I decided only to use the command line option (System Exec VI). Another reason to do so is that, the option to generate and keep the .gle and ascii data files. This can be very useful when we have to change GLE figures manually later (to match journal or report format requirements, etc.).
Finally, this is only a demo example which recently fulfills my needs for our projects. Feel free to modify the library as you need. Here I have only implemented a very limited feature set, if you have GLE and not LabVIEW related question, please refer to the GLE manual or mail list forum! GLE is much much more than what is shown in this LabVIEW interface, browse the example page what kind of things can be created with this very useful tool: http://glx.sourceforge.net/examples/index.html
All credits to the developers of GLE!
Steps to Implement or Execute Code
- Open the project file, and open the "MAIN_sandbox.vi"!
- Launch the VI, and select a filename for output file path ("Specify file path" control).
- The VI saved with some test data, and some input controls are saved with their values as default to easily demonstrate the usage of the library.
- The "Generate Plot!" button creates and shows a png file based on the configured GLE script file.
- At the "Generated GLE script" Tab, experiment with the different file types which GLE is able to create ("Generate file!").
Additional Information or References
GLE website: http://glx.sourceforge.net/index.html
Since I only use GLE and LabVIEW for non commercial projects, please refer to the webpages for licensing information. I do not own any rights, etc...The zipped projects do not include any GLE or GhostScript installers or binaries, the users can download these via the given links.
Some screenshots from the project:
