When Programming RIOs, make it more obvious which of the 3 Targets the VI will execute on

[Petru.T]

Programming cRIO, sbRIO or myRIO is tricky for new users because of the 3 targets that you can develop VIs for: My Computer, Real-Time processor and FPGA.

Of course, it’s not hard to find out which target the current VI will execute on, by looking at the text below, or at the Project Explorer.

However, I think it will be useful to emphasize the target. I am not sure what the best implementation for this is - maybe you find a better one.

My suggestion would be more noticeable text, such as below:

[SteenSchmidt]

I'm in favor of some sort of better indication of target than the current one - not just for new users, but simply due to the fact that you need to hover over the target selector to see the full string.

I don't know exactly how it should be made better though, but I'm not too keen on the idea of just some more big text stating the target on the window border. First off I feel it lacks a bit finesse, second it would be just as (partially) hidden when the window size is small. So maybe a few other implementation ideas before I can kudo it?

Maybe a window frame color code for target type could help for starters? Gray as we have it for Desktop, a second hue for Real-Time, and a third one for FPGA (are there many other target types?). Then there's the question of seeing which project the current VI belongs to - perhaps some other indication (like all windows not belonging to the project your VI in focus belongs to being dimmed/translucent)?

Somehow I feel the current text string has too many inherent limitations and drawbacks (especially with display space needed).

/Steen

[P@Anand]

Is this not sufficient?

[Darin.K]

I want an icon/glyph/picture/artist rendition/sketch/hieroglyphic/rendering of the target type to accompany the wall of text.  If it were me I would elimante the text entirely and make it a tip strip when I hover over the picture, since I usually have to hover over the target area to read the full text anyway.

[GregSands]

I like Darin's suggestion, but instead of putting yet another icon into the window, what about changing the icon in the top-left corner of the title bar?  Then it would also be visible in the Taskbar.  Ideally, that should already be different for libraries/projects etc.

[crossrulz]

I fully agree with GregS.  Changing the winow icon would likely be the best route to go.

[ThiCop]

Maybe not directly linked, but for RT Targets it might also be useful to by default also directly show the IP-address of the target.

Please note that I say "might", because this could easily lead to an overflow of information in the title bar and the name of the RT Target should also provide enough information on itself.