Getting started: SHALL-LabVIEW#

This section will give you an overview of the SHALL-LabVIEW integration for SECoP

The package allows the creation of SEC nodes in LabVIEW. It’s interface is designed to be easily integrated into existing projects. The package uses the SHALL libraries at its core to handle all SECoP communication and message handling.

Note: The VIs in this project have been built using LabVIEW 2023. The Releases are also available for LabVIEW2019 in the Release Assets.

Installation#

1. Getting the Source#

You can either clone the project directly, which will give you the latest version of the project, or select a Release , where you can also download a version that has been exported for LabVIEW 2019.

Clone the Repository: .. code:: bash

Depending on your LabVIEW version you will able to use the Project as is, or export it for the specific version of LabVIEW you have installed.

2. Setting Up the Platforms Folder#

In order for the Qt libraries to work properly, a softlink must be created to the platforms folder (PLATFORMS_PATH = ./shall-labview/[32bit|64bit]/platforms) inside your LabVIEW installation directory.

First, determine if you have the 32-bit or 64-bit version of LabVIEW installed. And where the installation directory is. From here on I will refer to the installation directory as LABVIEW_PATH:

  • 32bit is usually located under:

    LABVIEW_PATH = C:\Program Files (x86)\National Instruments\LabVIEW 20XX

  • 64bit is usually located under:

    LABVIEW_PATH = C:\Program Files\National Instruments\LabVIEW 20XX

Next you also need the path PLATFORMS_PATH to the correct platforms folder :

  • LabVIEW 32bit –> PLATFORMS_PATH = ...\shall-labview\32bit\platforms

  • LabVIEW 64bit –> PLATFORMS_PATH = ...\shall-labview\64bit\platforms

Finally, create the symbolic link inside the LabVIEW installation directory

mklink /d LABVIEW_PATH\platforms PLATFORMS_PATH

3. Check your installation#

To check if your installation was successful, you can open the SECoP.lvproj project file and open random-demo/dcy03.vi before running the VI, the correct DLL path must be entered.

It is the same as PLATFORMS_PATH minus the /platforms postfix. It should look something like this:

https://github.com/user-attachments/assets/8659c9a4-fd4a-4949-a38d-d4110855eadf 
D:\shall-repos\shall-labview\64bit

or

D:\shall-repos\shall-labview\32bit

If you entered the DLL path correctly and run the Vi, a small SECoP Status window should open.

Creating a SEC Node#

For a detailed tutorial on how to create and manage SEC nodes using SHALL-LabVIEW please refer to the SHALL-LabVIEW Wiki.