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Rule 3.8
Use system controls for desktop dialogs; use 3D controls for industrial dialogs
Custom dialog VIs can be developed for desktop as well as industrial applications. For desktop applications, simply
set the Window Appearance property to Dialog and use only system style controls from the System palette. You set the
Dialog window appearance from File»VI Properties»Window Appearance. The panel background color, modal behavior, and
other properties are selected to resemble an operating system dialog. Likewise, the controls, indicators, and decorations
available from the System palette resemble the style of objects used by the operating system. Use only the Dialog window
appearance and System controls, to maximize consistency with operating system dialogs.
Although maintaining operating system consistency is desirable for desktop applications, it is generally undesirable
for industrial applications. Instead, industrial GUI VIs, including dialogs, should complement the industrial application
and equipment they are designed for. As discussed, this usually means larger panels, objects, and text. 3D style controls
have a larger and more industrial appearance, and help improve visibility over dialog or classic style controls.
Rule 3.9
Enlarge and center the objects of an industrial GUI VI in proportion to their importance
The default size of LabVIEW's controls and indicators is adequate for most desktop GUI VIs but is not sufficient for
many industrial GUI VIs. Important objects on an industrial GUI should be readily visible from several feet away from
the monitor. The more important the object is, the more prominent it should appear. The object's size and location help
distinguish its importance. Larger and more centered objects are the most visible. Resize important controls and
indicators larger than the default, and position them near the center of the screen.
Figure 3-3 shows separate desktop and industrial versions of a custom dialog VI used for stereo receiver measurements.
The VI prompts the user to configure some test parameters and adjust the volume control of the receiver being tested.
The VI controls a signal generator while monitoring the receiver's audio output level. The desktop version in Figure
3-3A is comprised of a panel with Dialog Window Appearance and controls from the System palette. All the controls,
indicators, and text have default size and appearance, consistent with the GUI standards for the operating system. This
forces the user to be physically close to the monitor and to examine all the controls. The desktop dialog VI is well
suited for an R&D lab, where the user closely monitors the application, and can use any combination of control values
with equal priority.
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