Sensor Mapping

Maps real-world data onto a 3D model.

Use the Sensor Mapping Express VI to wire an array of data values to represent sensors you configure using the dialog box options below.


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Dialog Box Options

Option Description
Load Model
Displays a file dialog box you can use to navigate to a file of a 3D model you create using a CAD program. LabVIEW supports the following file formats for three-dimensional object models:
  • Virtual Reality Modeling Language (VRML)
  • Stereolithography (STL)
Note VRML files commonly appear with a .wrl file extension.
Model Path

Specifies the path to the 3D model you want to load.
Sensor Canvas

Displays the 3D model. Right-click the 3D model on the sensor canvas to place free sensors. You can configure sensors to represent NI-DAQmx channels or create free sensors to represent data you wire to the Express VI.
Draw Style
Determines how LabVIEW draws the 3D model. Use this option to ensure accurate placement of the sensors. Select from the following options:
  • Points—Draws the model by placing points at the vertices of the object.
  • Wireframe+Polygons—Draws the model with line segments that connect at the vertices to form a bounded geometry on top of the fully bounded and filled geometric 3D model.
  • Wireframe—Draws the model with line segments that connect at the vertices to form a bounded geometry.
  • Polygons—Draws the model with a fully bounded and filled geometry.
Sensor Size

Determines the size of the sensors you place on the 3D model. Use this option to ensure accurate placement of the sensors.
DAQmx Task Name

Lists all NI-DAQmx tasks you create and save. Selecting a NI-DAQmx task from the pull-down menu populates the Channels List with the channels for the task.

Note The DAQmx Task Name option does not appear unless you install NI-DAQmx. Refer to the DAQ Getting Started Guide for more information about installing NI-DAQmx. Refer to the NI-DAQmx Help for more information about using NI-DAQmx channels.
Channels List

Lists DAQ channels and free sensors. Select a DAQmx task from the pull-down menu. LabVIEW populates the Channels List with the channels for the DAQmx task. Drag and drop DAQmx task channels from the list to place sensors on the 3D model. You also can right-click the 3D model to place free sensors on the model.
Delete Sensor

Removes a sensor from the 3D model. Select a sensor in the Channels List and click the Delete Sensor button to remove the sensor from the list. Deleting a sensor from the 3D model does not delete the channel from the DAQmx task.
Color Ramp

Configures the minimum and maximum value ranges for the incoming data. For example, if you change the color ramp minimum to 100 and the maximum to 200, the data values should range from 100–200. After you set the value range, click the top and bottom out-of-range colors to configure the colors to indicate if a value is outside of the value range you set.

Right-click the Color Ramp control and use the shortcut menu items to customize the appearance, size, colors, and number of colors.

Inputs/Outputs

  • c1ddbl.png Sensor Values —

    Contains the sensor values. Wire a 1D array of double-precision, floating-point numbers whose positions correspond to the order you configure the sensors in the Configure Sensors dialog box.

  • cerrcodeclst.png error in (no error) —

    Describes error conditions that occur before this node runs.

  • ierrcodeclst.png error out —

    Contains error information. This output provides standard error out functionality.

  • isobjref.png Scene Ref Out —

    Returns a reference to a 3D scene object. Wire this output to the 3D picture control to add a 3D picture control to the front panel window and view the 3D model.

    • Configuring the Draw Style or Sensor Size options in the Configure Sensors dialog box does not affect the appearance of the 3D model in the front panel window when the VI runs. The sensors do not appear on the 3D model when the VI runs.