Integrating LabWindows™/CVI™ with Microsoft Visual C++

Issue Details

What options do I have for using LabWindows/CVI code in Microsoft Visual C++?

Solution

LabWindows/CVI provides two add-in wizards in Microsoft Visual C++ which are the LabWindows/CVI Project Wizard and LabWindows/CVI Conversion Wizard. The LabWindows/CVI Project Wizard creates a Visual C++ project that uses the LabWindows/CVI run-time libraries. The LabWindows/CVI Conversion Wizard converts an existing LabWindows/CVI project into a Visual C++ project. 

To use the wizards, follow the steps below: 

Visual C++ 2005

1. Select File >> New >> Project
2. Select Visual C++ >> LabWindows/CVI in the Project types pane
3. Choose either the LabWindows/CVI Project or LabWindows/CVI Conversion template from the Templates pane.

Visual C++ .NET 2003

1. Select File >> New >> Project.
2. Select Measurement Studio Projects >> CVI Projects in the Project Types pane.
3. Choose either the LabWindows/CVI Project or LabWindows/CVI Conversion template from the Templates pane.

Visual C++ 6.0

1. Select File >> New.
2. Select the NI Measurement Studio AppWizard project in the Projects tab.
3. After typing in the project name, click the OK button.
4. In the NI Measurement Studio AppWizard Step 1 dialog window, select the LabWindows/CVI Application option. This will bring up the LabWindows/CVI Application Wizard.
5. In the LabWindows/CVI Application Wizard dialog box, choose between creating a Visual C++ project that incorporates LabWindows/CVI run-time libraries or converting an existing LabWindows/CVI project into a new Visual C++ project.

Additional Information

If you do not have the wizards mentioned above, you will need to repair certain software. If you are using:

• Visual C++ 2005: Modify the LabWindows/CVI software and make sure that in the Features dialog box, the Tools >> Visual Studio 2005 Wizards component is enabled. 
• Visual C++ .NET 2003: Modify the Measurement Studio for .NET 2003 software and make sure that in the Features dialog box, the NI LabWindows/CVI Integration Tools component is enabled. 
• Visual C++ 6.0: Repair the NI Measurement Studio 6.0 software since there is no specific component to enable.

Alternative: If you do not wish to use the wizards mentioned above, another method of integrating LabWindows/CVI code into Visual C++ is to build your LabWindows/CVI code into a DLL and call that DLL from Visual C++. This White Paper walks through this alternative. You can also call C++ DLLs in CVI. 

Note 1. You can only use the LabWindows/CVI Conversion Wizard to convert projects created in LabWindows/CVI version 6.0 or later. 
Note 2. To use the Visual Studio 2005 wizards, you must have Microsoft Visual Studio 2005 Standard Edition or higher and LabWindows/CVI 8.0 and above. 
Note 3. Visual Studio 2005 refers to the "LabWindows/CVI Project Wizard" as "LabWindows/CVI Application Wizard".