How To Install
The VDM Run-Time Engine (RTE) can be installed in a few ways. It can be installed through an installer created on another computer (LabVIEW Help: Caveats and Recommendations for Building Installers), downloaded from the NI website (Drivers and Updates: Vision Development Module Run-Time) or installed from a CD or DVD.
If it is installed through an installer created on another computer it may likely include more than the simple RTE. It can be installed through the normal installation process. Whether it is installed normally from a custom installer, directly from the website or from a CD or DVD, this is the basic process that you will go through, taken from the downloadable version with no drivers included.
The LabVIEW RTE is not required if the application was not created in LabVIEW. This walk-through assumes that the LabVIEW RTE is already installed because more VDM applications are created in LabVIEW than in other languages. The installation shown here is a separate installation from the LabVIEW RTE installation. For applications created in text based languages (C++, .NET...), follow the process of deploying applications in those environments. Those considerations, either for LabVIEW or other environments, should be installed before running this installer.
Installation Steps
Initialization
At first the installer initializes. Installing this program may remove previous software versions that are currently installed. In this example no previous Vision software was installed; but, if this was being installed on a computer that had a previous version of the VDM RTE, it will be uninstalled and replaced. The VDM RTE 2009 will support applications written in previous versions back to IMAQ Vision 7.0. This is unlike the LabVIEW RTE which is version specific. For example, if an application was made in LabVIEW 8.6 with VDM 8.6 the LabVIEW RTE 8.6 is required but the VDM RTE 8.6 or 2009 may be used.
It is recommended that you exit all applications before running this installer. If virus scanning applications are disabled the installation speed may be improved. The VDM RTE has a License Agreement which must be accepted to install the program. The License Agreement is displayed in the fifth step.
When the initialization is complete you are able to proceed to the next step.
User Information
Your full name and organization are requested. If you select to install using a serial number, your purchased serial number may be entered. This will be used in step 8 for activation. The VDM RTE has a single seat license system. This means that each computer requires a unique serial number for activation.
For more information on licensing NI Vision software please refer to Licensing NI Vision Software.
Features
Then you are allowed to select the features to install. By default all options are installed. If you desire to deselect a feature click on the icon to the left of the feature and choose from the options in the left-click menu. When a feature is selected the disk space required by that feature is displayed. This will vary depending on the features installed.
If a computer already has NI software installed, other than the LabVIEW RTE, the icons may appear differently indicating that they are already installed. If a custom installer has more software than the RTE more items may appear here.
Product Notifications
The next step allows you to choose to allow the installer to contact NI to search for the latest notifications on the products you are installing. By leaving the box checked (default) you acknowledge that your IP address will be sent and collected in accordance with the NI Privacy Policy. You are able to review NI Privacy Policy. If you are not connected to the Internet you should deselect this box.
After the installer has contacted NI any notifications will be displayed. If there are notifications please review them before continuing the installation. If there are no notifications the following text will be displayed:
License Agreement(s)
Next, the License Agreement is displayed for review. By default the I do not accept the License Agreement radio button is selected and the installation cannot proceed. This is so the user may review the agreement and choose to accept it once it is reviewed. If there are other License Agreements for a custom installation they will be accessible for review through tabs at the top of the Agreement section.
Read the License Agreement(s) and select I do not accept the License Agreement to proceed. The full license agreement is not displayed in this image.
Installation Summary
The final step before installation is the installation summary. The summary may be saved to a file if desired. If the summary is not accurate you may click the Back button to change the installation settings. If it is correct click the Next button to begin the installation.
Installation
If the installation includes only the features shown above with only the LabVIEW RTE software on the computer there are four parts to the installation. The installation time will vary depending on the computer speed and number of applications running.
Activation
After the installation is complete activation is required or the software will run in evaluation mode. To activate the NI VDM RTE leave the check box checked (default). To run in evaluation mode deselect the check box.
If the check mark is left checked the NI Activation Wizard will open. Refer to the Activating NI Software Products for details on the activation process.
You must restart your computer to complete the installation. You will be prompted to Restart, Shut Down or Restart Later. If the installation included other drivers not shown in the walk-through you may need to install hardware. If this is the case shut down the computer and install the hardware before running the software.
Folder Structure
The installation shown here installs 147 files and 39 folders on top of the ones installed with the LabVIEW RTE 2009 at <root directory>\Program Files\National Instruments\. There are also a couple folders installed at <root directory>\Documents and Settings\All Users\Start Menu\Programs\National Instruments\. The size on disk can be determined from step 3.
Attached are two images of the folder structure installed. The first are the folders that are added to the default directory (<root directory>\Program Files\National Instruments\) not including the folders already present from the LabVIEW RTE 2009 installation. None of the folders installed with the LabVIEW RTE 2009 are removed but the image only shows those folders that are new with the VDM RTE 2009 installation. The second are the folders that are added at <root directory>\Documents and Settings\All Users\Start Menu\Programs\National Instruments\. The image shows both those folders installed with LabVIEW RTE 2009 and the VDM RTE 2009.