DIAdem GettingStarted
DIAdem GettingStarted
NI DIAdem
Getting Started with DIAdem
June 2019
373422R-01
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Chapter 1
Introduction to DIAdem
Working with DIAdem ..................................................................................................... 1-1
Introduction Screen........................................................................................................... 1-3
Chapter 2
Finding Data
Mining Data...................................................................................................................... 2-1
Executing a Quick Search......................................................................................... 2-1
Executing an Advanced Search ................................................................................ 2-2
Browsing in Data Sets ...................................................................................................... 2-4
Loading and Managing Data ............................................................................................ 2-5
Saving Data............................................................................................................... 2-6
Summary........................................................................................................................... 2-7
Chapter 3
Viewing and Evaluating Data
Viewing Curves ................................................................................................................ 3-1
Editing Curves .................................................................................................................. 3-2
Measuring Curves..................................................................................................... 3-2
Copying Curve Sections ........................................................................................... 3-3
Editing Data in Channel Tables........................................................................................ 3-4
Summary........................................................................................................................... 3-6
Chapter 4
Analyzing Data with Mathematical Functions
Using Mathematical Standard Functions.......................................................................... 4-1
Calculating the Sum of Channel Values................................................................... 4-2
Averaging Channels ................................................................................................. 4-3
Calculating with the Units Catalog................................................................................... 4-4
Calculating Formulas with the Calculator ........................................................................ 4-6
Summary........................................................................................................................... 4-7
Chapter 5
Creating Reports
Creating Axis Systems...................................................................................................... 5-1
Editing Axis Systems................................................................................................ 5-2
Graphics and Lines ........................................................................................................... 5-3
Using Text and Variables as Labels ................................................................................. 5-4
Adding and Formatting Channel Properties ............................................................. 5-4
Summary ........................................................................................................................... 5-6
Chapter 6
Automating Sequences
Creating Scripts................................................................................................................. 6-1
Editing Scripts................................................................................................................... 6-3
Testing Scripts .................................................................................................................. 6-5
Summary ........................................................................................................................... 6-6
Chapter 7
Data Acquisition and Visualization
Acquiring Measurement Data ...........................................................................................7-1
Saving Measurement Data ................................................................................................ 7-3
Monitoring Measurement Signals..................................................................................... 7-4
Visualizing Measurements................................................................................................ 7-6
Summary ........................................................................................................................... 7-8
Appendix A
NI Services
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About This Manual
You can use this manual to familiarize yourself with DIAdem functions and how to use them.
Each chapter describes a DIAdem panel.
This manual contains exercises for finding, analyzing, and presenting data, and for automating
each step of the process. These short exercises make it easier for you to get started with DIAdem.
At the end of each chapter there is a summary of the most important contents.
Related Documentation
For more information on DIAdem, refer to the following documentation:
• DIAdem Help
You can open the DIAdem Help in every dialog box with the Help button, or in the menu
Help»Content, or with <F1>. The DIAdem Help offers procedures and dialog box help for
each panel, and references for programmers.
The introduction to the DIAdem help explains the structure of DIAdem and how to use
DIAdem to find data, to run analyses, to create reports, and to combine all functions in a
script.
• SystemLink TDM Help
With SystemLink TDM, you handle data and evaluations centrally on a server.
SystemLink TDM has applications for data indexing, data preparation, and analysis
automation. The client user uses Data Navigation to navigate and search in indexed data
and Data Analysis to check shared automation tasks.
With DIAdem as your developing environment, you can create and test analysis scripts and
automated report generation.
The DataFinder enables you to find test data quickly and easily, and to identify corresponding
data. Using DataFinder does not require a database or IT support, but is ready to use immediately
after installing DIAdem.
• With DIAdem DAC and DIAdem VISUAL you acquire data, control processes, and
visualize data. In DIAdem DAC you create block diagrams to acquire measured values, and
to process and to output the data online. In DIAdem VISUAL you design the visualization
screen, display the acquired and calculated measurement values, and influence the
measurement with input instruments.
When you select a panel, the user interface changes so that you can quickly access the functions
you want. Each DIAdem panel has, as shown in Figure 1-1, its own group bar to the right of the
panel bar. Open a group bar, click a function group, and select a function. The workspace also
changes with the DIAdem panel and displays a folder hierarchy or a worksheet. The toolbars and
the context menus contain frequently used functions, which DIAdem also adapts to the selected
panel.
Figure 1-1. The Elements of the DIAdem User Interface
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Getting Started with DIAdem
Introduction Screen
When you launch DIAdem, the DIAdem introduction screen appears.
Visit NI's DIAdem channel on YouTube to learn how to use DIAdem. Short videos show how to
present data in a report, how to synchronize measurement data with a video of the experiment,
or how to automate the many steps of an interactive evaluation.
Open the Examples Gallery to load and run examples in DIAdem or to use them as templates for
your own applications. The table of contents of the ExampleFinder contains procedures which
are step-by-step instructions for the solution of certain tasks.
Note If the introduction screen does not appear when DIAdem launches, select
Help»Introduction to open the introduction screen.
Mining Data
Use the Quick Search to search for a term if you do not know whether the property belongs to
a file, a group, or a channel. Use the Advanced Search to combine multiple search conditions
and describe exactly what properties you are looking for.
The file browser in the NAVIGATOR panel offers external data in a tree structure.
2. In the search input area, type Weather to find all data sets that contain the term Weather.
3. Click Search.
In the quick search DIAdem does not distinguish whether the data set contains the term as
the name or the property of a file, of a channel group, or of a channel. DIAdem displays all
files containing the term Weather or compound terms such as Weather data in the
search results, as shown in Figure 2-1.
Figure 2-1. Search Results of the Quick Search
2. In the Level column of the first row, click File and select Group.
a. Click <Enter a property> in the Property column of the first row and select Name.
b. Click the button with the three dots at the end of the first line. DIAdem lists the names
of all the groups found.
c. Double-click the group name Weather.
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Note If the list does not contain the term Weather, DIAdem has not yet indexed
all sample files. Select Settings»MyDataFinder»Configure»Indexer»StartNow to
start indexing.
Define another search condition in the second row to specify the search more accurately.
3. In the Level column of the second row, click File and select Channel.
a. Click <Enter a property> in the Property column of the second row and select
Name.
b. Click the button with the three dots at the end of the second row. DIAdem lists the
names of all the found channels, as shown in Figure 2-2.
c. Double-click the channel name Precipitation.
Figure 2-2. Selection List with the Channel Names of the Indexed Data
As you can see in the logical operations line below the search conditions, DIAdem connects
several search conditions with the AND operator by default.
4. Replace AND with OR in the logical operations line for the following operation:
C1 OR C2
5. Click Search.
DIAdem displays the Search Results as shown in Figure 2-3. Each of the files found
contains either a group called Weather or a channel called Precipitation.
Figure 2-3. Search Results of the Advanced Search
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channel, the channel preview to the right of the properties display shows the channel data as
a curve.
Figure 2-4. Browsing the Found Files in the File Browser
3. Drag and drop the selected channel group into the Data Portal.
The Data Portal displays the new channel group Weather with all channels, as shown in
Figure 2-5. If you select a channel, the channel preview of the Data Portal displays the
channel data as a curve.
Figure 2-5. Loading Data from the File Browser to the Data Portal
Note If you modify data in the Data Portal, DIAdem does not automatically save
these changes. The changes are executed only in the memory and not in the data file
from which you loaded the data. This enables you to experiment with data without
modifying the original data.
Saving Data
In the Data Portal, click Save to overwrite the Data1.tdm file with the current data from the
Data Portal. To save the data of the Data Portal in another location under a different name, carry
out the following steps.
4. In the National Instruments folder, navigate to the DIAdem Data folder.
5. Select the Weather channel group in the Data Portal.
6. Drag and drop the Weather channel group onto the Data folder.
7. Enter Weather data in the Save As file name dialog box.
8. Change the file type to National Instruments TDM Files (*.tdm).
9. Click Save.
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Summary
The summary provides an overview of the topics discussed in this chapter. It also includes
additional information.
DataFinder
In the search input area of the DataFinder, you enter search conditions to find your data. You can
also drag and drop properties from the properties display of the Data Portal or of the file browser
into the search input area. In the logical operations line, you connect the search conditions with
AND and OR and use parentheses to specify queries more precisely. DIAdem lists the files
found in the search areas on the Search Results tab.
SystemLink TDM
SystemLink TDM's DataFinder instances index data files on the network and allow multiple
DIAdem users to access common search areas simultaneously. You can enable security settings
and use archiving systems.
Search Areas
Search areas are folders of the file system, which the DataFinder indexes. Select
Settings»MyDataFinder»Configure to modify the search areas of the DataFinder.
File Browser
The File Browser displays the files of the search areas in a tree structure. Right-click the empty
space of the file browser to open the context menu and hide or show the folders of the local file
system in a separate tree.
Tip To highlight multiple channels in the Data Portal without using the <Shift> or
<Ctrl> keys, click the icons next to the channel name. DIAdem displays a cursor with
a plus sign.
Channel groups
Channel groups contain channels and descriptive properties of the channel groups. Use different
channel groups to organize your data. You can define a channel group as a default group, for
example, to automatically group together all the calculation results from DIAdem ANALYSIS.
DIAdem displays the group name of the default group in bold type.
Channels
Channels contain data series which you either measured, loaded from an external data set, or
calculated with DIAdem. DIAdem distinguishes numeric channels, xy-channels, waveform
channels, time channels, and text channels. Numeric channels contain numeric values,
waveform channels contain numeric values and the associated x-channel, time channels contain
time values, and text channels contain text.
Properties
Properties are information about the data, which DIAdem saves with the data series in a TDM
file. The data set properties contain the name of the author and the storage date, the channel
group properties contain the name of the measurement and comments, and the channel
properties contain the data type and the channel unit. In addition to the standard properties, you
can create your own custom properties for the data set, the channel group, and the channel.
DIAdem displays the properties in the properties displays of the file browser and of the Data
Portal.
Units Catalog
The channel unit is a special channel property because you can organize the channel units in the
units catalog. Use the units catalog to assign a physical quantity and a unit to measurement
values, for example, the quantity speed and the unit kilometers per hour. If you assign the unit
mile per hour from the units catalog to the speed channel, DIAdem can convert the channel
values.
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Viewing and Evaluating Data
3
Use DIAdem VIEW to view, to analyze, and to edit data as curves in axis systems. In channel
tables you can edit and delete the data as values and enter new data. You synchronize videos or
the map display of a test drive with data.
Viewing Curves
To view the loaded data set in an axis system, complete the following steps.
Note If you did not complete the exercise in the previous chapter, delete the current
data from the Data Portal and load the Data1.tdm data set from the DIAdem Data
folder. You can find this folder in the DIAdem NAVIGATOR file browser in the
National Instruments search area.
Note Each panel has its own group bar on the left. When you click a button on the
group bar, DIAdem opens the function group where you can select a function.
4. In the Data Portal, select the numeric channels T_max and T_min by clicking the symbol
in front of the channel name. The cursor changes its color and displays a plus sign.
5. Drag and drop the two channels selected in the Data Portal into the upper worksheet area.
6. Select 2D Axis System in the selection dialog box.
Note If you select multiple numeric channels in the Data Portal and drag them into
an axis system, DIAdem assigns the first selected channel to the x-axis. If you select
only one channel, DIAdem uses the index to display a numeric channel, and uses the
x-channel to display an xy-channel and a waveform channel.
Editing Curves
In DIAdem VIEW you can measure curves, and copy, delete, and interpolate curve sections. Use
the curve cursor, the maximum values cursor, or the minimum values cursor on the DIAdem
VIEW toolbar to measure a curve. To edit curve sections, use the flag functions on the axis
system toolbar. The functions on the toolbar of the axis system influence the curves in the
associated axis system, whereas the functions on the DIAdem VIEW toolbar influence all areas.
Measuring Curves
To follow the curve points with the curve cursor in an axis system, complete the following steps.
1. Click Curve Cursor on the tool bar.
2. Click the axis system and move the curve cursor along the curve.
DIAdem displays the x-values and the y-values of the curve points in a tooltip next to the
crosshair cursor that follows the cursor.
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3. Click the red circle in the legend at the right edge of the axis system to select the other curve
as the leading curve.
Note You can use the second check box next to the curve symbol to hide and show
the curve in the axis system.
DIAdem displays the coordinates of the new leading curve in the tooltip.
Note If you press <Shift> at the same time, DIAdem flags the points of all curves
in this period.
4. Click Flags: Copy Data Points in the toolbar of the axis system to copy the data of the
selected curve points to new channels.
In the Data Portal, DIAdem creates a time channel and a numeric channel with the values
of the copied curve section.
5. Drag and drop the new channels into the bottom workspace.
6. Select 2D Axis System. DIAdem displays the copied curve section, as shown in Figure 3-2.
Figure 3-2. Selecting Curve Sections and Copying them into the Data Portal
7. On the DIAdem VIEW toolbar, click Remove Flags from All Data to disable the selection.
To edit values in a channel table and to generate new values, complete the following steps.
1. Open the function group Assigned Worksheet Partitions and select Channel Table.
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DIAdem also displays the new value in the curve in the bottom axis system on the previous
worksheet.
5. Right-click next to the channel table or into an empty column and select Create New
Channel from the context menu.
a. Enter the channel name Generated_Channel.
b. Click OK to create the new channel in the channel table and display it in the Data
Portal.
6. Right-click the first cell of the empty column Generated_Channel and select Generate
from the context menu.
a. Enter 0.5 as the step width and 100 as the number of values.
b. Click OK to create the channel values.
DIAdem displays the channel table, as shown in Figure 3-3.
Figure 3-3. Editing and Generating Data in Channel Tables
To use the layout with all worksheets as a template for similar data sets, click Save Layout As
in the DIAdem VIEW toolbar.
Summary
The summary provides an overview of the topics discussed in this chapter. It also includes
additional information.
Layouts
A layout can contain several worksheets. DIAdem saves layouts separately from the channels.
You can reuse the layout as a template for data sets with a similar structure.
Areas
Partition worksheets into areas to insert axis systems, channel tables, videos, contours, maps,
dialog boxes, text, and images. You can move the separating bars to resize any area in a
worksheet. Use the Assigned Worksheet Partitions function group to add new worksheets with
predefined areas to a layout.
Axis Systems
DIAdem VIEW provides 2D axis systems, polar axis systems, Bode axis systems, orbit axis
systems, and shaft centerline axis systems which all display data as curves. In 2D axis systems
you can display data as spikes or stair curves and add constants. To insert data into an axis
system, drag and drop channels from the Data Portal into an axis system. Use the band cursor
and the frame cursor to zoom curve sections. You open the legend on the right side of an axis
system.
Graphics Cursor
DIAdem VIEW offers various graphics cursors for evaluating curves in axis systems. The free
cursor moves freely in the axis system and the curve cursor follows the curve from curve point
to curve point. Other graphics cursors determine the maximum values and the minimum values
of a curve. If an axis system contains several curves, the graphics cursor follows the leading
curve that you specify with the radio buttons in the legend. DIAdem synchronizes all cursors of
a worksheet with each other and with videos.
Flags
Use the band cursor and the frame cursor to mark curve sections with flags, to delete, to copy,
or to recalculate the marked curve points.
Channel Tables
In channel tables you view the individual values of all channel types, edit the values and add new
values or channels. In the display properties of a channel table, you can specify whether a
channel table only displays the channels that were dragged and dropped into the table or whether
the channel table automatically displays all channels of a group or of the Data Portal.
Videos
In video areas you show videos. If you display the associated measured values as curves in an
axis system, you can move a graphics cursor along the curves to display the video frame
associated with each measurement value. Double-click an empty video area to insert a video.
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Contours
In contour areas you display 3D data two-dimensionally by displaying the third dimension of the
data as a color value and with isolines. You can use a contour display, for example, to display
and to analyze characteristic diagrams. If you move the graphics cursor over a contour, DIAdem
displays the associated isolines dynamically. You can save the data of every associated isoline
and also the x-parallel and y-parallel intersection in the Data Portal.
Cascades
In cascade areas, for example, you can display oscillation data as a waterfall by mapping the
oscillation amplitude over the frequency as a cascade in consecutive tracks. You can zoom into
interesting areas and move over them with different measurement cursors. You can also show
dynamic and static order lines, which help evaluate the rpm-related vibrations.
Maps
In map areas you display geographic data in map sections. For example, you can follow the route
of a test drive when you move the graphics cursor in an axis system along the data, such as
consumption, RPM, and torque, collected during the test drive. To do so, enter the recorded
longitude and latitude and, for example, the time channel for synchronization.
Dialog Boxes
In dialog boxes you enter values, check settings, or start functions to change the displays in other
areas of the layout during the analysis. You can include every user dialog box to which you
added the VIEWConnector control in the dialog editor of DIAdem SCRIPT.
Note If you did not complete the exercise in the previous chapter, delete the current
data from the Data Portal and load the Data2.tdm data set from the DIAdem Data
folder. You can find this folder in the file browser of DIAdem NAVIGATOR in the
National Instruments search area.
To create a new group for the calculation results, complete the following steps.
1. Select DIAdem ANALYSIS.
2. Right-click in the Data Portal and select New»Group from the context menu.
3. Enter Results as the Name. Enable the checkbox Set default group.
4. Click OK.
DIAdem displays the name of the default group in blue font in the Data Portal.
Tip To check in which rows the precipitation of the year 2012 is located, switch to
DIAdem VIEW and load the channels Month and Precipitation sum into a
channel table. The Month channel contains the time values for the monthly
precipitation totals.
Note On the Characteristic Values 2 tab, click All off if characteristic values
have already been selected.
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Getting Started with DIAdem
DIAdem displays the Descriptive Statistics dialog box, as shown in Figure 4-1. The dialog
box displays the channel preview of the precipitation sum in the top right-hand corner and
displays the result data below the channel preview.
Figure 4-1. Precipitation Summation in Sections
Note If you want to perform further calculations using this standard function, click
Calculate. The dialog box remains open for further entries.
7. In the Data Portal, click [1]/Precipitation sum and open the property Custom
properties»ResultStatSum.
8. Right-click Sum and choose Rename. Enter Result~Precipitation_2012 as the
property name and press <Enter>.
Averaging Channels
To calculate the average monthly temperatures, complete the following steps.
1. In the Channel Functions function group, select Average Channels.
4. Click OK.
5. Right-click Results/Mean in the Data Portal and select Rename. Enter Temperatures
as the channel name and press <Enter>.
To convert the calculated average monthly temperatures from degrees Celsius to degrees
Fahrenheit, complete the following steps.
1. In the Channel Functions function group, select Convert Channel Unit.
2. The Channel input field in the Channel to be calculated section contains the
[2]/Temperatures channel.
If you see a different channel, select Results/Temperatures and drag and drop the
selected channel into the input field.
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Getting Started with DIAdem
4. Click OK.
5. Right-click Results/UnitConverted in the Data Portal and select Rename. Enter the
channel name Temperatures_F and press <Enter>.
Note You can also convert channel data to another unit in the Data Portal. To do so,
click the unit entry field in the properties display and click the button with the three
dots to open the Symbol Input Help dialog box.
DIAdem ANALYSIS displays a record of the calculations, as shown in Figure 4-4, and the Data
Portal displays new channels with the calculation results.
Note Click Export ANALYSIS Log on the toolbar to save the calculation log as
HTML file.
Refer to Figure 5-3 in the next chapter to view the curves of the average temperatures and the
annual precipitation.
To calculate the difference between maximum monthly temperatures and average temperatures,
complete the following steps.
1. Click Calculator on the toolbar.
2. Enter the following formula in the Calculator entry field.
Ch("Results/TmMax_Diff")=Ch("[1]/Tm_max")-Ch("[2]/Temperatures")
Tip Instead of typing in the entire formula, copy this line and paste it into the
Calculator.
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3. Click the Calculate button and exit the dialog box through the red close window button.
DIAdem adds the new channel TmMax_Diff to the Results channel group in the Data
Portal.
Summary
The summary provides an overview of the topics discussed in this chapter. It also includes
additional information.
Mathematical Functions
DIAdem ANALYSIS offers a variety of standard functions for analyzing your data. You assign
input channels to standard functions, set parameters, and execute the calculation. Click OK to
execute a calculation once and to close the dialog box. Click Calculate to execute several
calculations with the same standard function.
Result Channels
DIAdem ANALYSIS saves calculation results in new channels. This enables you to calculate
new data without overwriting the existing channels. In most dialog boxes of the standard
functions, you can select Store result in original channel to overwrite the existing channels.
Custom Properties
Some standard functions, such as descriptive statistics or approximation store the calculated
characteristic values as custom properties in the result or input channels.
Default Group
DIAdem stores the result channels of a calculation in the default group in the Data Portal. In the
context menu you can define a different group as the default group. DIAdem displays the group
name of the default group in blue font.
Calculator
Use the Calculator to specify your own formulas for analyzing data. The Calculator has
functions that range from simple arithmetic functions to advanced scientific and engineering
functions. Use the Calculator to calculate channels, variables, and single values. DIAdem stores
the results in channels or variables.
Units
If you assign units from the units catalog to the original channels, DIAdem automatically
determines the unit of the result channels. Based on the physical quantities and units of the
original channels, the division of distance by time results in a speed with the unit kilometers per
hour, for example. Settings»Units allows you to add your own units and define unit sets with
preferred units.
Calculation Manager
To execute recurring analysis sequences with a mouse-click you can define simple as well as
complex calculations in the calculation manager. An analysis sequence can contain user-specific
formulas and default functions and can combine calculations when one calculation step accesses
the result from a different calculation step.
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Creating Reports
5
Use DIAdem REPORT to document data and present results. In 2D and 3D axis systems, you
display your data as curves, bar diagrams, and surfaces. In 2D and 3D tables, you list channel
contents. You can label your report with comments and text and illustrate the report with
graphics and formulas. You use the Chart Wizard to create and modify 2D axis systems and
polar axis systems.
Note If you did not complete the exercise in the previous chapter, delete the current
data from the Data Portal and load the Data3.tdm data set from the DIAdem Data
folder. You can find this folder in the file browser of DIAdem NAVIGATOR in the
National Instruments search area.
In Step 1 you select the diagram type. In Step 2 you add or delete curves. In Step 3 you
specify the diagram display on several tabs. The preview, as shown in Figure 5-1, directly
displays how the diagram changes.
5. Select the Lines diagram type, and then click the Lines with Multiple Y-Axes subtype.
Figure 5-1. The Chart Wizard Displays the Preview in the Worksheet
Tip You can open the Chart Wizard from several locations in DIAdem REPORT. If
you want to display curves with various x-channels, open the Chart Wizard on the
toolbar. If you want to insert axis systems into the current worksheet, open the Chart
Wizard from the 2D Axis Systems function group or the Polar Axis Systems
function group. If you want to edit an axis system, open the Chart Wizard from the
context menu of the axis system.
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1. Double-click the red curve of the precipitation sum to open the associated curve parameter.
2. Select the Bars Display type and the 2D Bars Display mode.
3. Select the Filling color Blue and a Right diagonal Filling.
4. Click OK.
DIAdem displays the worksheet, as shown in Figure 5-2.
Figure 5-2. DIAdem Displays the Precipitation as Bars
5. Click once into a free space in the axis system to select the axis system.
6. To reduce the width of the axis system, move the small square in the middle of the right
edge of the selected axis system to the left.
To prepare a description field on the right of the worksheet, complete the following steps.
1. Open the function group Lines and Arrows and select Continuous Vertical Line.
2. In the worksheet, click into the textbox at the top and type Weather Report.
3. Press <Enter> and enter @@CurrDate@@ in the second row.
4. Click outside the text to conclude the entry.
5. Click the text. To resize the text, drag the small squares at the corners of the text with the
mouse.
To add a channel property to your report and to edit the channel property, complete the following
steps.
1. In the Data Portal, click [1]/Precipitation sum and open the property
Result»Precipitation_2012.
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Getting Started with DIAdem
To use the layout as a template for similar data sets, click Save Layout As.
Summary
The summary provides an overview of the topics discussed in this chapter. It also includes
additional information.
Layouts
A layout can contain several worksheets. DIAdem saves layouts separately from the channels.
You can reuse layouts as templates for data sets with a similar structure.
Worksheets
Worksheets contain axis systems, tables, text, formulas, and graphics. To add data to the
worksheet, drag and drop channels from the Data Portal into axis systems and tables. In addition
to selecting data channels from the Data Portal, you also can add data channels by
double-clicking an axis system or a table.
Export your report as PDF, XPS, and HTML files or individual pages as graphics in various
formats, such as PNG, JPG, GIF, TIF, and EMF. Under Settings»Layout Setup»Layout
Parameters you can add custom properties to a report, for example, the name of a test sequence,
in order to search for this property with DataFinder.
Master Layout
Use a master layout to create a uniform appearance for reports. The master layout remains
unchanged in the background of all worksheets and consists of a landscape master and a portrait
master. To create a master layout, select File»Master Layout»New.
Chart Wizard
You can use the Chart Wizard to create and to modify 2D axis systems and polar axis systems.
The preview function displays each changed setting in the worksheet.
Axis Systems
Use axis systems to display channels as curves, as bars, and as surfaces. You double-click an
axis system to edit the displayed curves, to add new curves, and to delete existing curves. To
zoom curve sections, change the scaling of the x-axis and the y-axis with the mouse wheel as
soon as you position the cursor over the respective axis.
Tables
Use tables to list the contents of numeric channels and also text channels. Double-click into table
to edit the displayed columns, to add new columns, and to delete existing columns.
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Text
Use text to label worksheets. Use Add Curve Coordinates in the context menu of a curve to
add comments to values. Text also can include variable information, such as filenames or the
current date. For DIAdem, the @@ characters indicate a variable expression. Click Refresh on
the DIAdem REPORT toolbar to display the current variable contents.
Formulas
Use formulas to display calculation instructions in graphics. DIAdem uses the formula syntax of
the Mathematical Markup Language (MathML) used in word processing.
Graphics
Use graphics and logos to illustrate worksheets. DIAdem supports numerous different graphic
formats including PNG, BMP, JPG, TIF, and WMF.
Creating Scripts
The recording mode is the easiest way to create scripts. If you enable the recording mode,
DIAdem creates a new script in the Script Editor and logs your actions in this script. To create
a new script in the recording mode, complete the following steps.
1. Select DIAdem SCRIPT.
4. Click Delete Internal Data to delete the data in the Data Portal.
DIAdem asks if you want to save the data you modified in the Data Portal.
5. In the search input area of the quick search, type Weather and click Search.
6. Drag and drop the Data1.tdm file into the Data Portal.
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Getting Started with DIAdem
DIAdem displays the recorded script in the script editor, as shown in Figure 6-1.
Figure 6-1. Recording Actions in the Script Editor
After the commenting header, DIAdem declares the MyFolders path variable and assigns to
this variable the paths to the data folder and to the document folder. If you want the script to load
the data file or the layout file from another folder, just change the paths at this point in the script.
Editing Scripts
In the recording mode you have recorded the search for weather data, loaded a data set, and
created a report. Expand the recorded script to evaluate further weather data.
2. After the last script line, enter the statement to hide the Data Portal and use
CodeCompletion.
a. Enter Portal..
As soon as you enter the dot behind the Portal object, DIAdem offers the methods
and properties available for this object for selection, as shown in Figure 6-2.
Figure 6-2. CodeCompletion and SmartInfo Make Editing Objects Easier
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Getting Started with DIAdem
Testing Scripts
To test the modified script, complete the following steps.
1. Click Run Script.
The script opens the NAVIGATOR panel and displays in the Search Results all the data
files that contain the search term Weather.
2. Select Data4.tdm to drag&drop the file into the Data Portal.
3. Click the Load Data4.tdm message box to end the interaction.
The script opens the REPORT panel. DIAdem updates the date displayed in the heading and
hides the Data Portal, as shown in Figure 6-3.
Figure 6-3. Report Created with the Script
4. Click Data Portal to re-enable the Data Portal for further actions.
To save the script, select DIAdem SCRIPT and click Save File As.
Summary
The summary provides an overview of the topics discussed in this chapter. It also includes
additional information.
Scripts
Scripts allow you to execute a series of commands for finding data, loading data, analyzing data,
and creating reports. Scripts provide the VBS functionality and DIAdem functions. You can
integrate the standard dialog boxes in scripts or you can create your own dialog boxes.
Recording Scripts
In the recording mode DIAdem records the command for every action that you execute
interactively, in a script.
<Ctrl-Shift-C>
In the recording mode, DIAdem does not usually record the value assignment for object
properties and variables. Press <Ctrl-Shift-C>, for example, in a DIAdem REPORT dialog box,
to record the values of properties and variables. If DIAdem is not in the recording mode, also
copy the assignment of values with <Ctrl-Shift-C>, but this time to the Windows clipboard.
Then insert these assignments into a script and modify the required properties and variables.
Script Editor
The script editor displays the program code of scripts. While you record actions in the recording
mode, DIAdem records the commands directly in the script editor. Use functions such as go to
line, bookmarks, restoring, and find and replace, to make script editing easier.
If you click a command, a property, a method, or a variable, the SmartInfo displays the
parameters of the command, the property, the method, or the value range of the variable. For
further information click Display Help on this Topic.
CodeCompletion
If you enter the name of an object and complete the entry with a dot, the script editor offers the
subobjects, events, properties, and methods that are available for this object. Add your selection
to the object in the script with a double-click.
When you enter the first characters of a command, for example, and press <Ctrl-Spacebar>, the
script editor automatically completes the command. If several commands start with these
characters, the script editor offers a selection list of all the possible objects, commands, and
procedures.
Interaction Mode
When you use the interaction mode, you can stop your script and work interactively with
DIAdem. Use the InterActionOn command to enable the interaction mode in scripts. You
end the interaction mode with the End interaction button in the toolbar of each panel or in a
message box.
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Getting Started with DIAdem
User Commands
To add commands to DIAdem, you can define user commands in a script. For example, you use
user commands to run calculations in the calculator, to format axis systems in DIAdem
REPORT, or to extend the range of functions in scripts.
To create a block diagram with a simulated signal source, complete the following steps:
Note You can later replace the simulated signal with measured data.
DIAdem inserts every new block in the top left corner of the workspace in DIAdem DAC.
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Getting Started with DIAdem
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Getting Started with DIAdem
a. Enter the lower limit -5 and the upper limit 5 in the signal list, as shown in Figure 7-3.
b. Select Window exit as the Window Type.
Figure 7-3. Setting the Window Condition
c. Click OK.
7. Click the data bus between the Slider1 and Window1 blocks and drag a new bus onto the
green bus between the Generator1 and Digits1 blocks.
The 2 at the input of the numeric display indicates that two signals now reach the block on
this data bus.
8. As shown in Figure 7-4, drag a line from the output at the bottom of Window1 to the input
with the red triangle at the top of the Save1 block.
This creates a red control bus that DIAdem uses to trigger data storage. Always connect
control buses at the top or at the bottom of a block.
Figure 7-4. Extended Block Diagram with Slider Control and Window Condition
Visualizing Measurements
You can arrange the input instruments and display instruments, which are integrated in the block
diagram, in DIAdem VISUAL and you can con each instrument individually.
The instruments Slider Control and Digit Display are positioned on top of each other at the
top left of the display area of DIAdem VISUAL.
2. Position the two instruments next to each other.
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Getting Started with DIAdem
6. Click Stop Measurement or wait until DIAdem has recorded the specified 1,000 values
and created new channels in the Data Portal.
Summary
The summary provides an overview of the topics discussed in this chapter. It also includes
additional information.
DIAdem DAC
You use DIAdem DAC to describe measurement and control tasks in a block diagram. Select
function blocks from the various function groups and connect the function blocks with the
mouse. When you start a measurement, DIAdem opens the VISUAL panels and runs the
visualization.
Data Acquisition
The blocks on the Inputs function group represent data sources in DIAdem DAC, such as A/D
converter boards, front-end devices, and other external measuring devices. You register the
corresponding drivers in DIAdem DAC and con the signal inputs and signal outputs. Additional
data sources can be input instruments, data files, and calculation results.
Signal Buses
Signal buses connect the function blocks and transport signals. Connect signal buses to the signal
inputs and to the signal outputs on a function block. You can connect these buses with other
blocks an also with other buses. To delete a bus, select the bus and press <Del>. DIAdem
distinguishes between system buses, control buses, data buses, alarm buses, and text buses.
DIAdem VISUAL
Select instruments such as gauges, digits, bar display, recorders, or wipers to display the
measurement values from the DIAdem VISUAL library. You use input instruments such as
switches, dials, or slider controls, to trigger events and control functions during a measurement.
When you design a visualization, you can align and con instruments as you like.
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NI Services
A
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advantage of product services in addition to training and certification programs that meet your
needs during each phase of the application life cycle; from planning and development through
deployment and ongoing maintenance.
Log in to your MyNI user profile to get personalized access to your services.
For information about other technical support options in your area, visit ni.com/services,
or contact your local office at ni.com/contact.
You also can visit the Worldwide Offices section of ni.com/niglobal to access the branch
office websites, which provide up-to-date contact information, support phone numbers, email
addresses, and current events.
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