Note: Before you try to build a package, make sure that you’ve completed the previous exercise, Configuring VIPM for Package Building.

In this exercise, we will use the VI Package Builder to build a package.  Building packages is the most important new feature in VIPM 2.0.  It allows users to easily create reusable libraries that will show up in the LabVIEW palettes.  We will use VIPM to install the package and we will then validate that the package palettes show up in LabVIEW correctly.

1.      Launch the VI Package Builder window, by pressing the Open VI Package Builder button on the VIPM toolbar, as shown below.

This opens the VI Package Builder window, shown below.

2.      Next we need to specify the VI Package Source Folder.  Press the browse button (shown below) and select the “Test Package Source” folder (located inside “Test Package Source.zip”).

3.      Press the ‘Build Package’ button on the VI Package Builder toolbar – the package will be built using auto-generated package settings.

4.      After the package is build process is complete, you will see the dialog, below. Press the Open Package in VIPM Main Window button.

5.      Install the new package by pressing Add To Library & Install button.

6.      The VIPM Package Action Confirmation will appear.  Press ‘OK’.

7.      After installation, the VIPM – Last Action Results confirmation dialog will appear.  Press ‘Done’.

VIPM installs the package into the LabVIEW version used for the build.

8.      Now Open LabVIEW and go to the User Libraries category of the Functions Palette.  Note that your VI Package’s palette is present and is ready for use!

Congratulations!  You’ve just built and installed your first package.

The next thing you need to learn, is how to uninstall and remove a package from VIPM’s package list.

Up: VI Package Guide

If you have any feedback or questions (including ideas for other topics you'd like to learn more about), please consider posting them to the VIPM Discussion Forums.  We're looking forward to your feedback.