Create INF file for Zebra Printer TLP 2844

In my recent project, i need to control Zebra Printer TLP 2844 to print out the barcode. In order to do that, i need to create an INF file using the VISA Driver Development Wizard as stated in the NI link http://zone.ni.com/devzone/cda/tut/p/id/4478#toc3. The reason behind this is Zebra Printer TLP 2844 is a raw USB instrument which does not conform to USB Test and Measurement Class(USBTMC) protocal.

Unfortunately, i can't find the USB vendor ID and product ID in the Device Manager when i plugged it in my desktop for the first time.



However, the Device Manager had already identified my printer information and it seems that i already had the driver for TLP 2844 installed. But, actually i not yet installed the driver for TLP 2844. The driver that i installed before was S4M which is a different printer family from Zebra.

Finally, i figured out that i need to install the default driver come with the printer model (TLP 2844), then it showed up the device ID and product ID.

Lesson learned : Never proceed to create INF file before the instrument's driver is installed.

Advice from NI Technical Support , Joshua de Ia Llana:
Both the Vendor ID and Product ID are manufacturer specific and are required before you can create an INF File. These are the informations you drivers use to communicate with the device, making them absolutely necessary. Though sometimes these are not given explicitly and you might need to call them up for the information.

Thanks Joshua.

Create cool icons with mouse hover effect in Labview

It has been my dream to create my GUI toolbar looks like the Mozilla Toolbar.Finally my dream comes true when i came across the JKI website on how to create this effect.

There is a video provided by JKI on how to do it, but unfortunately it needs Labview 7.1. So i try to modify the steps and perform this using only Labview 8.2.

1. Place a system button on the VI.


















2. Right click on the button=>Advanced=>Customize



















3. Change to customize mode by clicking on the screwdriver like icon.



And, you will get something like this.



4. Open a new VI and place a classic Flat Square Button on the VI.



5. Right click on the classic button=>Advanced=>Customize



Change to customize mode by clicking on the screwdriver like icon(same as step 3).



6. Right click on the Boolean control. Go to Picture Item and click on the first picture.



7. Right click on the classic boolean control and choose 'Copy to Clipboard'.



8. Then go to system button control VI, right click on the control. Choose 'Import from Clipboard at Same Size'.



9. Change back to Edit Mode and color the control with system color.



10. Go to the Menu Toolbar, select Edit=>Import Picture to clipboard. Then, select the icon picture you want to put.

11. Right click on the control button and then click 'Import Picture from clipboard'=>'Decal' to put icon picture inside the button.



12. Finally, you will get something like this.



Change the button label.



13. When finish, go to File=>Apply Changes and this will automatically change the system boolean control．Save the control.

14. Run the VI and you will see the difference when your mouse goes near the button.