Before you can take measurements and monitor devices in InstrumentStudio, you must create a layout. Create a layout from the Home screen, from the document toolbar, or from any instrument header menu.

Creating a Layout Automatically

When you create a layout automatically, InstrumentStudio detects devices you have installed and creates panels using those devices. Complete the following steps to create an automatic layout in InstrumentStudio:

Note You can edit an automatic layout at any time by choosing Add/Remove devices from the instrument header menu. Opening the Edit Layout window using Add/Remove devices automatically filters the device list based on the type of panel you selected Add/Remove devices from. Remove or change the filter using the drop-down menu in the upper left corner.
  1. Install the devices you would like to use and make sure they appear in the Hardware Configuration Utility or Measurement & Automation Explorer (MAX).
  2. Open InstrumentStudio.
  3. Select Auto Create Layout from the Home screen.
InstrumentStudio creates a large or small panel for each compatible device installed in the system.

Creating a Layout Manually

You can use the Edit Layout window to create a manual layout. In a manual layout, you can customize which devices are displayed and group devices of the same type into a single panel.

Refer to Configuring Panels and Layout to learn more about layout rules and restrictions.

Complete the following steps to create or edit a manual layout:
  1. Access the Edit Layout window in one of three ways:
    • From the Home screen, select Manual Layout.
    • From any instrument header menu, select Add/Remove devices.
      Note
      • Opening the Edit Layout window using Add/Remove devices automatically filters the device list based on the type of panel you selected Add/Remove devices from. Remove or change the filter using the drop-down menu in the upper left corner.
      • Only oscilloscopes of the same model may be added to the same panel.
    • From the document toolbar, select the Edit layout icon ().
  2. Search for the device(s) you would like to include in the layout in the left panel of the Edit Layout window. You can filter by device type using the drop-down menu in the upper left corner.
  3. Add the device to a panel by selecting either Create large panel or Create small panel from the device's drop-down menu.
    The device is displayed in the panel you select.
    Note You can remove a device from a panel by clicking the × to the right of the device's name.
  4. (Optional) Once a panel is created, you can group devices of the same type together in a single panel by selecting the group name from a device's drop-down menu.
  5. Select OK to create the layout you specified.
You have created a manual layout.