With InstrumentStudio, you can capture data from an entire layout or a single panel. You can also take a screenshot without capturing data.

By default, InstrumentStudio uses the .png file format to capture images and the NI .tdms file format to capture data. For more information on the .tdms file format, see What is a TDMS File? in the Related Information section.

To change data capture preferences, go to File » Preferences » Capture data. You can change the following settings on this tab:
  • File name
  • File format
  • Destination directory

Capture Data from a Layout

Select the Capture data icon (An icon of a bar graph that captures data in InstrumentStudio.) from the instrument header menu to capture data from an entire layout.

When you capture data from a layout, InstrumentStudio saves a timestamped screenshot and a data file to the destination directory. The screenshot contains the view of the entire layout at the time the data was captured. The data file contains detailed information about the devices in the layout.

Capture Data from a Panel

Open the instrument settings menu (A cogwheel icon for the instrument settings menu of InstrumentStudio.) and selecting Capture data to capture data from a single panel.

When you capture data from a panel, InstrumentStudio saves a timestamped screenshot and a data file to the destination directory. The screenshot contains the view of the panel at the time the data was captured. The data file contains detailed information about the devices in the panel.

Capture a Separate Screenshot

Select the Capture screenshot icon (An icon of a digital camera that captures screenshots in InstrumentStudio.) from the instrument header menu to capture a screenshot but not a data file. InstrumentStudio attaches the screenshot to the clipboard.

Parse Captured Data

You can parse NI .tdms data files with LabVIEW, LabWindows/CVI, DIAdem, VeriStand, or with third-party applications.

You can parse .csv files with a spreadsheet application. The .csv file sorts the following information into columns:
  • Channel
  • Device
  • Measurement type
The .csv file sorts the following information into rows:
  • Individual measurements, such as mean and range
  • Individual statistics, such as standard deviation