Packaging a Library

Use a Package document (.lvdist) to build a library into a package or package installer.

A source library is a compilation of source files and a G linked library is a custom palette file. The Package document contains the build configuration and metadata, such as version, maintainer, and display name, for your package.

Before you begin, create a library of source files using a Library document (.gcomp).

1. Click File»New»Package/Installer. The Package document opens in the project.
2. Drag the library or libraries you want to distribute from the Project Files tab to the Files section. You can include applications and other support files.
   

   Note  

   Make sure that the Destination is set to Public Add-ons and that the company information is filled in. Your libraries will be installed in LabVIEW NXG/[version]/addons/[company name]/[product name].

   The Package document automatically calculates the package dependencies that your library requires.
3. In the right rail, click Create palette file.
4. Use the pull-down to choose whether you will create a G diagram palette or a G panel palette library.
5. Review the contents of the Package Dependencies section, which displays package dependencies your library requires. You can include additional dependencies by clicking Add dependencies and selecting packages.
6. In the Information section, confirm that the values in the Package document are correct. The Package document automatically gathers information from the project and your NI User Account to complete the Information section. The values in the text boxes become metadata in the package. NI Package Manager reads the metadata of packages to sort them and display information about them to users.
7. In Output type on the Document tab, select Package for the output type. Select Package Installer if you want to create an installer that includes all of your packages.
8. In Output directory, specify the location to save the package output.
9. Click File»Save all.
   
10. Click Build. The Build Queue tab shows the status of the build process.

After packaging the library, click Locate directory in File Explorer to find your package and install it to a target machine. For a G linked library, create a project that demonstrating the use of your custom palette.