We have the basic Labview installed, as well as the NI FRC Update Suite 2018 and NI FRC Software 2018 downloaded. We have uninstalled our old NI software and have extracted the NI Suite and NI software into labview. Any recommendations on what to do from here?
See Installing the FRC 2018 Update Suite (All Languages)
- Install the programming language of your choice, e.g., Basic LabVIEW 2017
- Install the FRC Update (You get a message if the Microsoft .NET Framework 3.5 needs to be installed as well)
- Get the CTRE Installer and install it
- Reimage roboRIO (operating system) via the roboRIO Imaging Tool
- Update roboRIO firmware via USB and a browser (172.22.1.2) to the roboRIO (login admin/(blank))
- Apply CTRE Phoenix Lifeboat roboRIO Update to the roboRIO
- Add other 3rd Party installations, e.g., NAVX
- Update TalonSRX firmware (if used)
*]Compile and Download User Code
After I install the CTRE installer, how do I use that along with NI Suite and Labview?
You should already be done with installing LabVIEW 2017 and installing the FRC Update.
At this point you should be able to open LabVIEW and create the default LabVIEW robot project.
Then for the CTRE installer, first download it, then extract it from the zip, then run the CTRE installer itself. This will result in a desktop shortcut for “Phoenix LifeBoat”
Setup the roboRIO first (image then firmware), then use Phoenix Lifeboat to add the CTRE update to the roboRIO.
Thank you, but we’re trying to get the basic labview to get to the FRC specific labview. We don’t know how to use the NI update and software to get the FRC labview.
Have you installed LabVIEW from the DVD that came with your KOP?
That’s the first step.
The installation takes quite a while.
After the basic LabVIEW is installed, opening LabVIEW will give you the attached splash screen.
That’s only halfway to being done though.
Once you get this you need to install the FRC specific Update.
After that is done instead of the first splash screen you will now be seeing the second splash screen.
I’m not sure where the CTRE piece came into this given the discussion. Unless you have specific third-party hardware, you don’t need it.
You should only need to install the LabVIEW installation and follow it with the Update Suite.
If that’s completed, you can open up LabVIEW and you should see a screen that says FRC 2018 at the top of a darker yellow window.
If not, what do you see and where are you at in the process currently?
Also, if you’d prefer a quicker response than you’ll get from forums, there’s free tech support for these kinds of questions from 1-7PM central Mon-Fri during build season. 866-511-6285
The CTRE installer is required to get the CAN web interface onto the roboRIO so the PDP and PCM can be recognized and to change the id’s.
It is also required if Talon SRX or Victor SPX’s are to be used.
When I open Labview, on the top I see labview in black letters and 2017 in yellow. Along with a big box on the left saying create project and right saying open existing. I believe this is the basic labview (not specified for FRC) correct?We also don’t have the WPI robotics library.
Correct, that means you’ve installed the basic LabVIEW 2017 correctly.
Did you download the FRC specific Update from : FRC Game Tools Download - NI
It’s required to replace the CAN motor controllers library.
I’m trying to remember back to last season (where I admittedly spent less time in the CSA world) to remember if you cannot see the PDP without it. If I remember correctly, it still appears in the general web interface and appears on the driver station.
I haven’t tried to change any IDs so that might be part of why my memory differs.
Either way, it sounds like the problem we’re running into here is the OP hasn’t successfully installed the Update Suite.
For that, download it. Unzip it. Run the setup.exe from that installer with LabVIEW closed. When it’s finished, open LabVIEW. The screen you’re seeing is in fact typical LabVIEW without the Update Suite applied.
I’ve downloaded and unzipped the update suite 2018.
Things are different this season.
Run the install and pretty much accept everything, except decline (uncheck) to search the web for updates.
Screen-by-screen directions are on that screensteps page Installing the FRC 2018 Update Suite (All Languages)
P.S.
This is for others who may not have unzipped yet.
If asked for a password to unzip use: pLaY&4%R3aL!
Followed up on this.
It’s required if you want to change the IDs on those two devices. As far as firmware goes, they ship with a firmware that’s more than adequate. It’s also pretty rare that teams change those IDs.
If a team DOES want to change the ID or use one of the CAN motor controllers, the CTRE is required. If you don’t want to do either of those actions, it’s not required.
Along with other firmware being removed from the manual, the firmware option for these were both removed as well. They’ve also been removed from the inspection checklist.
It’s certainly something teams CAN add. But, it’s not something that will be make or break for most teams (CAN motor controllers being the primary reason for the install).
We could not get our Talons to run until we updated the firmware on the Rio and each Talon. We did not need to update the id, they just did not run, and the dashboard just threw an error. So after an uodate, all was well.
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I teach that’s it’s good practice to update whatever you will or may use.
So, because the Webdash is partially non-functional without the roboRIO webDash update, it will remain on my recommendation action list for every team.
40% of teams used CAN Talons last season.
I expect that to rise with the discontinuation of Victor SPs with it’s replacement by the Victor SPX.
Thanks for answering some questions we were having! useful thread.
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Thank You guys for your help. We found the problem, we forgot to setup.exe the update suite.
Good Luck!