Combining Scripts with AppDesigner

I am using Matlab to control some linear stages and a scope. the application needs to run in a couple of modes, 1) manual mode (for debugging setup) and 2) automated mode (for functional tests). I would normally use a "main loop" (ex. main.m) to manage hardware activities and a GUI to set parameters and display results. How do I do this AppDesign? I've not seen a way to do my normal approach, is there a better approach for AppDesigner.

Answer 1

[Vidhi Agarwal]

Hi David Cutler,

I understand you have a query regarding the approach to manage an application with manual and automated modes for hardware control in MATLAB App Designer.

Following are the steps to follow with a sample snippet of code, which can help you in getting started:

• Use App Designer to add necessary UI components (buttons, sliders, UIAxes, etc.) for both modes.
• Use “startupFcn(app)” to set up hardware connections, potentially storing the connection as a property of the app.

function startupFcn(app)
   % Initialization code for your hardware
   app.hardwareConnection = initializeHardwareConnection(); % Example function
end

• Define a property to track the current mode ('manual' or 'automated').

properties (Access = private)
   mode = 'manual'; % Default mode
end

• Use UI components (switches, buttons) to allow the user to change modes, adjusting UI elements and functionality accordingly.

function ManualSliderValueChanged(app, event)
   newPosition = app.ManualSlider.Value;
   moveLinearStage(app.hardwareConnection, newPosition); % Example function
end

• Link UI component callbacks (e.g., sliders for linear stages) directly to hardware control functions.
• Trigger automated sequences with a button, using a loop or timer for task execution. Ensure mechanisms are in place for safe stopping and mode switching.

function StartAutomatedModeButtonPushed(app, event)
   app.mode = 'automated';
   while strcmp(app.mode, 'automated')
     performAutomatedTask(app.hardwareConnection); % Example function
     drawnow; % Allow GUI updates and callback processing
     if stopConditionMet() % Implement this function as needed
          app.mode = 'manual';
     end
   end
end

• Update UIAxes or similar components with real-time data or results from the hardware.
• Implement “CloseRequestFcn” to properly close hardware connections and clean up resources when the app closes.

function CloseRequestFcn(app)
   closeHardwareConnection(app.hardwareConnection); % Example function
   delete(app);
end

For better understanding of “startupFcn” , “drawnow” or “UIAxes” refer to the following documentation:

• https://www.mathworks.com/help/matlab/creating_guis/app-designer-startup-function.html
• https://www.mathworks.com/help/matlab/ref/matlab.ui.figureappd-properties.html

Hope this helps!!