~~META: robots = noindex, nofollow ~~
====== Saving and Sharing WaveForms Workspaces ======

~~TechArticle~~

===== Introduction =====

The ability to share your work is a key part of collaboration. Digilent's WaveForms has several features to support this. By saving an entire **Workspace**, you can save all of the **Instrument** configurations and any **Acquisitions** you have captured. Saved workspace files can be reopened later and/or shared with other users of WaveForms. A configuration of a single instrument can also be saved as a **Project**, imported into other workspaces, and shared with others.

**Note**: //While all workspaces can be opened while any Digilent Test & Measurement device is connected, some instruments are not supported by some devices. Care should be taken while "porting" a workspace to a different device to ensure the proper configurations of all instruments are maintained. For more information on the capabilities of different Test & Measurement devices, see the [[test-and-measurement:start]] page of this wiki.//

**Note**: //This guide does not directly cover the saving and sharing of captured data (whether as text files, spreadsheets, or images). Typically these features can be found in an instrument's //File// menu, in the form of //Export// and //Save Acquisition// buttons.//

----
===== Inventory =====

  * All you need is a computer with WaveForms installed.

----
===== Overview =====

=== WaveForms Workspaces ===

WaveForms workspaces can be saved and opened from two places within the user interface.

<WRAP group><WRAP column half>
First, the **Welcome** tab, presented when WaveForms is launched, contains a list of recently open workspaces (1) , as well as the **New**, **Save** and **Save As** buttons (2) described below:

  * **New**: Opens a fresh empty workspace, closing an open workspace after prompting the user to save.
  * **Save**: Saves the current workspace to the computer's filesystem.
  * **Save As**: Saves the current workspace to the computer's filesystem, allowing the user to change the the workspace's file name, and whether data acquisitions are included.
</WRAP><WRAP column half>
{{ reference:test-and-measurement:analog-discovery-studio:saving-and-sharing:welcome.png?nolink&600 |}}
</WRAP></WRAP>

<WRAP group><WRAP column half>
Second, the **Workspace** menu, always present in the menu bar at the top of the WaveForms window, contains the same three functions described above, as well as **Quit** and **Open**.

  * **Quit**: Closes the WaveForms application, after prompting the user to save an open unsaved workspace.
  * **Open**: Opens an existing workspace from the computer's filesystem, closing an open workspace after prompting the user to save.
</WRAP><WRAP column half>
{{ reference:test-and-measurement:analog-discovery-studio:saving-and-sharing:workspace-menu.png?nolink&600 |}}
</WRAP></WRAP>

<WRAP group><WRAP column half>
A saved workspace is described by a ".dwf3work" file. With some caveats, this file is all that needs to be shared with a student, lab partner, student, or other collaborator.

Examples of other files that may need to be shared include: Audio files to be imported as waveforms, text files used in //Notes// views, and any exported data. A saved workspace can either include or exclude any captured data (selectable through the "File Type" dropdown).
</WRAP><WRAP column half>
{{ reference:test-and-measurement:analog-discovery-studio:saving-and-sharing:save-workspace.png?nolink&600 |}}
</WRAP></WRAP>

----
=== Instrument Projects ===
<WRAP group><WRAP column half>
Configurations of every instrument can be saved through that instrument's **File** menu. A subset of the options present in every File menu is described below:

  * **New**: Opens a new instance of the same instrument, either as a **clone** of the existing one (copying all configuration settings), or **empty** (all configuration settings as defaults).
  * **Save Project**: Saves the configuration of the instrument to a project file.
  * **Open Project**: Configures the instrument with settings stored in a saved project file.
</WRAP><WRAP column half>
{{ reference:test-and-measurement:analog-discovery-studio:saving-and-sharing:file-menu.png?nolink&600 |}}
</WRAP></WRAP>

<WRAP group><WRAP column half>
Each instrument uses its own file type for saved projects. For example, Oscilloscope projects are described by a ".dwf3scope" file, and Logic Analyzer projects are described by a ".dwf3logic" file. A saved project can either include or exclude any captured data (selectable through the "File Type" dropdown).
</WRAP><WRAP column half>
{{ reference:test-and-measurement:analog-discovery-studio:saving-and-sharing:save-project.png?nolink&600 |}}
</WRAP></WRAP>

<WRAP group><WRAP column half>
In addition to saving and opening projects, acquired data can also be saved, then loaded into another workspace or project through instruments' file menus (**Save Acquisition** / **Load Acquisition**).
</WRAP><WRAP column half>
{{ reference:test-and-measurement:analog-discovery-studio:saving-and-sharing:save-acquisition.png?nolink&600 |}}
</WRAP></WRAP>

----
===== Next Steps =====

For more guides on how to use your Digilent Test & Measurement Device, return to the device's Resource Center, linked from the [[test-and-measurement:start]] page of this wiki.

For more information on WaveForms visit the [[software:waveforms:waveforms-3:reference-manual|WaveForms Reference Manual]]. 

For technical support, please visit the [[https://forum.digilent.com/forum/8-test-and-measurement/|Test and Measurement]] section of the Digilent Forums.