I have created a new example along the same lines. Instead of fading in, this example overlays a transparent VI on the caller. If the caller does not have an open panel, then it moves up the hierarchy until it finds an open panel and overlays that one. The image is a simple animated gif that spins, showing a time consuming operation is running.
I hope this is useful in your UI designs.
Download File:post-2411-1241482449.zip
-John