Point Grey Camera Technical Application Note

Getting Started with NI Vision Builder for Automatic Inspection
Technical Application Note TAN2015012
Revised May 7, 2015
1.1 Subject
Technical Application Note (TAN2015012): Getting Started with NI Vision Builder for
Automatic Inspection.
1.2 Applicable Product(s)

All Point Grey imaging cameras
1.3 Application Note Description
This application note provides information on how to install, configure, and use Point Grey imaging
cameras with NationaI Instruments (NI) Vision Builder for Automatic Inspection (AI) application.
NI Vision Builder AI is a standalone package that allows you to take advantage of hundreds of image
processing algorithms, make decisions based on multiple inspection results, view results through
customizable deployment interfaces, and communicate results using I/O and industrial
communication processes.

This document provides examples using NI Vision Builder for AI
version 2013 Build 20131018161821. For more information, visit
the National Instruments website.
Preparing for Use
Installation and Configuration
Step 1—Install NI Vision Builder for AI
Step 2—Connect the Camera to the PC
Step 3—Install FlyCapture2 (USB2 cameras only)
Step 4—Start NI-MAX and Detect the Camera
Point Grey logo, FlyCapture, Digiclops, Blackfly, Dragonfly, Dragonfly Express, Chameleon, Firefly, Flea, Grasshopper, Ladybug, Scorpion Zebra and
Triclops are trademarks or registered trademarks of Point Grey in Canada and other countries.
© 2014 Point Grey. All rights reserved.
Point Grey TAN2015012
Getting Started with NI Vision Builder for Automatic Inspection
Step 5—Start NI Vision Builder AI
Change Camera Attributes during Inspection
Troubleshooting Tips
Additional Downloads and Support
1.4 Preparing for Use
Before you use your Point Grey camera, we recommend that you are aware of the following
resources available from our Point Grey Downloads page:
Getting Started Manual for the camera—provides information on installing components and
software needed to run the camera.
Technical Reference for the camera—provides information on the camera’s specifications, features
and operations, as well as imaging and acquisition controls.
Firmware updates—ensure you are using to most up-to-date firmware for the camera to take
advantage of improvements and fixes.
1.5 Installation and Configuration
The steps for installing and setting up depend on which interface your camera uses.
FireWire
Cameras
GigE Vision
Cameras
USB3 Vision
Cameras
USB2
Cameras
1. Install NI Vision
Builder AI
1. Install NI Vision
Builder AI
1. Install NI Vision
Builder AI
1. Install NI Vision
Builder AI
2. Connect the Camera
to the PC
2. Connect the Camera
to the PC
2. Connect the Camera
to the PC
2. Connect the
Camera to the PC
3. Install FlyCapture2
3. Start NI-MAX and
Detect the Camera
3. Start NI-MAX and
Detect the Camera
3. Start NI-MAX and
Detect the Camera
4. Start NI-MAX and
Detect the Camera
4. Start NI Vision
Builder AI
4. Start NI Vision
Builder AI
4. Start NI Vision
Builder AI
5. Start NI Vision
Builder AI
The following sections provide more detail.
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Getting Started with NI Vision Builder for Automatic Inspection
1.5.1 Step 1—Install NI Vision Builder for AI
NI Vision Builder AI is available for download from the National Instruments website. Follow the
installation instructions.
In addition, you need to install NI-MAX. If you have installed NI-MAX, proceed to Step 2. If not,
please see Getting Started with NI-Max and LabVIEW for detailed setup information.
1.5.2 Step 2—Connect the Camera to the PC
Connect the camera to the PC. For information, see the camera’s Getting Started Manual.
1.5.3 Step 3—Install FlyCapture2 (USB2 cameras only)
For USB2 cameras, the DirectShow filter provided with Point Grey’s FlyCapture2 SDK is required.
To install the 32-bit FlyCapture2 DirectShow filter:
1. Download the 32-bit FlyCapture2 SDK from the Point Grey website.

NI Vision Builder AI is a 32-bit application and requires that you
install and register the 32-bit version of FlyCapture2 DirectShow
filter.
2. Follow the installation instructions.

During installation, ensure that the DirectShow filter is selected.
OR

To register DirectShow manually, right-click on the DirectShow file below and run as
administrator:
C:\Program Files (x86)\Point Grey
Research\FlyCapture2\src\DirectShowScriptFiles\DirectShowRegister.bat
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1.5.4 Step 4—Start NI-MAX and Detect the Camera
It’s strongly recommended that you use NI-MAX to detect if the camera is connected before using
NI Vision Builder AI. For more info, please see Getting Started with NI-MAX and LabView.
1.5.5 Step 5 - Start NI Vision Builder AI
1. Launch NI Vision Builder AI.
Start MenuAll ProgramsNational InstrumentsVision Builder AI
2013Vision Builder AI 2013
2. Double-click on My Computer to start a new inspection.
3. In the Inspection Steps pane, click on the Acquire Image icon.
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Getting Started with NI Vision Builder for Automatic Inspection
4. In the Acquire Image pane, select your Point Grey camera.
5. To calibrate your camera, from the calibration tab, click Create Calibration. The available
calibration profiles are:
 Point Distance Calibration
 Point Coordinates Calibration
 Distortion Model
 Camera Model
 Microplanes
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Getting Started with NI Vision Builder for Automatic Inspection
6. To change camera attributes, such as Exposure or Gain, on the Attributes tab, select the
attribute. From the Value dropdown box, select the new value.
7. In the Acquire Image pane, click OK to capture an image.
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Getting Started with NI Vision Builder for Automatic Inspection
8. Click the Run state in a loop button to free run the camera.
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1.6 Change Camera Attributes during Inspection
1.6.1 Read/Write Camera Attributes
To read or write camera attributes after your camera has started to acquire images:
1. In the Inspections Steps pane, click Read/Write camera attributes.
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2. In the Read/Write Camera Attributes Setup dialog, select the camera you want to read/write
from.
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3. On the Attributes tab, select your Acquisition Option. The camera needs to stop acquisition
in order to change attributes such as width, height, or acquisition mode.
4. Click the blue ‘+’ sign to create a new action.
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5. Select the action (read or write) and the value you wish to write, if applicable.
6. Click OK to add the new list of camera attributes to the inspection.
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7. Click the Run Inspection in Loop button to continuously stream and change camera state
(via attribute write) in each iteration of the Inspection.
1.7 Troubleshooting Tips
The following suggestions may help you troubleshoot issues with your camera:
1. Update the driver to the latest version.
2. Update the firmware to the latest version.
3. Update the software to the latest version.
4. Perform a soft reboot and if still necessary a hard reboot of the PC.
5. Disable then enable the driver.
6. Power cycle the camera.
7. Power the camera through GPIO, if wiring harness is available.
8. Use a separate host controller instead of an integrated one, if available.
9. Ensure the card is powered via the 4-pin hard drive connector, if applicable.
10. Use a different cable or host controller or PC.
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Additional Downloads and Support
Point Grey endeavors to provide the highest level of technical support possible to our customers.
Most support resources can be accessed through the Support section of our website.
Creating a Customer Login Account
The first step in accessing our technical support resources is to obtain a Customer Login Account.
This requires a valid name and email address. To apply for a Customer Login Account go to the
Downloads page.
Knowledge Base
Our Knowledge Base contains answers to some of the most common support questions. It is
constantly updated, expanded, and refined to ensure that our customers have access to the latest
information.
Product Downloads
Customers with a Customer Login Account can access the latest software and firmware for their
cameras from our Downloads page. We encourage our customers to keep their software and
firmware up-to-date by downloading and installing the latest versions.
Contacting Technical Support
Before contacting Technical Support, have you:
1. Read the product documentation and user manual?
2. Searched the Knowledge Base?
3. Downloaded and installed the latest version of software and/or firmware?
If you have done all the above and still can’t find an answer to your question, contact our Technical
Support team.
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