Hi Physics Grad Student. The IMAQ ArrayToImage VI is a function that converts a 2D array of pixel values into the native NI image datatype. Unfortunately, it is only available with the NI Vision Development Module and not with any NI Vision drivers like NI-IMAQ or NI-IMAQ for IEEE 1394 Cameras. The reasoning behind it is simple; if you don't have the Vision Dev Module, then there isn't much you can really do with the image datatype. Images represented as 2D arrays can still be displayed with the LabVIEW Picture Control and saved with the pixmap functions. Beyond saving and displaying an image, what more did you want to accomplish with your image acquisition?
If I had to guess, I'll bet the people who wrote your camera driver took the easy way out and represented their images as 2D arrays in memory. In their VI they then converted the 2D array to a native LabVIEW image with the IMAQ ArrayToImage VI in order to output it and display it with the native LabVIEW Image Display.
While the NI Vision App Engineers may be able to help you better than I can, I suggest you do one of two things.
1) Update the camera driver VIs so that they don't rely on the IMAQ ArrayToImage VI. You will also have to modify them to display 2D arrays as images with the Picture Control or Intensity Graph. There are example programs on ni.com that show how to do this.
2) Purchase the LabVIEW Student Edition CD which includes the Vision Development Module. In fact, I'll bet your school already has a lab, department, or site license for LabVIEW and all the addons.
If you have time, I'd like to hear about your application. Which camera are you using, and why do you need a special driver off of their website. The whole idea behind NI-IMAQ for IEEE 1394 Cameras is that you don't need a specific driver for every FireWire camera out there. From my knowledge, only a few high-quality (non-webcam) camera companies, like DVC and PixeLINK have cameras that don't follow the DCAM specification for FireWire cameras.
I hope this helps.
Kyle V
