New to Machine Vision

[wb2nvy]

I'm using Labview 8.5, and would like to create a SIMPLE LOW COST AOI capability using a very low cost microscope camera, a Dino-Lite AM411-T USB camera, which cost $350. This camera can do 1280x1024 color jpg or bmp with excellent results as well as lower res. I would like to use NI IMAQ for USB cameras and I guess I also need NI Vision Assistant or IMAQ Vision, but I don't see this camera supported on the list. On the NI website, it gave me an Excel form to fill out describing my camera and what I want to do with it, but it doesn't give me a way to submit the Excel file. I have 2 objectives: 1) is to take a single capture of our square product and make sure it isn't misaligned by 90, 180 or 270 degrees (radically different images), and 2) after a label is put on, and I need to take a single capture and verify that the label info, consisting of text and agency logos, is correct. I don't want to have to spend big bux on a whizbang high end camera for this. Can someone suggest how I can proceed? And clarify what NI software I need to do this?

[Robert_Eastlund]

If the Dino-Lite AM411-T has support for Directshow, you can use the NI-IMAQ for USB cameras, see http://zone.ni.com/devzone/cda/epd/p/id/5030.

-Robert

[Chris_VH]

Like Robert said, the MAIN hurtle is your camera. As long as it is DirectShow complaint, LabVIEW can do the image processing (through NI Vision) the same as if it was any type of camera (CameraLink, GigE, FireWire, etc)

[wb2nvy]

Thanks for the inputs. I'm in the process of finding out from the manufacturer if it is Direct Show compliant. Assuming it is, specifically what Labview add-ons do I need? NI-IMAQ for USB cameras? NI Vision Assistant? IMAQ Vision 7.1? or are all these the same thing with different names? I appreciate your patience with me.

[Chris_VH]

No worries, knowing exactly what you need can be complicated with all the names being so close to each other.

You will need LabVIEW, NI Vision, and IMAQ for USB.

[wb2nvy]

Thanks Chris. I'm looking at the User Guide for NI-IMAQ for USB Cameras, and it says "NI-IMAQ for USB Cameras provides the ability to use USB cameras that have Direct Show Filters with the NI Vision Assistant or LabVIEW and IMAQ Vision."

Is "IMAQ Vision" the same thing that you are calling "NI Vision"?

It also says "IMAQ Vision for LabVIEW is required to use the NI-IMAQ for USB Cameras VI library." I assume IMAQ Vision = IMAQ Vision for LabVIEW, correct?

And I found on http://zone.ni.com/devzone/cda/epd/p/id/5030 it says "Note: Although NI-IMAQ for USB Cameras comes with documentation, it is not officially supported by the National Instruments Corp."  Where do I go for support?

[Chris_VH]

All are great questions:

First off, both assumptions are correct, IMAQ Vision is NI Vision, and IMAQ Vision is also IMAQ Vision for LabVIEW. And to hopefully not confuse you more, those can all be called Vision Development Module (VDM)

As far as support, its just not "technically" supported by us, but we will still help you. Basically, we did not create the driver ourselves, so we don't back it 100%, but we will help you with any issues with it. I'll try to draw the line a little bit:

Situation 1) your camera is not Direct Show compliant- we can't help you (as far as the IMAQ for USB goes)

Situation 2) your camera IS compliant, but you are getting an error elsewhere in your code (we'll treat it as if we full y support it)

Hope this clears up any confusion

[wb2nvy]

Thanks Chris. That answered my questions completely.

[dfelekis]

Dear wb2nvy,

I am also trying to use a dino lite camera with Labview thus, I would like to ask you if it is Direct Show compliant and if you finally achieved to do it?

Best,

Dimitris

[wb2nvy]

I verified that the camera is Direct Show compliant, but I never used it as such. I found it more expedient to buy a camera designed for my machine vision such as NI cameras, than to gather together all the software needed to make the Dino Lite work.