is it possible to use IMAQ without MAX?

[gnunesjr]

I set up my camera in MAX and save the settings.  I use IMAQ Init and feed it the MAX interface name, and I get the camera peforming with the parameters I set in MAX.  I can use IMAQ Set Camera Attribute to change the camera settings, so long as I use the exact wording as in MAX (which comes from the .icd file, I guess).

But....my camera has it's own command set, and if I try to control the camera using serial commands, they are overridden by the MAX settings.

Is it possible to effect a divorce here?  Things are not going right, and I'd like to ferret out the problem.  But the MAX-IMAQ interaction seems to do a lot of stuff behind the scenes.  I'd like to get everything out in the open.

Can I write a simple .icd file?  Mine is complicated, containing all the options available in MAX, in a non-obvious syntax.  I'd like one that specifies only the settings I want, and that I can load directly, without having to invoke MAX first.

Thanks,
-GN

[Michelle_N]

GN,

Thank you for contacting NI! You cannot run the IMAQ driver without having MAX present. They work hand in hand. An option you have and what I would recommend is to create a new camera file or change your existing camera file using the Camera File Generator (the download is at the bottom of the Overview tab) to include serial commands. If you are creating a camera file from scratch it is a good idea to use a generic camera file and manipulate it to include your additional serial commands.

MAX is the interface to your camera file, so long as the camera file exposes the options you are trying to access you should be alright.

Does this make sense? Give this a try and please post back if you have any questions.

[gnunesjr]

Michelle-

Thanks for replying.  I'm not going to try this.  I'm going to throw out my NI frame grabber instead.  Since NI can't make its product work (see this thread), I am switching to a competitor's product.

-Geoff

[Michelle_N]

GN,

It appears the Brad as given you two possible workarounds and should be able to give you advice from here.