USB Webcam Use

[VT_Andrew]

Hello,

I've been designing an experiment for the introductory class in my department. The idea is to control a system based on color. I was going to use a webcam to do this. The problem is that I have a webcam from a 3rd party. Is it possible to use this webcam for the application? If it is, what device driver should I download? Finally, how do I integrate Vision Assistant with LabVIEW. I need to control the system based on the image capture. I apologize if this seems like a garbled mess. Thanks for any help you can give.

Andrew

[AdnanZ]

You just need this driver: NI-IMAQ for USB Cameras which is available for free and, although, it comes with documentation, it is not officially supported by NI.

There is a Vision Assistant express VI in the Vision Express palette in LabVIEW. Otherwise, if you open the NI Vision Assistant application in Windows, you can create a LabVIEW VI by navigating to Tools -> Create LabVIEW VI.

[VT_Andrew]

That worked out just fine, but now I am encountering a new problem. I can use the webcam in Vision Assistant, but I can't see the USB icon in Vision Palette in LabVIEW 8.6. Also, I can't go to Tools>Create LabVIEW VI in Assistant because it says I don't have LabVIEW 7.1 or higher or IMAQ Vision 8.2 or higher. Any suggestions or ideas about what is going on would be greatly appreciated. 

[AdnanZ]

You should be able to view the IMAQ USB palette in Vision and Motion.

I think it's time for an NI engineer to step in. If I were to take a guess, I think your LabVIEW path is messed up or something might have gone wrong when installing LabVIEW because of which Vision Assistant is not able to detect LabVIEW.

[Kristen_K.]

Hi VT_Andrew!

Which version of LabVIEW do you have?   What version of Vision Acquisition Sfotware and Vision Development Module do you have?  When you say you can use the webcam in Vision Assistant, do you mean you can acquire an image?

Kristen H.

[VT_Andrew]

Kristen,

I have LabVIEW 8.6, Vision Assistant 8.5, Vision Acquisition Software 8.6, and Vision Development Module 8.5. I can use the webcam to acquire images in vision assistant, but I cannot use the Tools>Create a LabVIEW VI (it gives me an error saying I don't have LabVIEW 7.1 or higher or IMAQ Vision 8.2.1 or higher). Also, when I try to use the Vision and Motion palette in LabVIEW, it does not contain the USB option, only the others (NI-IMAQ etc). I feel like I got an incomplete driver for the USB webcam or something, but I have tried everything to remedy  that if that was the case. Any suggestions you could give would be welcomed. Thanks.

Andrew

[Kristen_K.]

Hi Andrew!

Do you remember the order of install?  Have you tried reinstalling the IMAQ USB driver?  Typically, when functions do not show up in the Functions Palette it is because drivers were installed before LabVIEW.  It is recommended to install drivers after updating or installing LabVIEW.  Also, the IMAQ USB requires Vision Acquisition and VDM, which it sounds like you have both.  I assume you installed IMAQ USB after the other Vision software?

Kristen H.

[VT_Andrew]

Yes I am pretty sure that I did. I tried to re-install the driver several times. I should note that the installation bar when I run the EXE seems to begin very far into the process (like 90%). That is probably nothing but I figured that might help with this troubleshoot.  Is there any other problems that might have occured. If not, what would be the next course of action? Thanks.

Andrew

[Kristen_K.]

Hi Andrew!

I am not sure why this is happening.  I am going to consult with R&D to see what I can find out for you.  I will post back when I have news.  

Hope you're having a great day.

Kristen H.

[Kristen_K. · Accepted solution]

Hi Andrew!

Would you be interested in signing up for the Vision Beta Program?  This will include the new IMAQdx driver, which will include the updated USB driver.  To sign up, go to ni.com/beta to sign up.  I think this would be a good step in getting you up and running.  Please, post back if you have further questions!

Kristen H.