Cannot see both PointGrey (FlyCap2) cameras in MAX

[Wes_Ramm1]

Hello everyone.  I have two PointGrey Chameleon cameras that I am trying to access via USB.  

IMAQdx Version 3.9.1

Point Grey FlyCap2 V 2.3.3.23

I can get both Cameras to run and return images to the ActiveX control when I use the PointGrey ActiveX Interface.  I have yet to be able to successfully remove data from the camera so that I can run standard LabVIEW vision analysis on them. (Which I need to do if I don't want to rewrite my entire application)

So, approach 1 would be for anyone who has succesfully been able to get the image data from the ActiveX Interface, please let me know how you did it.  I _am_ able to get a pointer to the data (but then don't know what to do with it), but I am NOT able to get the data as an array with the GetImageData function.  When I call this function, LV Crashes catastrophically.

Approach2 would be to get IMAQdx to recognize both cameras, which I currently cannot do.  MAX only recognizes one of the cameras on the PC.  I think this has to do with the PointGrey DirectShow driver not registering the cameras on the OS, but I cannot find a definitive answer for this on the forums.

Does anyone have any experience getting MAX (and then LV) to recognize two PointGrey Chameleon USB cameras OR in converting the image pointer that the PintGrey Activex API returns into a LV Image type?

Thanks, 

Wes

[Wes_Ramm1 · Accepted solution]

Ok, Point Grey drivers don't support two USB (Directshow) cameras on a machine at the moment.

Also, there is no easy way to "cast" the PointGrey dll image pointer to an IMAQdx image type for in-line use with NI vision code.

My answer seems to be to use a second camera by a different manufacturer.

Just thought I'd post this here so that you are all aware of what I have found.

Wes

[SneakyPC]

Wes,

   I'm having the same problem with Point Grey's USB 3.0 Flea3 cameras.  I thought I could purchase 2 cameras, the 2 port PCI express superspeed USB 3.0 controller adapter card and be off and running, but MAX only recongnizes one of the cameras.  I have a GigE card and camera, so I guess I'll use one Flea3 with the GigE camera.  Did you find any other solutions to this problem?

Pete

[Wes_Ramm1]

I, too, have had to shift gears and go the GigE route.  Though I went to Basler cameras which are KNOWN to play well with LV.

W

[SneakyPC]

Awesome!  I have a Basler GigE on hand.  Thanks.