10-bit FireWire Image

[DBM]

I was wondering if and how it's possible to take full advantage of the 10bits of camera used with IMAQ. Right now I'm using the IMAQ VIs with an 8 bit camera. Of particular interest are "IMAQ Create" which has options for 8 or 16 bit and "Draw 8bit Pixmap.vi". Although there are "Draw 1bit Pixmap.vi" and "Draw 4bit Pixmap.vi", there is no VI in the 10-16bit range. Do I need to go to a CameraLink solution?

[BruceAmmons]

The Vision toolkit includes a large number of functions that work with 16 bit images. There are several 10 and 12 bit firewire cameras that work fine with IMAQ and the Vision toolkit.

So the answer is: Yes, you can use a 10 bit camera with firewire, but you need the Vision toolkit to take full advantage of it.

Bruce

[DBM]

Let me ask a follow-up question: if I have a 10 bit/pixel camera, can I use the "IMAQ Create" VI with Image Type set to 16 bit and expect to get a proper output (with 6 bits padded) or will I get a jumbled output?

Thanks!

[BruceAmmons]

Most cameras will give you the proper output with 6 bits of padding. I have come across one that rearranged the bits when using 10 bit. It was still padded properly, but the bits were out of order.

You should also be able to convert the 16 bit image to an array, which you could manipulate without the Vision toolkit. It is just a lot easier with the toolkit.

Bruce