IMAQ Vision Library

[Costas]

Hi,

I'm interested in IMAQ Vision Library, so:

1. Could I purchase just the IMAQ Vision library (i.e. without NI Vision Assistant)
and what would the cost be in that case?

2. If yes, are the functions of IMAQ Vision compatible
with Visual C++ 6.0?

Thanks,

Costas

[PNHorn]

Hi Costas,

Depending on what parts of the IMAQ Vision library you need, you can download NI-IMAQ from the National Instruments Website from the following link.

http://digital.ni.com/softlib.nsf/webcategories/85256410006C055586256BE60070436D?opendocument&node=132060_US

This includes some of the IMAQ functions and will allow you to do simple vision applications, if you need some of the more complicated and in-depth functions then you will need to purchase the correct Vision Module (either Vision Assistant or Vision Builder).

The functions in all NI drivers are basically just calling DLL files, so you can program the vision driver with Visual C++ if you wish.

Hope this helps.

Best regards,

Peter H.
Applications Engineer.
NIUK.

[Costas]

Hi Peter and thanks for your help.

Basically I’m interested for those image processing functions (edge detection, morphology, image display, etc.), that used to be in the very old version of ‘Imaq_CVI_2.0 beta’.

So,

1. Do I have to buy the whole NI Vision development module (that includes the IMAQ Vision library and NI Vision Builder), or I can just buy only the IMAQ Vision library that contains those functions (what’s the cost in this case)?

2. Can I use the image processing functions of IMAQ Vision library from VC++?

Thanks again for your help.

cl

[PNHorn]

Hi Costas,

You can do many different operations with NI-IMAQ without needing to buy and install NI-Vision Assistant or Vision Builder. We have a few tutorials on using NI-IMAQ with C, I have found a couple and listed the links below.

http://zone.ni.com/devzone/conceptd.nsf/webmain/a083c709c6e41d6d86256b5a0003a85c

http://zone.ni.com/devzone/conceptd.nsf/webmain/0fcdc3fa2f91bdf186256a63007c9774

The induvidual functions that are included with NI-IMAQ are listed in the NI-IMAQ User Manual. There is also some help in here on how to program the functions.

This manual can be downloaded from the following link.

http://digital.ni.com/manuals.nsf/websearch/A29989C86BD6B46C86256EA90058C269?OpenDocument&node=132090_US

Hope this helps,

Best regards,

Peter H.
Applications Engineer.
NIUK.

[Costas]

Hi Peter,

Thanks for those links. I’ve already downloaded the NI-IMAQ but it does not contain any image processing functions (such as thresholding, edge detection, etc.), at all.

Again, I am sure that these functions are contained in the IMAQ Vision library, which is (together with Vision Builder) part of the Vision Development Module.

So, my questions again are:

1. Can I just buy ONLY the IMAQ Vision library that contains those functions, and what’s the cost?

2. Is the IMAQ Vision library (NOT NI-IMAQ!!) compatible with VC++ 6.0.

Sorry for my persistence, but I used to work nicely with the old version of IMAQ Vision (named ‘Imaq_CVI_2.0 beta’ back in ‘99), which I could use easily from VC++.
I’ve spent hours searching the ni website and I can’t find this information. Yet, I still have not got a reply after sending an email enquiry to info.uk@ni.com


Thanks a lot

Costas

[BruceAmmons]

Costas,

Yes, you can buy just the IMAQ Vision library. It comes with Vision Assistant, which was once called Vision Builder. The part number is 777859-03.

The data sheet indicates that it works with LabWindows/CVI and VB, which means it should work fine with VC++. If you want to be sure, download the LabWindows/CVI programming manual and see what C functions it has.

I think you will be pleasantly surprised with all the improvements since it was IMAQ CVI. That was a long time ago!!!

Bruce

[Costas]

Ok Bruce

Thanks, that's almost clear now!

So basically you mean there is no any special cost reduction if I order only the IMAQ Vision Library (say for CVI) ?
I still have to pay the normal price as if I had ordered the whole Vision Development module (part number 777859-03)?

Thanks again.

cl

[Steven Bird]

It is also available by purchasing the Vision developement module which includes the Assistant and the NI-Vision.

However you can just purchase NI-Vision if you wish but we recommend also buying the assistant as this will easily save you the cost of purchasing it with regarding to time! Believe me.

Kind Regards

Steven Bird
Applications Engineer
National Instruments

[Kyle_V]

Time out everyone. I'm not sure why this question is so complicated, but it seems people are confused by it. The Vision Development Module consists of two parts 1) the IMAQ Vision libraries for LabVIEW, C/C++, and Visual Basic, and 2) Vision Assistant, which is a prototyping tool that generates code for LabVIEW, LabWindows/CVI, C, and Visual Basic.

While the Vision Assistant is a very helpful and time saving tool, it is possible to purchase the IMAQ Vision libraries by themselves. It's not on the web, but the part number is 777411-03. I believe it costs $1,695, but the NI sales representatives would know for sure.

Bruce is right when he says that IMAQ Vision has come a LONG way since the 2.0 for CVI days.

KyleV

[Costas]

Hi Kyle, and others,

Thanks for your replies. I got some replies from NI sales representatives as well, but still not a direct answer!
On the same question, I get receiving e-manuals, links, and finally a quote, BUT still for the Vision Development module; NOT for the individual IMAQ Vision libraries!!

Presumably that means (in an indirect way though!), that NI doesn’t sell IMAQ Vision separately.

I will try to use the ‘777411-03’ part number and let you know if I have any luck...

Thanks

cl