Chapter 1
Introduction
1-2
ni.com
Software Overview
Programming the NI 1424 requires the NI-IMAQ driver software for
controlling the hardware and one of the following application software
packages for image processing:
•
Vision Builder for Automated Inspection (AI)
—for configuring
solutions to common inspection tasks
•
National Instruments Vision Development Module
—for more
customized control over hardware and algorithms
The following sections provide an overview of the driver software and the
application software. For detailed information about individual software
packages, refer to the documentation specific to the package.
NI-IMAQ Driver Software
The NI-IMAQ driver software ships with the NI 1424. NI-IMAQ has an
extensive library of functions you can call from your application
programming environment, such as routines for video configuration, image
acquisition (continuous and single-shot), memory buffer allocation, trigger
control, and device configuration.
NI-IMAQ performs all functions required for acquiring and saving images
but does not perform image analysis. For image analysis functionality, refer
to the
National Instruments Application Software
section of this chapter.
NI-IMAQ is also the interface path between LabVIEW,
LabWindows
™
/CVI
™
, or a text-based programming environment and the
image acquisition device. The NI-IMAQ software kit includes a series of
libraries for image acquisition for LabVIEW, LabWindows/CVI, and
Measurement Studio, which contains libraries for Visual Basic.
For maximum flexibility and performance, NI-IMAQ features both
high-level and low-level functions. Examples of high-level functions
include the sequences to acquire images in multi-buffer, single-shot, or
continuous mode. An example of a low-level function is configuring an
image sequence, since it requires advanced understanding of the image
acquisition device and image acquisition.
NI-IMAQ handles many of the complex issues between the computer and
the image acquisition device, such as programming interrupts and camera
control.
