Machsupport Forum

Mach Discussion => Video P*r*o*b*i*n*g => Topic started by: 2nd_to_one on March 06, 2016, 03:30:49 PM

Title: Problem with Mach3 Camera Plugin?
Post by: 2nd_to_one on March 06, 2016, 03:30:49 PM
Hello,

I am turning here for help because I have seen that Klaus frequents this board and I'm hoping he can help.

After reading Tweakie's old thread here http://www.machsupport.com/forum/index.php/topic,22932.0.html (http://www.machsupport.com/forum/index.php/topic,22932.0.html) I was inspired to set up this same capability on my father-in-law's machine.  I purchased a USB camera similar to the one used by Tweakie, modified my Mach3 screen to add the buttons (thanks Klaus for Machscreen and Tweakie for the code) and installed the latest version of Klaus's camera plugin (v 3.04).  When it works, it works beautifully allowing me to quickly find X0 Y0.  However, the camera plugin seems to have some difficulty with my system as the camera view window "freezes" frequently which requires me to terminate and re-open the window to continue.  I have done a bit of testing with the camera feeding other video windows (Window media and ISpy) and the image never has an issue so I believe that it is something to do with the camera plugin.  I have tried two different cameras and both operate normally with other software but "freeze" (sometimes immediately) with the camera plugin.

The computer is running Windows 7, 64bit and my Mach3 version is 3.043.062.  When the camera view "freezes" I am also unable to toggle the interrupted crosshairs but I can select the Dialog Settings and Terminate buttons. 

I hope that I can get this issue resolved because this capability makes accurate part setup much easier for him.

Thank you in advance for any help you can provide.

Regards,

Steve
Title: Re: Problem with Mach3 Camera Plugin?
Post by: Tweakie.CNC on March 07, 2016, 02:17:28 AM
Hi Steve,

I have never used Win7, 64bit so have absolutely no idea what could be causing the problem but I am pretty sure Klaus will know.

Tweakie.
Title: Re: Problem with Mach3 Camera Plugin?
Post by: Klaus1311 on March 08, 2016, 11:53:18 AM
Hi Steve

did you try the camera on different USB connectors? With help of USBDeview" (Freeware) you can find out, whether other devices are connected to same internal hub as your camera.

Klaus
Title: Re: Problem with Mach3 Camera Plugin?
Post by: 2nd_to_one on March 08, 2016, 03:45:47 PM
Klaus,

Yes, the camera was tried on at least two USB 2 ports and one USB 3.0 port with no difference in behavior.  I will get USBDeview and see what it tells me about the configuration and then report back.

Thank you,

Steve
Title: Re: Problem with Mach3 Camera Plugin?
Post by: 2nd_to_one on March 10, 2016, 01:23:28 PM
Klaus,

I have used USBDeview as suggested and discovered no obvious conflicts.  There were two other USB video device drivers, not in use, from previous webcam installs which I removed using the tool, however, the behavior did not change.  I also, for completeness, disconnected another camera that is on the system and used for general monitoring with another application, and tried again.  As has become the expectation, the video plugin window froze almost immediately upon opening.  Do you have any other experiments or suggestions?

Thank you,

Steve
Title: Re: Problem with Mach3 Camera Plugin?
Post by: Klaus1311 on March 22, 2016, 04:21:04 PM
Hi

just an short update. Someone was so kind to make tests with a test version. When I get feedback I'll let you know.


Klaus
Title: Re: Problem with Mach3 Camera Plugin?
Post by: 2nd_to_one on March 22, 2016, 10:42:28 PM
Klaus,

Thank you for the update.  I look forward to the test results.

Steve
Title: Re: Problem with Mach3 Camera Plugin?
Post by: 2nd_to_one on March 25, 2016, 02:55:38 AM
Just thought I'd drop a quick note on the forum to update anyone who might be following.  Klaus has sent me a test version of the plugin to evaluate and things are looking very promising.  The test version does not appear to exhibit the video freezing problem that I was experiencing with the current release.  There are a few other small issues to work through but I'm confident that in very short order Klaus will be releasing a new version of his plug in that plays much better with Windows 7 64-bit.

Steve
Title: Re: Problem with Mach3 Camera Plugin?
Post by: rphilli22 on October 22, 2019, 08:06:45 PM
Anyone know what the fix for this issue was? I am having what seems to be the exact same issue.
Title: Re: Problem with Mach3 Camera Plugin?
Post by: Klaus1311 on October 23, 2019, 02:59:39 AM
Hi rphilli22

I suppose you are using plugin version 3.09.
What Mach3 Version are using?
What window version are you using?
How many cameras are connected when the problem occurs?
Could you please describe the issue, what are the plugin settings, do you have other cameras running?


Klaus
Title: Re: Problem with Mach3 Camera Plugin?
Post by: rphilli22 on October 23, 2019, 05:04:55 AM
Good Morning Klaus,

I am using:
   Windows 7- 64 bit- Service Pack 1
   Mach 3 Version R3.043.067
   Plug In Camera V3.09
   Andonstar A1 (2.0 USB) Camera.
All settings are default, as I can not get an unfrozen image to make any changes. No other cameras on the system. Upon starting the plug in, the video immediately freezes. Terminating and restarting the plug in yields the same result. Restarting the Mach 3 software has no effect either. The camera works fine on this computer and my laptop with out going through the Mach3 software. Different USB ports do not make any difference.
Title: Re: Problem with Mach3 Camera Plugin?
Post by: Klaus1311 on October 23, 2019, 06:26:35 AM
can you set the CONFIG?
Menu Config -> Config Plugins
In dialog "Plugin Control and Activation" CONFIG

when it freezes, is the camera-window blank? Could it be a messagebox is overed by another window and awaiting an action?
Could you please show the logfile content. if you installed the plugin with default settings you can find it       C:\Cameralugin_KD\CameraPlugin-KD.log.

Klaus 
Title: Re: Problem with Mach3 Camera Plugin?
Post by: rphilli22 on October 23, 2019, 06:33:54 AM
Yes, I will check. I did not see any other pop up windows or messages. I did minimize the Mach3 screen to be sure. I will be back in the shop on 10/25.
Title: Re: Problem with Mach3 Camera Plugin?
Post by: rphilli22 on October 25, 2019, 07:31:48 PM
Klaus,

I have found the source of my woe with the camera today. I decided to double check the downloads and drivers for error. None found, until I noticed in the windows device manager the camera was no longer listed. It had not been unplugged or uninstalled. I removed the camera from the CNC and started over with the camera on my desk. It worked flawless until I touched any metal of the CNC. This would cause the camera to freeze in Mach3 and drop off the device manager list. The camera has a metal housing and I mounted it in an aluminum bracket.
I isolated the camera with a plastic bracket and resolved the camera issue. I may need to work on the grounding and bonding of the CNC. Thank you very much for your rapid response to my original post.
Title: Re: Problem with Mach3 Camera Plugin?
Post by: Klaus1311 on October 26, 2019, 03:09:14 AM
well done, this is good news.

Klaus