No part of this document may be reproduced, transmitted, photocopied, or translated into another language without the written consent of EPIX, Inc. Information in this document is subject to change without obligation or notice. EPIX, Inc. makes no warranty of any kind with regard to this document, including, but not limited to, the implied warranties of merchantability and fitness for a particular purpose. EPIX, Inc. assumes no responsibility for any errors that may appear in this document. EPIX, Inc. reserves the right to make changes to the specifications of hardware and software at any time, without obligation or notice.
4MIP, SVIP, XCIP, XCAP, 4MEG VIDEO, 1MEG VIDEO, SILICON VIDEO MUX, QUICK SET VIDEO, 12-7MUX, IMAGE MEMORY EXPANSION, COC40, and COC402 are trademarks of EPIX, Inc.
EPIX, SILICON VIDEO, and PIXCI are registered trademarks of EPIX, Inc.
Other brand, product, and company names are trademarks or registered trademarks of their respective owners.
Printing: 8-Mar-2000
Thank you for purchasing imaging products from EPIX, Inc. We expect them to perform to their specifications and we are available on the Internet, FAX, and telephone to help with installation or to answer questions about the use of our products for your application.
The PIXCI® D, D24, or D32 imaging board, for the PCI bus, is packed in a static dissipative bag. Please keep the bag and box in which the board was shipped should the need arise to return the board. Prior to opening the bag, place the bag near the PC into which the board will be installed.
The board may be installed prior to the XCAP software,
or the software may be installed first.
Refer to the ''Connections'' chapter for a signal list and drawing of the cable connections between the PIXCI and the Dalsa camera(s).
d:\drivers\win95 (for Win 95/98)
d:\drivers\winNT (for Win NT)
d:\drivers\win2K (for Win 2000)
or
d:\drivers (older cd's, all Win versions)
replacing
''d:''
with the CD drive's letter.
a:\drivers\win95 (for Win 95/98)
a:\drivers\winNT (for Win NT)
a:\drivers\win2K (for Win 2000)
or
a:\ (older diskettes, all Win versions)
replacing
''a:''
with the diskette drive's letter.
The size and the number of images that can be stored in DRAM on the motherboard is a function of the amount of DRAM that is not needed by the operating system. Windows 98 requires approximately 20 megabytes. XCAP reserves 4 MB of memory for image buffers. If more memory is required for image sequences, the ''Driver Assistant'' in the ''PIXCI Open/Close'' menu should be used to set the reserved memory size.
The PIXCI imaging board can capture and store full resolution images
to DRAM on a burst mode PCI motherboard provided that other devices do not
compete for PCI bus bandwidth.
The data transfer capabilities of the motherboard may limit the size of the
image that the PIXCI imaging board can transfer to memory on the motherboard.
Some PCI motherboards do not support burst mode on the PCI bus.
Some PCI motherboards limit bursts to four 32 bit transfers.
Some PCI motherboards must have their configuration EEPROM set
to enable PCI bus burst mode.
PCI bus transfers from other devices will compete for data
transfer time with images to be transferred from the PIXCI imaging board to
memory on the motherboard.
ISA bus transfers will also compete for data transfer time with images to
be transferred from the PIXCI imaging board to memory on the motherboard.
The updating of clocks and other background tasks may interfere with the
capture of images.
These tasks should be disabled if error messages indicate that video
transfers have been interrupted.
The following configurations have been tested with video sources with 100 MB per second burst modes. Contact EPIX, Inc. or an EPIX, Inc. distributor for pricing on any of the motherboards listed below.
Motherboards with a 100 MHz CPU bus are recommended. For fast display updates, EPIX recommends motherboards with an Advanced Graphics Port (AGP) and an AGP VGA. An AGP VGA can provide at least twice the video update rate that a PCI VGA can provide. EPIX can provide complete, tested computer systems with a PIXCI and all required software installed as well as tested AGP VGA boards and motherboards.
| Manufacturer | Model | Chipset | Clock & CPU |
| Intel | SE440BX | Intel 440BX | 667 MHz Pentium II w/AGP |
| Intel | NE440BX | Intel 440BX | 350 MHz Pentium II w/AGP |
| Intel | AL440LX | Intel 440LX | 266 MHz Pentium II w/AGP |
| Intel | PD440FX | Intel 440FX | 233 MHz Pentium II |
| Intel | TC430HX | Intel 430HX | 200 MHz Pentium MMX |
| QDI | Titanium II B | Intel 430TX | 200 MHz Pentium MMX |
| QDI | Titanium II B | Intel 430TX | 233 MHz AMD K6 |
The following configuration(s) have been tested with the Hitachi KP-F110 camera and intermittently do not keep up with a transfer rate sufficient to prevent buffer overflow, which means lost data. There are many other PCI bus motherboards that will NOT operate successfully. Use one of the motherboards from the list above or purchase one from EPIX, Inc.
| Manufacturer | Model | Chipset | Clock & CPU |
| Intel | VS440FX | Intel 440FX | 200 MHz Pentium Pro |
The PIXCI D imaging board has a 68 pin connector which is accessible
thru the bracket that mounts the board to the computer chassis.
Single ended cables are available for connecting to a camera or other
source of digital video.
A wire list for the single ended cable is shown below.
| PAIR | Interface | Signal | Interface |
| No. | 68 pin | Name | Signal |
| and | MALE | Type | |
| COLOR | Pin No. | ||
| 34:Orange/Violet | 1 | GND | GND |
|---|---|---|---|
| 34:Violet/Orange | 35 | GND | GND |
| 17:Tan/Gray | 2 | MSBA+ | RS422 Input |
| 17:Gray/Tan | 36 | MSBA- | RS422 Input |
| 18:Brown/Pink | 3 | MSBA-1+ | RS422 Input |
| 18:Pink/Brown | 37 | MSBA-1- | RS422 Input |
| 33:Orange/Blue | 4 | MSBA-2+ | RS422 Input |
| 33:Blue/Orange | 38 | MSBA-2- | RS422 Input |
| 19:Brown/Orange | 5 | MSBA-3+ | RS422 Input |
| 19:Orange/Brown | 39 | MSBA-3- | RS422 Input |
| 16:Tan/Violet | 6 | MSBA-4+ | RS422 Input |
| 16:Violet/Tan | 40 | MSBA-4- | RS422 Input |
| 6:White/Green | 7 | MSBA-5+ | RS422 Input |
| 6:Green/White | 41 | MSBA-5- | RS422 Input |
| 7:White/Blue | 8 | MSBA-6+ | RS422 Input |
| 7:Blue/White | 42 | MSBA-6- | RS422 Input |
| 32:Orange/Green | 9 | MSBA-7+ | RS422 Input |
| 32:Green/Orange | 43 | MSBA-7- | RS422 Input |
| 20:Brown/Yellow | 10 | MSBB+ | RS422 Input |
| 20:Yellow/Brown | 44 | MSBB- | RS422 Input |
| 1:White/Tan | 11 | MSBB-1+ | RS422 Input |
| 1:Tan/White | 45 | MSBB-1- | RS422 Input |
| 15:Tan/Blue | 12 | GND | GND |
| 15:Blue/Tan | 46 | GND | GND |
| 8:White/Violet | 13 | MSBB-2+ | RS422 Input |
| 8:Violet/White | 47 | MSBB-2- | RS422 Input |
| 31:Orange/Yellow | 14 | MSBB-3+ | RS422 Input |
| 31:Yellow/Orange | 48 | MSBB-3- | RS422 Input |
| 21:Brown/Green | 15 | MSBB-4+ | RS422 Input |
| 21:Green/Brown | 49 | MSBB-4- | RS422 Input |
| 5:White/Yellow | 16 | MSBB-5+ | RS422 Input |
| 5:Yellow/White | 50 | MSBB-5- | RS422 Input |
| 2:White/Brown | 17 | XXX | NC |
| 2:Brown/White | 51 | XXX | NC |
| PAIR | Interface | Signal | Interface |
| No. | 68 pin | Name | Signal |
| and | MALE | Type | |
| COLOR | Pin No. | ||
| 14:Tan/Green | 18 | XXX | NC |
|---|---|---|---|
| 14:Green/Tan | 52 | XXX | NC |
| 9:White/Gray | 19 | MSBB-6+ | RS422 Input |
| 9:Gray/White | 53 | MSBB-6- | RS422 Input |
| 30:Pink/Gray | 20 | MSBB-7+ | RS422 Input |
| 30:Gray/Pink | 54 | MSBB-7- | RS422 Input |
| 22:Brown/Blue | 21 | MSBA-8+ | RS422 Input |
| 22:Blue/Brown | 55 | MSBA-8- | RS422 Input |
| 4:White/Orange | 22 | SCOUT+ | RS422 Input |
| 4:Orange/White | 56 | SCOUT- | RS422 Input |
| 3:White/Pink | 23 | SCIN+ | RS422 Output |
| 3:Pink/White | 57 | SCIN- | RS422 Output |
| 13:Tan/Yellow | 24 | FLD+ | RS422 Input |
| 13:Yellow/Tan | 58 | FLD- | RS422 Input |
| 10:Tan/Brown | 25 | FENA+ | RS422 Input |
| 10:Brown/Tan | 59 | FENA- | RS422 Input |
| 29:Pink/Violet | 26 | LENA+ | RS422 Input |
| 29:Violet/Pink | 60 | LENA- | RS422 Input |
| 23:Brown/Violet | 27 | TRG+ | RS422 Input |
| 23:Violet/Brown | 61 | TRG- | RS422 Input |
| 12:Tan/Orange | 28 | STR+ | RS422 Output |
| 12:Orange/Tan | 62 | STR- | RS422 Output |
| 11:Tan/Pink | 29 | PCLK+ | RS422 Input |
| 11:Pink/Tan | 63 | PCLK- | RS422 Input |
| 28:Pink/Blue | 30 | EXP+ | RS422 Output |
| 28:Blue/Pink | 64 | EXP- | RS422 Output |
| 24:Brown/Gray | 31 | MSBA-9+ | RS422 Input |
| 24:Gray/Brown | 65 | MSBA-9- | RS422 Input |
| 27:Pink/Green | 32 | MSBB-8+ | RS422 Input |
| 27:Green/Pink | 66 | MSBB-8- | RS422 Input |
| 26:Pink/Yellow | 33 | MSBB-9+ | RS422 Input |
| 26:Yellow/Pink | 67 | MSBB-9- | RS422 Input |
| 25:Pink/Orange | 34 | GND | GND |
| 25:Orange/Pink | 68 | GND | GND |
| SHIELD | 68 | GND | |
| Signal | IN/ | Pin | Pin | IN/ | Signal |
| Name | OUT | Number | Number | OUT | Name |
| Ground | 1 | 2 | Option +5 VDC | ||
| External | I | 3 | 4 | I | External |
| Trigger | Trigger | ||||
| In | In | ||||
| Frame- | I | 5 | 6 | I | Frame+ |
| Differential | Differential | ||||
| FEN- | FEN+ | ||||
| Strobe- | O | 7 | 8 | O | Strobe+ |
| Differential | Differential | ||||
| STR- | STR+ | ||||
| Reserved | - | 9 | 10 | - | Reserved |
See the Trigger and Camera Integration Register Programming section of this manual in the Camera Control Register chapter for more information on these signals.
Pin 1 is connected to Ground.
Pin 2 is optional +5 volts to the PCI bus. Pin 2 was changed to an option to prevent destruction of components when the 10 pin header is installed incorrectly.
Pins 3 & 4 are the differential inputs for the trigger signal. These inputs are connected to pin 61 and 27 of J2, the 68 pin connector.
Pins 5 & 6 are the differential inputs for the framer enable (vertical) signal. These inputs are connected to pin 59 and 25 of J2, the 68 pin connector.
A 10 pin header and cable to 9 pin D-Subminiature connector is available to connect external signals to the PIXCI D thru a second slot with a bracket mounting the D-Subminiature connector.
XCAP-Plus, XCAP-Std, or XCAP-Lite, are easy to install, by following the instructions below.
While XCAP is easy to install, like most manufacturers of PC software, we recommend as a precaution that a hard disk backup be performed before installing XCAP.
> A:SETUP
or
> B:SETUP
> Z:SETUP (replace Z with drive letter for your CD)
ftp.epixinc.com/software/XCAPWI.EXE
from the EPIX, Inc. ftp site.
> XCAPWI.EXE
Command Line: InstallDir \ XCAPW95
Name: XCAP
replacing
''InstallDir''
with the name of the installation directory chosen above.
Select
''OK''.
Do not connect the authorization key to a 25 pin serial (RS-232) port, or to any other interface which happens to use the same style connector; the authorization key will not function, might be permanently damaged, and the warranty will be void!
The authorization key must remain attached to the printer port while XCAP is running. If the authorization key is missing, or disconnected while XCAP is running, then XCAP-Plus or XCAP-Std will behave similar to the XCAP-Lite version; selected image processing and analysis tools will not be operational.
Note that the ''quick reboot'' offered by the (some versions of the) Device Manager does not properly install EPIXXC32.VXD; a full shutdown and reboot is required. The shutdown and reboot can be delayed until after the installation is completed.
[EPIX_XC]
PIXCI=-IM <memorysize>
replacing the
''<memorysize>''
with the desired memory size in Kbytes.
Windows must be rebooted for the new specification to take effect.
Windows 95/98 limits the maximum amount of allocatable frame buffer memory, dependent upon what other devices are installed, the total PC memory size, and other factors.
Less than the requested amount of frame buffer memory may be allocated. If no memory could be allocated, the PIXCI® imaging board will not be usable; reporting ''Can't allocate frame buffer memory''. Otherwise, within XCAP, the amount of frame buffer memory can be checked under PIXCI®, PIXCI® Open/Close.
Use of EPIXXC32.INF, above, provides automatic installation of EPIXXC32.VXD in most circumstances. The following information allows manual installation, correcting problems, or integration with an OEM's procedures.
C:\WINDOWS\SYSTEM
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\System\CurrentControlSet\Services\Class\Unknown\0000
replacing the \0000, if such an entry already exists,
with the next available sequential number.
This entry must contain:
DevLoader= "epixxc32.vxd"
DriverDesc= "PIXCI(R) PCI Video Capture Board" (optional)
InfSection= "Unknown"
StaticVxD= "epixxc32.vxd"
or the existing entry for PIXCI® SV4:(Win 95) HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Enum\PCI\VEN_8086&DEV_1223\BUS_**&DEV_**&FUNC_** (Win 98) HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Enum\PCI\VEN_8086&DEV_1223&SUBSYS_00000000&REV_**\BUS_**&DEV_**&FUNC_**
or the existing entry for PIXCI® D, PIXCI® D24, or PIXCI® D32:(Win 95) HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Enum\PCI\VEN_109E&DEV_0350\BUS_**&DEV_**&FUNC_** (Win 98) HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Enum\PCI\VEN_109E&DEV_0350&SUBSYS_00000000&REV_**\BUS_**&DEV_**&FUNC_**
or the existing entry for PIXCI® A:(Win 95) HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Enum\PCI\VEN_10E8&DEV_80D6\BUS_**&DEV_**&FUNC_** (Win 98) HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Enum\PCI\VEN_10E8&DEV_80D6&SUBSYS_00000000&REV_**\BUS_**&DEV_**&FUNC_**
where the **'s may be any digits (assigned and created by Windows after detection of the PIXCI® imaging board). This entry must contain:(Win 95) HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Enum\PCI\VEN_10E8&DEV_82B1\BUS_**&DEV_**&FUNC_** (Win 98) HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Enum\PCI\VEN_10E8&DEV_82B1&SUBSYS_00000000&REV_**\BUS_**&DEV_**&FUNC_**
Class= "Unknown"
ConfigFlags= 00 00 00 00
DeviceDesc= "PIXCI(R) PCI Video Capture Board" (optional)
Driver= "Unknown\0000" (substitute 0000)
Mfg= "EPIX, Inc." (optional)
where the
''0000''
is replaced by the sequential number used in the previous step.
As described above, frame buffer memory allocated by EPIXXC32.VXD during Windows startup is limited to a small percentage of total PC memory.
A larger frame buffer memory can often be obtained by reserving memory before Windows starts:
DEVICE=C:\XCAP\DRIVERS\WIN95\EPIXXC.SYS -IM <framebuffermemorysize>
after
DEVICE=HIMEM.SYS,
replacing
''<framebuffermemorysize>''
with the desired frame buffer memory size, in Kbytes.
Alternately, the second form reserves
''<reservememorysize>''
Kbytes,
for Windows and allocates (almost) all of the remaining memory
for use as frame buffer memory.
[EPIX_XC]
PIXCI=-IM 0
so that EPIXXC32.VXD
doesn't reserve and waste additional frame buffer memory.
This technique allows most of the PC's memory to be reserved as frame buffer memory (e.g. typically all but 8 or 16 megabytes, as required by Windows). However, the memory is unavailable to Windows, even when the PIXCI® imaging board's driver is not open.
If the specified amount of frame buffer memory could not be allocated, EPIXXC.SYS will attempt to allocate smaller amounts. If no memory can be allocated EPIXXC.SYS, will display an error message during Windows startup, and XCAP will not run, stating ''Can't allocate frame buffer memory''.
Use of the procedures above provides automatic installation of the authorization key's driver, needed under Windows 95/98, for XCAP-Plus and XCAP-Std (but not needed for XCAP-Lite). The following information allows manual installation, correcting problems, or integration with an OEM's procedures.
C:\WINDOWS\SYSTEM
or placed in the same directory as XCAP, typically:
C:\XCAP
SET HL_SEARCH=378p
SET HL_SEARCH=278p,378p
forces only the I/O port addresses listed (in hexadecimal)
to be searched.
Note that setting HL_SEARCH from a DOS box has no effect,
as the setting is not
''carried back''
from DOS into the Win 95/98 environment.
XCAP requires Win NT Version 4 with Service Pack 3 or later. You must be logged on an Administrator, or have equivalent privileges, to complete the installation procedure.
> A:SETUP
or
> B:SETUP
> Z:SETUP (replace Z with drive letter for your CD)
ftp.epixinc.com/software/XCAPWI.EXE
from the EPIX, Inc. ftp site.
> XCAPWI.EXE
Command Line: InstallDir \ XCAPWNT
Name: XCAP
replacing
''InstallDir''
with the name of the installation directory chosen above.
Select
''OK''.
Do not connect the authorization key to a 25 pin serial (RS-232) port, or to any other interface which happens to use the same style connector; the authorization key will not function, might be permanently damaged, and the warranty will be void!
The authorization key must remain attached to the printer port while XCAP is running. If the authorization key is missing, or disconnected while XCAP is running, then XCAP-Plus or XCAP-Std will behave similar to the XCAP-Lite version; selected image processing and analysis tools will not be operational.
> C:\XCAP \ HLDINST -install
> CHDIR C:\XCAP
and execute:
HLDINST -install
to run the authorization key utility program.
Use of EPIXXCNT.INF, above, provides automatic installation of EPIXXCNT.SYS in most circumstances. The following information allows manual installation, correcting problems, or integration with an OEM's procedures.
C:\WINNT\SYSTEM32\DRIVERS
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Services\EPIXXCNT
This entry must contain:
ErrorControl = 0x00000001
Group = "Extended base"
Start = 0x00000001
Type = 0x00000001
and may, as described below, also contain:
PIXCI = "-IM <memorysize>"
Create an entry such as:
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Services\EventLog\System\EPIXXCNT
This entry must contain:
EventMessageFile = "%SystemRoot%\System32\IoLogMsg.dll"
TypesSupported = 0x00000007
Under Windows NT, frame buffer memory must be allocated during Windows' initialization.
The requested frame buffer memory size must be specified in the Registry entry described above, using an entry named ''PIXCI'', such as:
PIXCI = "-IM <memorysize>"
replacing the
''<memorysize>''
with the desired memory size in Kbytes.
If no frame buffer memory size is specified, a default size of 4 megabytes is used.
Windows must be rebooted for the new specification to take effect.
Windows NT limits the maximum amount of allocatable frame buffer memory, dependent upon what other devices are installed, the total PC memory size, and other factors. Using the Control Panel's Device Manager to select Boot or System priority startup for EPIXXCNT.SYS allows more frame buffer memory to be allocated than selection of Automatic startup.
Less than the requested amount of frame buffer memory may be allocated. If no memory could be allocated, XCAP will not run, stating ''Can't allocate frame buffer memory''. Otherwise, within XCAP, the number of available frame buffers can be checked under PIXCI®, PIXCI® Video Setup, Resolution. As the frame buffer memory is allocated once during Windows initialization; the contents of frame buffers are retained as XCAP is closed and restarted, but lost if Windows is restarted.
As described above, frame buffer memory allocated by EPIXXCNT.SYS during Windows startup may be limited to a small percentage of total PC memory.
A larger frame buffer memory can be obtained by limiting the amount of memory recognized by Windows NT, and then instructing EPIXXCNT.SYS to explicitly use a section of memory without allocating it from Windows NT:
[operating systems]
multi(0)disk(0)rdisk(0)partition(7)\WINNT="Windows NT V 4.00"
to
[operating systems]
multi(0)disk(0)rdisk(0)partition(7)\WINNT="Windows NT V 4.00 [NT=64M PIXCI=256M]" /MAXMEM=64
multi(0)disk(0)rdisk(0)partition(7)\WINNT="Windows NT V 4.00"
Do
not
copy this new line exactly as is; the first portion of the line must be
copied from an existing configuration line in
your
C:\BOOT.INI
file.
The text between quotes appears as a boot selection prompt,
use of
''[NT=64M PIXCI=256M]''
is a suggested reminder, but not required.
Keeping the original configuration line, as a boot selection option,
is highly recommended as a backup.
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Services\EPIXXCNT
On the
''PIXCI''
field add:
-IA <image_memory_adrs_in_kbyte>
-IM <size_of_image_memory_in_kbyte>
-MB 8192
In practice, all three fields are on the same line.
Be certain that the -IA address is equal to (or above)
the specified /MAXMEM limit; INCLUDING exact base2 to base10 conversions!
(i.e. for /MAXMEM=64, the smallest legal value of -IA is 65536, not 64000!).
Likewise, be certain that the -IA plus -IM values do not exceed
the amount of memory available!
For example, for a PC with 1 gigabyte of memory, allocating 256 Mbyte for Windows and the remainder for frame buffer memory, use:
/MAXMEM=256
in C:\BOOT.INI, and use:
PIXCI = -IA 262144 -IM 786432 -MB 8192
in the registry entry.
Note that 262144 is 256×1024,
and 786432 is (1024-245)×1024.
Note that if this memory allocation method is used, program access to image data may be is slower. Thus, the video display rate (and image processing) may be slower, but the video capture rate (such as sequence capture) is not adversely affected. This method of memory allocation is primarily used for video rate acquisition of long sequences, followed by off-line analysis or saving of the sequence.
Use of HLDINST.EXE, above, provides automatic installation of the authorization key's driver, needed under Windows NT, for XCAP-Plus and XCAP-Std (but not needed for XCAP-Lite). The following information allows manual installation, correcting problems, or integration with an OEM's procedures.
C:\WINNT\SYSTEM32\DRIVERS
C:\WINNT\SYSTEM
or placed in the same directory as XCAP, typically:
C:\XCAP
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Services\HardLock
This key must contain values:
ErrorControl = 0x00000001
Group = "Extended Base"
Start = 0x00000002
Type = 0x00000001
or, if using REGEDT32, the values should appear as:
ErrorControl:REG_DWORD:0x1
Group:REG_SZ:ExtendedBase
Start:REG_DWORD:0x2
Type:REG_DWORD:0x1
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Services\HardLock\Parameters
which contains a value:
IoPortAddress0 = 0x???? (for REGEDIT)
IoPortAddress0:REG_DWORD:0x???? (for REGEDT32)
where the
''????''
is replaced with the parallel port's I/O address in hexadecimal.
As before, Windows must be shut down and restarted.
> A:SETUP
or
> B:SETUP
> Z:SETUP (replace Z with drive letter for your CD)
ftp.epixinc.com/software/XCAPWI.EXE
from the EPIX, Inc. ftp site.
> XCAPWI.EXE
Command Line: InstallDir \ XCAPW2K
Name: XCAP
replacing
''InstallDir''
with the name of the installation directory chosen above.
Select
''OK''.
Do not connect the authorization key to a 25 pin serial (RS-232) port, or to any other interface which happens to use the same style connector; the authorization key will not function, might be permanently damaged, and the warranty will be void!
The authorization key must remain attached to the printer port while XCAP is running. If the authorization key is missing, or disconnected while XCAP is running, then XCAP-Plus or XCAP-Std will behave similar to the XCAP-Lite version; selected image processing and analysis tools will not be operational.
> C:\XCAP \ HLDINST -install
> CHDIR C:\XCAP
and execute:
HLDINST -install
to run the authorization key utility program.
Use of EPIXXCNT.INF, above, provides automatic installation of EPIXXCNT.SYS in most circumstances. The following information allows manual installation, correcting problems, or integration with an OEM's procedures.
C:\WINNT\SYSTEM32\DRIVERS
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Services\EPIXXCNT
This entry must contain:
ErrorControl = 0x00000001
Group = "Extended base"
Start = 0x00000001
Type = 0x00000001
and may, as described below, also contain:
PIXCI = "-IM <memorysize>"
Create an entry such as:
This entry must contain:HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Services\EventLog\System\EPIXXCNT
EventMessageFile = "%SystemRoot%\System32\IoLogMsg.dll"
TypesSupported = 0x00000007
Under Windows 2000, frame buffer memory must be allocated during Windows' initialization.
The requested frame buffer memory size must be specified in the Registry entry described above, using an entry named ''PIXCI'', such as:
PIXCI = "-IM <memorysize>"
replacing the
''<memorysize>''
with the desired memory size in Kbytes.
If no frame buffer memory size is specified, a default size of 4 megabytes is used.
Windows must be rebooted for the new specification to take effect.
Windows 2000 limits the maximum amount of allocatable frame buffer memory, dependent upon what other devices are installed, the total PC memory size, and other factors.
Less than the requested amount of frame buffer memory may be allocated. If no memory could be allocated, XCAP will not run, stating ''Can't allocate frame buffer memory''. Otherwise, within XCAP, the number of available frame buffers can be checked under PIXCI®, PIXCI® Video Setup, Resolution. As the frame buffer memory is allocated once during Windows initialization; the contents of frame buffers are retained as XCAP is closed and restarted, but lost if Windows is restarted.
As described above, frame buffer memory allocated by EPIXXCNT.SYS during Windows startup may be limited to a small percentage of total PC memory.
A larger frame buffer memory can be obtained by limiting the amount of memory recognized by Windows 2000, and then instructing EPIXXCNT.SYS to explicitly use a section of memory without allocating it from Windows 2000:
[operating systems]
multi(0)disk(0)rdisk(0)partition(7)\WINNT="Windows 2000"
to
[operating systems]
multi(0)disk(0)rdisk(0)partition(7)\WINNT="Windows 2000 [NT=64M PIXCI=256M]" /MAXMEM=64
multi(0)disk(0)rdisk(0)partition(7)\WINNT="Windows 2000"
Do
not
copy this new line exactly as is; the first portion of the line must be
copied from an existing configuration line in
your
C:\BOOT.INI
file.
The text between quotes appears as a boot selection prompt,
use of
''[NT=64M PIXCI=256M]''
is a suggested reminder, but not required.
Keeping the original configuration line, as a boot selection option,
is highly recommended as a backup.
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Services\EPIXXCNT
On the
''PIXCI''
field add:
-IA <image_memory_adrs_in_kbyte>
-IM <size_of_image_memory_in_kbyte>
-MB 8192
In practice, all three fields are on the same line.
Be certain that the -IA address is equal to (or above)
the specified /MAXMEM limit; INCLUDING exact base2 to base10 conversions!
(i.e. for /MAXMEM=64, the smallest legal value of -IA is 65536, not 64000!).
Likewise, be certain that the -IA plus -IM values do not exceed
the amount of memory available!
For example, for a PC with 1 gigabyte of memory, allocating 256 Mbyte for Windows and the remainder for frame buffer memory, use:
/MAXMEM=256
in C:\BOOT.INI, and use:
PIXCI = -IA 262144 -IM 786432 -MB 8192
in the registry entry.
Note that 262144 is 256×1024,
and 786432 is (1024-245)×1024.
Note that if this memory allocation method is used, program access to image data may be is slower. Thus, the video display rate (and image processing) may be slower, but the video capture rate (such as sequence capture) is not adversely affected. This method of memory allocation is primarily used for video rate acquisition of long sequences, followed by off-line analysis or saving of the sequence.
Use of HLDINST.EXE, above, provides automatic installation of the authorization key's driver, needed under Windows 2000, for XCAP-Plus and XCAP-Std (but not needed for XCAP-Lite). The following information allows manual installation, correcting problems, or integration with an OEM's procedures.
C:\WINNT\SYSTEM32\DRIVERS
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Services\HardLock
This key must contain values:
ErrorControl = 0x00000001
Group = "Extended Base"
Start = 0x00000002
Type = 0x00000001
or, if using REGEDT32, the values should appear as:
ErrorControl:REG_DWORD:0x1
Group:REG_SZ:ExtendedBase
Start:REG_DWORD:0x2
Type:REG_DWORD:0x1
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Services\HardLock\Parameters
which contains a value:
IoPortAddress0 = 0x???? (for REGEDIT)
IoPortAddress0:REG_DWORD:0x???? (for REGEDT32)
where the
''????''
is replaced with the parallel port's I/O address in hexadecimal.
As before, Windows must be shut down and restarted.
This chapter will guide the user through the initial steps common to most applications using the PIXCI imaging board: capturing, viewing, examining, and saving images. This guide isn't intended to discuss every feature of every window, just the most important features to ''get up and running''.
By following the previous instructions, at this point:
The following instructions are intended to be used while operating the PC; pictures of the S/VGA are intentionally not shown, in favor of focusing the reader's attention on the real S/VGA screen.
Start XCAP by clicking:
Start (on the Windows Taskbar)
XCAP Imaging
and then clicking:
XCAP for Win 95/98
XCAP for Win NT
or XCAP for Win 2000
as appropriate.
The XCAP Main Window now appears.
In the XCAP Main Window, click:
PIXCI
PIXCI Open/Close
A dialog box appears.
Clicking:
Open
opens the PIXCI imaging board for use,
removes the Open/Close dialog,
creates a PIXCI Image Viewer window showing the first PIXCI frame buffer,
depending on imaging board model and camera used, may create an Adjust dialog with commonly used camera and video capture adjustments,
and creates a Shortcuts Toolbar for accessing the most commonly needed features.
The following windows are now active:
If XCAP has already been installed, it may have been configured with one or more variations. One variation eliminates the Main Window, automatically opening and displaying the PIXCI® Image Viewer. Another variation allows the Shortcuts and/or Adjust features to be attached to the The PIXCI® Image Viewer window, rather than detached into their own windows. A third variation selects whether the Shortcuts and/or Adjust features appear automatically, or only when
Capture
Adjustments
or
Capture
Shortcuts
are clicked.
These variations allow custom configuration of XCAP,
but don't affect the functionality of the Shortcuts or Adjustments features.
The PIXCI® D, D24, and D32 imaging boards are customized for a specific camera. XCAP identifies the specific PIXCI® D, D24, or D32 imaging board, and defaults to capturing full video resolution from the specific camera.
Reducing the video resolution (the number of pixels captured per line and column) allows capturing more video frames in a given size of frame buffer memory.
From the Main Window, click:
PIXCI®
PIXCI® Video Setup
Resolution
Modify:
Data Pixels per Line
Data Lines per Field
Frame Buffer: 2 Fields (i.e. interlace)
Frame Buffer: 1 Field
as per your application's needs.
(Some multi-tap cameras, or cameras with Bayer pattern pixels
may not operate correctly if the resolution is modified incorrectly).
or
The:
Image Buffers in Memory
shows the number of frame buffers available with the
current selections.
Click:
OK
The selections under the Main Window:
PIXCI® Video Setup
and under the PIXCI® Image Viewer:
Adjustments
are automatically saved when the PIXCI® imaging board is closed,
and/or XCAP is exited.
When the PIXCI® imaging board is next opened (from the XCAP Main Window clicking):
PIXCI
PIXCI Open/Close
Camera & Format
You may choose:
Open w. last used Video Setup
to use the previous video setup, or choose:
Open w. default Video Setup
to start afresh with the default video format and resolution.
Once the PIXCI® imaging board is opened for use, images may be captured from the PIXCI® Image Viewer, clicking:
Capture
Snap
or
Capture
Live
The
Snap
captures
a single image into the current frame buffer, while
Live
continuously captures images into the current frame buffer,
continuously updating the image shown on the S/VGA.
The Live mode may be used to adjust the camera's focus, aperture, and position. The Live mode may be halted by clicking:
Capture
UnLive
A
Live
followed immediately by
Unlive
has the same effect as
Snap.
If the current video resolution and frame buffer memory size allows more than one frame buffer, clicking:
Capture
Adjustments
provides the:
Current Frame Buffer: 0
or sometimes shortened to:
Current Buffer: 0
which may be incremented or decremented at any time, whether in
Live
or
UnLive
mode.
The dialog reached by clicking:
Capture
Adjustments
has convenient buttons which duplicate the
Snap,
Live,
and
UnLive
features.
As three of the most commonly used operations, the Snap, Live, and UnLive are also available in the Shortcuts Toolbar, in the top row, at the fifth and sixth from the left. The Shortcuts also allow changing the current frame buffer; in the top row, the four icons at the left switch to the first frame buffer, the next frame buffer (e.g. current buffer +1), the previous frame buffer (e.g. current buffer -1), and the last frame buffer, respectively.
The PIXCI Image Viewer can be moved and resized, using standard Windows techniques (drag the window's title bar, drag the window's corner, etc). By default, the captured image is displayed with resizing, so that the entire image fits within the Image Viewer.
For many engineering applications, examination of individual pixel values is critically important. Resizing the image may ''hide'' defective pixels; resizing an image with interlace jitter may turn odd/even line striping into bars of striping.
To view the exact pixels, from the PIXCI® Image Viewer, click:
View
Display
Resize: None (1 to 1)
Each image pixel is now displayed as exactly one S/VGA pixel.
Of course, depending upon the image resolution, S/VGA resolution,
and window size, the entire image may not fit.
If the image doesn't fit, then (a) Scroll bars appear,
allowing the viewed portion of the image
to be panned and scrolled throughout the entire image,
and (b) Moving the mouse with right button held over the displayed image
causes panning or scrolling (if there is more image
to be seen in the direction the mouse is moving).
Note that when:
Resize: None (1 to 1)
is selected, the displayed image's aspect ratio may not appear correct;
the aspect ratio can't be corrected without some form of resizing or resampling!
To magnify the image, from the PIXCI® Image Viewer, click:
View
Zoom, Pan, Scroll
Zoom On
The magnification factor can be adjusted with:
Zoom Ratio
When magnified, only a portion of the image is visible.
As described above, the viewed portion may be panned and scrolled
through the entire image with the scroll bars,
or by moving the mouse over the image with right button held.
To examine numeric values of pixels as a table, from the PIXCI® Image Viewer, click:
Examine
Pixel Peek
A table of pixel values for a portion of the image appears,
showing pixel values in the neighborhood of the displayed X and Y coordinates.
The portion of the image numerically displayed can be moved
by using the scroll bars, or by entering new X and Y coordinates.
The portion of the image which is numerically displayed can also be moved interactively by clicking:
Coord<=>Cursor
A cursor now appears over the image window
(the Pixel Peek window may have to be moved to the side so that
both the pixel peek window and the image viewer window
can be seen);
clicking the mouse on the image viewer window
moves the cursor to that position, and repositions the
numerically displayed portion of the image to be centered
at that position.
To examine pixel values as a two dimensional graph, click:
Examine
Pixel Plot
and
Controls
Where
and Plot Row
or Plot Column
A graph of pixel values for a line (column) of the image appears,
showing pixel values along the line (column) at the displayed Y (X) coordinate.
The line (column) of the image which is shown can be
moved interactively by clicking:
Coord<=>Cursor
A cursor now appears over the image window;
clicking the mouse on the image window
moves the cursor to that position, and repositions the
displayed line (column) to that Y (X) coordinate.
To save an image, from the PIXCI Image Viewer, click:
File
Save Image
Choose a file format, such as:
TIFF
JPEG/JFIF
BMP
PCX
Targa (TGA)
X/Y Binary
X/Y ASCII
TIFF is an industry standard, and the most commonly used image file format;
TIFF is suggested for saving and reloading an image into XCAP,
and suggested for exporting images to other programs which support TIFF.
The JPGE/JFIF is also a commonly used image file format
and provides high, but lossy, compression.
The BMP, PCX, and TGA formats are useful when exporting an
image into other programs that don't support TIFF;
but these file formats support only 8 bits per pixel component
(such as 8 bit monochrome or 24 bit RGB).
The X/Y Binary and X/Y ASCII
export raw pixels, left to right, top to bottom, with no excess
information such as dimensions, bit depth, date, format, etc;
these are useful for exporting images to a spreadsheet (X/Y ASCII),
or to your own program that can assume the image's dimensions
and can simply read a 2-D array of values.
After selecting a file format, enter a file name:
File Name: xx.tif
and click
OK
to save the image.
Or, use the:
Browse
button to access the standard Windows File Dialog,
click
Accept
to accept the filename selected by browsing,
and click
OK
to save the image.
XCAP is a family of sophisticated, interactive, imaging programs specifically designed to support the PIXCI series of imaging boards, but also able to process and analyze images from other imaging sources. Several versions of XCAP are available: XCAP-Std, XCAP-Plus, XCAP-Lite, and XCAP-Demo. All versions share the same user interface and menu structure, but selected features in XCAP-Std, XCAP-Lite, and XCAP-Demo are not operational. XCAP is distributed on CD, diskette(s), or downloadable from the EPIX, Inc. website. After installation, a 12 character identification code[5] is entered to configure XCAP as either XCAP-Std, XCAP-Plus,[6], or XCAP-Lite; or, lacking a valid code, configured as XCAP-Demo to browse, but not use, XCAP's features.
XCAP-Std is an interactive, imaging program designed for scientific, industrial, and machine vision applications. XCAP-Std supports the PIXCI imaging board, providing video format and resolution configuration; continuous (live), video rate sequence, and triggered capture; and single or sequence, zoomed or resized, display. The image frame buffers of PIXCI imaging boards can be loaded, examined, processed, analyzed, measured, printed, annotated, and saved.
XCAP-Std also allows loading and analyzing a pre-existing image or image sequence with size, pixel depth, and color space independent of the PIXCI imaging board's configuration; XCAP-Std can be used with pre-existing images even when the PIXCI imaging board is not present. XCAP-Std can also acquire images from TWAIN compliant devices.
XCAP-Plus provides extra, advanced, features in addition to all of the capabilities of the XCAP-Std, such as support for specialized, optional, hardware.
XCAP-Lite is a basic version of XCAP-Std. XCAP-Lite provides similar image acquisition and PIXCI imaging board control capabilities, video format and resolution configuration; continuous (live), video rate sequence, and triggered capture; and single or sequence, zoomed or resized, display. XCAP-Lite also provides some of the image loading, examining, printing, and saving features, but minimal processing, measurement, analysis, and scripting features are functional. XCAP-Lite can also be used with pre-existing images, but only while the PIXCI imaging board is present and opened for use.
XCAP-Demo allows browsing through the dozens of processing, measurement, analysis, and graphics features provided in XCAP-Plus, XCAP-Std, or XCAP-Lite. Images can't be loaded from, or saved to, files. Nor can the PIXCI imaging board be operated with the XCAP-Demo version.
As XCAP-Plus, XCAP-Std, and XCAP-Lite share many common features, this manual typically refers to all versions as XCAP, except where explicitly differentiated.
The XCAP programs are organized into two major types of windows, the Image Viewer Window and the Main Window.
For each image, or sequence of images, an Image Viewer Window shows that image, or a selected image of that sequence, and via its menu bar allows viewing, examining, processing, analyzing, or drawing upon that image (sequence). The Image Viewer Window associated with the PIXCI imaging board's frame buffers also provides features for capturing new images. There can be multiple Image Viewer Windows for the same image (sequence), allowing, for example, viewing the image both zoomed and unzoomed, or simultaneous viewing of different images of a sequence.
The Main Window allows creating new image (sequences), and thus new Image Viewer Windows, either by loading a new image from file, explicit specification of the new image's dimensions, or by opening the PIXCI imaging board for use. Video setup for the PIXCI imaging board, such as modifying the video resolution or color space, are also in the Main Window; these features destroy and re-create the PIXCI imaging board's Image Viewer Window. The Main Window also provides features not directly associated with an image (sequence), such as scripts, RS-232 device control, and features to customize XCAP.
The XCAP main window provides a menu bar with File, Images, Scripts, Utility, PIXCI®, and Help features.
The main window's File allows loading of pre-existing images into new image buffers, displaying attributes about pre-existing images, and acquiring images from TWAIN compliant devices.
The Load New Image and Load New Image Sequence creates a new image buffer (sequence) with dimensions, pixel depth, and color space matching a specified TIFF, BMP, or multimedia format file(s), and loads the image(s) from the file(s). This feature, and the image buffer (sequence) created, is unrelated to the PIXCI imaging board's frame buffers. After creation and loading, the new image (sequence) is displayed, processed, and analyzed in The Image Viewer Window, described below. The XCAP-Lite version does not provide the Load New Image Sequence feature.
The Image File Info displays information about a specified TIFF or BMP format file without loading the image. The information displayed includes the image's dimensions, pixel depth, color space, palette option, and other file format specific information.
The TWAIN Select Source and TWAIN New Acquire allow using XCAP as a TWAIN Application, acquiring images from TWAIN compliant imaging devices (TWAIN Sources). The TWAIN Select Source allows selecting which TWAIN Source is to be used, and the TWAIN New Acquire allows acquiring one image from the TWAIN Source. The XCAP-Lite version does not support being used as a TWAIN Application.
The Window List displays a list of active windows belonging to XCAP; selecting a window causes that window to appear, if previously hidden, and/or to appear over other windows (subject to the priority of selected windows to always appear ''on top'').
The main window's Images allows creating new image buffers and activating any existing image windows that may not be on-screen.
The New Image creates a new image buffer, or sequence of image buffers, with specified dimensions, pixel depth, color space, and palette. This feature, and the image buffer created, is unrelated to the PIXCI imaging board's frame buffers. After creation, the new image is displayed in an The Image Viewer Window, as described below.
Underneath New Image are listed all existing image windows, whether for PIXCI imaging board frame buffers, or for independent image buffers. (The image window for PIXCI imaging board frame buffers appears only after the PIXCI imaging board has been opened for use, see below). An image window which has been closed and thereby off-screen can be reactivated by clicking the image window's name.
The main window's Scripts provides features for recording and playing scripts. A script recording contains most of the user's interactions with the windows of XCAP; playing the script duplicates the original actions.
Some user actions are not recorded. Using the mouse to drag the cursor or other graphic across an image is not recorded as these actions are highly dependent upon image content (such as the typical scenario of dragging the cursor until it is positioned next to an artifact in a captured image), would likely be inappropriate to other captured images, and would consume a significant amount of disk space. Instead, after positioning the cursor interactively the user can record the final position by clicking the appropriate numeric cursor coordinates. Features activated with keys, or clicking icons are not currently recorded; such features can also activated by other means, which are recorded.
A recorded script is in a human readable form and can be altered with any common editor capable of handling ASCII text, allowing scripts to be modified or combined. A selected script may be executed automatically after XCAP starts, this feature is set in Utility, Program Setup, Startup Script.
The Load Tool Bar provides one or more user-defined tool bars of shortcuts, each shortcut represented by an icon which, when clicked, executes a user-specified script. Each shortcut may also specify an optional keyboard key which, when pressed, also executes the user-specified script.
The Script Remote Control allows using XCAP as a hidden, off-screen, ''black box''; any end-user application that can manipulate text files, can also remotely control XCAP.
The XCAP-Lite version does not support recording scripts, creating user-defined tool bars, or the remote control feature. The XCAP-Lite version can play scripts previously created with XCAP.
The main window's Utility provides an assortment of features which are of secondary importance; features which allow fine tuning of XCAP, or features needed in relatively few circumstances.
The Black Board allows customizing XCAP, creating non-procedural programs, and collecting data. The black board allows inter-connecting the numeric and text field of other windows; computed results, such as center-of-mass, may be written onto the black board - parameters for other features, such as the coordinates of a displayed grid, may be extracted from the black board - combining these automatically repositions the grid as the center of mass is recomputed! Other features allow computed values (similar to a spreadsheet), ''push''ing buttons, timed updates, creating a report to file or an RS-232 port, collecting data, and graphing the black board's contents. The XCAP-Lite version allows use of the Black Board for computing values (similar to a spreadsheet), but does not allow inter-connections with other features or creating reports or graphs.
A Message Log window lists warnings and errors that arise from performing various operations. By default, the message log window appears automatically when a message is added, and disappears a few seconds later. Auto appearance, auto hide, and audible clicks can be disabled (from the message log window's menu bar). The menu-bar's Message Log allows explicit activation of the message log window.
The Program Setup shows information about the installed XCAP components, such as their revision level, and sets various configuration options. For versions of XCAP which require an authorization key, it also shows the ID of the key required by the instant copy of XCAP.
The Program Setup allows specifying the name of a script to be executed when XCAP starts, whether warning dialog's (if any) are to be shown, whether previously saved settings are to be loaded, and other similar initial or terminal conditions.
The Program Setup also enables user-defined translation of XCAP labels and messages for use in non-English speaking countries. The XCAP-Lite version does not support creating user-defined translated labels and messages, but may use translated labels and messages previously created with XCAP.
The Windows Info displays information about the current Windows environment, such as memory usage and the S/VGA display adapter's features, as reported by Windows. The Java Info displays information about the status of Java, under which XCAP runs. Both of these features are primarily of use in resolving questions submitted to EPIX, Inc. Technical Support.
The Window Style allows setting some characteristics of XCAP windows, such as color or character size and font. Some characteristics of window style are instead controlled by the Windows Control Panel.
The Audio Clip allows recording and playing short audio ''clips''.
The RS-232 Control allows controlling devices connected via the RS-232 port. The RS-232 Control is designed specifically for device control, including options to communicate with byte values, rather than as a common ''terminal emulator''.
The I/O Port Peek & Poke allows controlling arbitrary devices accessible via I/O port peeks and pokes. This feature must be used with caution; peeking or poking arbitrary ports will cause computer malfunction! This feature is not available under Windows NT.
The Screen Capture allows capturing the current S/VGA screen graphics, saving the graphics to a file, or printing the graphics. The Screen Capture also allows capturing numeric and textual parameters into a text file, suitable for loading into a spreadsheet or other programs. The XCAP-Lite version does not support screen capture.
The main window's PIXCI® allows initiating access to the PIXCI imaging board and provides configuration options. Actual operation of the PIXCI imaging board is performed through the PIXCI image viewer window's menu-bar.
The PIXCI® Open/Close allows opening access to, or closing access to, the PIXCI imaging board. Once open, the model (and submodel, as appropriate) of the PIXCI imaging board is available via the Board Info button. After opening, the contents of the PIXCI image board's frame buffer(s) are displayed in The Image Viewer Window, and a tool bar of PIXCI® Image Viewer - Capture - Shortcuts is shown, as described below.
The PIXCI® Video Setup allows configuring the video format, video resolution and other, model specific, video characteristics. For example, for PIXCI SV2, SV3, and SV4 models, the PIXCI® Video Setup allows selecting NTSC, RS-170, S-VIDEO, CCIR, or PAL, allows selecting the video window size and capture resolution, and selecting other video acquisition characteristics. For other models, such as the PIXCI® D, fewer options may be provided, as the PIXCI® D models are camera specific.
The current video setup is automatically saved when access to the PIXCI imaging board is closed, and reloaded when the PIXCI image board is later opened. The PIXCI® Save Video Setup and PIXCI® Load Video Setup may be used to explicitly save or reload the current video setup, such as to choose amongst several favorite setups, or to export the current video setup to the XCIP program or the XCOBJ library.
The PIXCI® Status shows the PIXCI imaging board's current status, such as the state of the TTL trigger input(s) and output(s), the number of elapsed video fields, the board's model and submodel, and configured image memory size.
The PIXCI® Connections provides, as appropriate for the specific model of PIXCI imaging board, a map of the board's connections, connectors, option jumpers, and adjustments.
The PIXCI® Camera Info provides a list of cameras and video formats supported by XCAP and various PIXCI® imaging boards. The PIXCI® Camera Info also allows viewing a non-operational Capture - Adjustments dialog (i.e. the ''Control Panel'', which provides integrated control of both imaging board and any supported camera.
The PIXCI® TWAIN Sourcery allows using XCAP, in conjunction with the PIXCI® TWAIN driver, as a component of a ''smart'' TWAIN Source, allowing other applications to capture images from the PIXCI® imaging board, while XCAP provides imaging board, camera controls, and, optionally, image preprocessing. (The XCAP-Lite version does not provide image preprocessing). See the PIXCI® TWAIN driver documentation for additional details. The PIXCI® TWAIN Sourcery should not be confused with TWAIN New Acquire; the former allows XCAP to provide image data to other, TWAIN compliant applications; the latter allows XCAP to accept image data from other TWAIN compliant sources. The TWAIN New Acquire should never be used to attempt to acquire image data from the PIXCI® TWAIN Sourcery!
The PIXCI® Image-Pro Sourcery allows using XCAP, in conjunction with the PIXCI® Image-Pro driver, as a component of a ''smart'' video source, allowing Image-Pro to capture images from the PIXCI® imaging board, while XCAP provides imaging board, camera controls, and, optionally, image preprocessing.
Each image buffer (sequence), or frame buffer (sequence), is displayed in an image viewer window, which is the focus of activity for examining, processing, or analyzing that image buffer (sequence). The image viewer window provides a menu bar with File, View, Examine, Modify, Measure, Draw, AOI, and Help features. The image viewer window associated with the PIXCI imaging board's frame buffer(s) also provides a Capture feature.
The image viewer window's File allows saving, loading, or printing the image, shows information about the image's dimensions, pixel depth and color space, and allows closing the image viewer window.
The Load Image and Save Image allow saving or loading the image in a variety of file formats. The Load Image, unlike the Load New Image described above, loads an image file into the current image buffer, resizing and/or color converting to fit the image buffer's existing dimensions, pixel depth, and color space.
For image viewer windows associated with an image buffer sequence, the Save Image Sequence and Load Image Sequence allow saving or loading multiple images of the sequence as a numbered sequence of image files, or as a single TIFF or AVI format image file with multiple images. The XCAP-Lite version does not support loading or saving of image buffer sequences in a single operation; however multiple uses of Load Image or Save Image can load or save each image buffer of a sequence.
The E-Mail Image allows directly e-mail'ing the image, in a variety of file formats, from within XCAP. The XCAP-Lite version does not support the E-Mail Image feature.
The Print, Windows and Print, PXIPL allow printing the image; the former printing via Windows and supporting a wide variety of printers, the latter printing via the PXIPL library and supporting only the most popular printers, but providing precise control of print options. The XCAP-Lite version does not allow printing via the PXIPL library.
The Attributes shows the image's (or image sequence's) dimensions, pixel depth, and color space.
The Duplicate Image allows creating a new image buffer, and copying the image, in one step. It optionally allows co