Advanced eCapture Pro Tools

Live View in eCapture Pro includes a robust set of advanced tools to optimize image quality, streamline system configuration, and simplify the management of multi-camera systems. These tools let you take full advantage of the performance and capabilities of Emergent Vision cameras—especially in high-resolution and high-frame-rate environments.

This section introduces the advanced features available in eCapture Pro and explains how to use them effectively. The features are organized into four main areas:

• Image Analysis Tools – Utilities such as histograms, false color, and focus assist that provide real-time visual feedback during setup and operation.
• Look-Up Tables (LUTs) – Apply custom or predefined tone and color mappings to images.
• Display Groups – Organize and control multiple camera streams for more efficient monitoring and recording.

Whether you're deploying a complex vision system or setting up a synchronized multi-camera environment, these tools let you configure Emergent Vision cameras quickly and confidently, with minimal manual intervention. Each section below includes usage steps and recommendations.

Image Analysis Tools

Image analysis tools in eCapture Pro provide immediate visual feedback to help you evaluate exposure, contrast, sharpness, and dynamic range during live streaming. These tools affect only on-screen visualization and system tuning. They do not alter recorded or saved image data.

Histogram

The histogram shows the distribution of pixel intensity values in the current frame. Use it to adjust exposure and gain, avoid underexposure or overexposure, and ensure balanced image brightness.

To use the histogram:

1. In Live View, select a camera that is capturing images.
2. In the Camera Parameters panel, expand the Histogram pane.
3. Watch the live plot as it updates in real time.
4. (Optional) Use the GREY, R, G, and B buttons to switch between grayscale and individual color channel histograms.
5. Adjust exposure and gain settings to center the histogram and avoid clipping.

Understanding the histogram:

• The horizontal axis shows pixel intensity values, typically ranging from 0 (black) to 255 (white) for 8-bit images. Higher-bit-depth formats use wider ranges.
• The vertical axis shows the number of pixels at each intensity level.
• A left-skewed histogram means most pixels are dark. Increase exposure or gain to brighten the image.
• A right-skewed or clipped histogram means overexposure. Reduce exposure or gain to recover details.
• A balanced histogram typically spreads across a wide range without clipping at either end.

False Color

False color overlays colors on regions of the image that exceed a specified intensity threshold. This makes it easier to identify saturation or confirm uniform illumination.

Note: False color affects only the preview stream. It does not modify recorded image data.

To use the false color tool:

1. In Live View, select a camera that is capturing images.
2. In the Live View toolbar, click the False Color button.
3. In the False Color dialog, select Enable False Color.
4. Set the brightness Threshold and choose a contrasting false Color.
5. Observe the overlay on the live stream and adjust exposure or lighting as needed.
6. To disable false color, return to the False Color dialog and select Disable False Color.

Focus Tool

The Focus Tool analyzes contrast and edge detail to evaluate image sharpness in real time. It provides a live plot and numeric values that guide manual lens focusing.

To use the Focus Tool:

1. Enable full-resolution display: In Live View, right-click the live stream and select Single display (Full res) to increase resolution.
   Note: Displaying at full resolution improves focus accuracy but may increase CPU usage—especially with color sensors that require debayering.
2. In the Camera Parameters panel, expand the Focus Tool pane.
3. (Optional) Adjust the Threshold (%) slider to highlight the desired sharpness range.
   When the current focus value is above the threshold, the threshold line appears green. When below, it appears red.
4. (Optional) Define focus regions of interest (ROIs):
   
   • In the Focus Tool pane, click the ROI button to enable ROI drawing.
   • Draw one or more ROIs on the camera's live stream image.
   • Click the Reset Data button to clear previous measurements.
5. Adjust the focus of the camera lens until the graph reaches its peak—this indicates optimal sharpness.

Look-Up Tables

A look-up table (LUT) lets you adjust image tone or color directly in the camera. Use LUTs to enhance contrast, apply gamma correction, or simulate post-processing effects.

LUTs are commonly used for:

• Improving visibility of features during inspection
• Matching image output to industry color standards
• Compressing high dynamic range for display or analysis

You can apply a LUT in one of two ways:

• Load a custom LUT from a CSV file
• Generate a LUT using a gamma curve

Note: Depending on the camera model, LUTs may affect only live preview, only recorded output, or both.

Applying a Custom LUT from a CSV File

Use this method when you have a predefined LUT saved as a .csv file—for example, to match a calibrated tone curve or a custom grayscale mapping.

CSV file requirements:

• Plain text format (.csv), with one integer per line
• No headers, no commas, no blank lines
• Number of lines must match camera bit depth:
  • 1024 lines for 10-bit input
  • 4096 lines for 12-bit input
• Output values must be valid integers (commonly 0–255)

Steps:

1. Open Live View and select a supported camera.
2. In the Camera Parameters panel, expand the LUT section.
3. Select Browse for LUT file.
4. Click the ellipsis (...) button and choose your .csv file.
5. Click Open.
6. Click Apply to apply the LUT to the selected camera, or Apply to All to apply it to all connected cameras.
   eCapture Pro will validate the file, load the LUT values, and upload them to the camera.

Generating a LUT Using a Gamma Curve

Use this method when you want to apply a gamma tone curve directly, without creating a custom file. This is useful for contrast enhancement or live monitoring.

Steps:

1. Open Live View and select a supported camera.
2. In the Camera Parameters panel, expand the LUT section.
3. Select the Gamma option.
4. Enter or choose a gamma value (e.g., 0.8, 1.6, or 2.2).
5. Click Apply to apply the LUT to the selected camera, or Apply to All to apply it to all connected cameras.
   eCapture Pro will generate the LUT entries based on the gamma value and upload them to the camera automatically.

Display Groups

Display Groups in eCapture Pro let you organize live camera streams into separate, customizable groups. These groups (which can be named anything, such as "Pod 1" or "Line A") make it easier to manage and monitor multiple cameras efficiently.

Use Display Groups to:

• Organize multiple camera streams by task, physical area, or function.
• Simplify the Live View by separating cameras into manageable groups.
• Focus on specific camera sets for setup, calibration, or monitoring.
  Customize the layout based on your workflow or physical setup.
• View groups in separate windows on multiple monitors.
  

Note: If you're working with many cameras, reduce the thumbnail resolution and display frame rate for each group to lower CPU usage.

Prerequisite: Unlock the Image Display Groups View Panel

Before you can configure display groups, you must unlock the Image Display Groups View Panel.

1. In the eCapture Pro Live View, go to the Image Display Groups View panel.
2. Click the Lock button (🔒) on the toolbar at the top of the panel to unlock it.
3. When you finish configuring the display groups, lock the panel.

Note: Unlocking the Image Display Groups View panel disables the zoom and pan features in the middle panel and the region of interest (ROI) features in the right panel.

Adding, Renaming, and Deleting Display Groups

You can add, rename, and delete display groups for better organization.

To add a display group:

1. In the eCapture Pro Live View, ensure the Image Display Groups View panel is unlocked.
2. Click the Add Display Group button (+).
3. Enter a name for the new group and press Enter.
   The new group appears on the panel.
   

To rename a display group:

1. In the eCapture Pro Live View, ensure the Image Display Groups View panel is unlocked.
2. Change the name in the Group name field and press Enter.
   

To delete a display group:

1. In the eCapture Pro Live View, ensure the Image Display Groups View panel is unlocked.
2. Click the trash icon next to the group you want to delete.
   Any cameras in the deleted group move the first group in the panel.

Note: You cannot delete the last remaining group. At least one display group must remain.

Assigning Cameras to Display Groups

There are two methods for assigning cameras to a display group. You can either assign a camera from

Method 1: Assigning a camera from the camera view panel to a display group:

1. In the eCapture Pro Live View, ensure the Image Display Groups View panel is unlocked.
2. In the middle Camera View panel, select the tab of the display group that currently contains the camera. (For the example in the following screenshot, that is the DefaultGroup.)
3. Right-click the camera’s tile, select Move to Group from the shortcut menu, and then select the display group.
   

Method 2: Dragging a camera from one group to another in the Image Display Groups View panel:

1. In the eCapture Pro Live View, ensure the Image Display Groups View panel is unlocked.
2. In the same panel, click a camera’s name in one display group, and then drag it to the other group. (For the example in the following screenshot, a camera is dragged from the DefaultGroup to Pod 1.)

Reordering Cameras Within a Display Group

You can change the order that cameras appear in the middle Camera View panel by changing their order in their group on the Image Display Groups View panel.

1. In the eCapture Pro Live View, ensure the Image Display Groups View panel is unlocked.
2. In the Image Display Groups View panel, click a camera’s name, and then drag it up or down within the same group.

Detaching Display Groups into Separate Windows

You can monitor a display group independently in its own window, which is ideal for multi-monitor use.

1. In the Live View middle Camera View panel, select the tab of the display group you want to detach.
2. In the same panel, click the Detach button.
   The group’s cameras appear in a new window.
3. To reattach a display group to the Camera View panel, close the detached window.