Skip to content

Webcam

What is it?

The Webcam node allows you to capture images directly from your device's camera. It's perfect for real-time image capture, creating interactive workflows, or incorporating live camera input into your image processing pipelines.

When would I use it?

Use this node when you want to:

  • Capture images from your webcam or camera
  • Create real-time image processing workflows
  • Build interactive applications with live camera input
  • Capture photos for immediate processing
  • Create live image analysis or recognition systems
  • Build camera-based automation workflows

How to use it

Basic Setup

  1. Add the Webcam node to your workflow
  2. Click the "Capture" button to take a photo
  3. The captured image will be available at the "output" parameter

Parameters

Camera Settings

  • camera_index (0-10, default: 0): Which camera to use (if multiple cameras are available)

  • resolution: The capture resolution

    • 640x480: Standard resolution
    • 1280x720: HD resolution
    • 1920x1080: Full HD resolution
    • Custom: Set custom width and height

  • custom_width (pixels): Custom width when using "Custom" resolution

  • custom_height (pixels): Custom height when using "Custom" resolution

Capture Settings

  • auto_capture (boolean, default: false): Automatically capture images at intervals
  • capture_interval (seconds, default: 1): Interval between automatic captures

Outputs

  • output: The captured image from the camera

Example

A typical webcam workflow:

  1. Add the Webcam node to your workflow
  2. Set the camera settings:
    • Set camera_index to 0 for the default camera
    • Select "1280x720" resolution for HD quality
  3. Click the "Capture" button to take a photo
  4. Connect the "output" to DisplayImage to view the captured image
  5. Optionally connect to other processing nodes for real-time image processing

Important Notes

  • Camera Access: The node requires camera permissions to work
  • Real-time Capture: Images are captured in real-time when you click "Capture"
  • Multiple Cameras: Use camera_index to select different cameras if available
  • Resolution Control: Choose the appropriate resolution for your needs

Common Issues

  • No Camera Found: Make sure your camera is connected and not being used by other applications
  • Permission Denied: Grant camera permissions to the application
  • Poor Quality: Increase the resolution setting for better image quality
  • Camera Busy: Close other applications that might be using the camera

Technical Details

The node uses your device's camera system to:

  • Access available cameras
  • Capture images at the specified resolution
  • Provide real-time image capture capabilities
  • Support multiple camera inputs

This provides a powerful way to incorporate live camera input into your image processing workflows.