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  • Protee : How to setup machine vision cameras

    Protee : How to setup machine vision cameras

    This post will explain how to install and setup the machine vision cameras for LA and H-cam. This will be a work in progress and I will add to this post when I find time. They are also working on a new ball detection method so the procedure will change slightly.

    This link explains how to install the PTgrey camera drivers.
    csc.protee-united.com/entries/21114743-I...ision-camera-drivers

    Installing the drivers basically consist of installing the Flycapture 2.2. You can download it from Ptgrey.com or it can be found on the Protee install directory.

    USBview utility:
    Each camera will require an active USB 2.0 extension(16ft max) plus a USB to mini cable(12ft max). I would not go any longer than the two combined. Each camera should be connected to USB ports that are on separate controllers. You can use USBview
    www.ftdichip.com/Support/Utilities.htmto view the USB controllers and USB devices.

    H-CAM mounts:
    http://golfsimulatorforum.com/forum/...-housing-ideas


    LENSES:
    http://golfsimulatorforum.com/forum/...-camera-lenses

    Changing out the ProTee lens:
    First, see if you can just unscrew the old lens out. If you can't(don't force it), you'll have to remove the tiny set screw. Easiest way is to remove the camera shell first by removing the 4 screws at the corners. Then remove the set screw from the lens holder. Install the camera shell back on and screw in the new lens, hand tighten. Don't put the set screw back in. Just keep in a safe place in case you need it in the future. Adjust the two knobs for focus and you're done.


    Lights:
    You can use the ProTee lights or do it yourself. Here's a DIY lights thread:

    http://golfsimulatorforum.com/forum/...-lights-system

    The sensor mat light should use a 60-75w halogen spot bulb, while the 2nd light should be 60-75w flood(40-45* beam). The wattage depends on the mounted height of the lights.

    The sensor mat light should be mounted directly above the tee location, and not the center of the sensor mat. The 2nd light should be mounted directly above the putting sensor. The beam from the second light should overlap the sensor mat beam just a little, but not too much. Trust me on this one. See my H-cam picture.


    Mounting the Vcam:
    The V-cam can be mounted left or right, 6-7 ft from the sim room's center line and about 1 ft ahead of the sensor mat. It does not have to be exact(PT5). What's important is that it needs to be as low to the floor as possible and pointing slightly up, maybe 5-10*, and pointing perpendicular to the center line. Put a ball on a tee. Adjust the camera's position so that the ball is sitting on top of the red box in the camera. Use the horizontal line to align the camera. You want the horizontal line to be parallel with the floor or sensor mat.

    Note: If mounting the V-cam on the left, set the image to flip, save and exit out completely and restart the interface for the changes to take affect.

    Mounting the H-cam:

    H-cam is mounted on the target line between the putting sensor and the main sensor. Exact distance will depend on the mounting height. Set the H-cam method to PT1 and resolution to 640X480 if using my lens, then use the view in the camera to find the mounting location. Ball must be in the red square.

    PT camera methods:

    # Investigation methods Vertical Camera:
    # PT1= Find first point from the right bottom corner, investigating vertical lines (default)
    # PT2= Find first point from the left top corner, investigating horizontal lines
    # PT3= Investigate at an angle of ~45 degrees, perpendicular on this line
    # PT4= Analyse picture by finding the longest line, use tee-box and one point on this line
    # PT5= Analyse picture by finding the longest line, without using the tee-box (preferred)

    # Investigation methods Horizontal Camera:
    # PT1= Find first point from the right bottom corner, investigating vertical lines
    # PT4= Analyse picture by finding the longest line, use tee-box and one point on this line (default)
    # PT5= Analyse picture by finding the longest line, without using the tee-box (preferred)

    When setting up the cameras for the first time, it best to set all PT methods to PT1's. Then use my recommended settings below. Please see the recommended interfacesettings section on how to change settings. http://golfsimulatorforum.com/forum/...rface-settings

    Investigate_V_cam_method_wedges=PT5
    Investigate_V_cam_method_non_wedges=PT5
    Investigate_H_cam_method=PT1
    Investigate_V_cam_method_driver=PT5
    Investigate_H_cam_method_driver=PT1

    Vertical Cam Setup: csc.protee-united.com/entries/22330292-V...-Launch-Camera-Setup

    Changing camera resolutions:
    To change the resolution using the camera stream, set "Left" to 56. "Top" to 0.

    "Width" to 640. "Height" to 480. Apply, OK.

    Then click on "Preview" and make sure the resolution changed.

    If you can match mine, image wise and settings wise, it should work pretty good.
    Click image for larger version

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    H-cam setup is very similar to the Vcam setup above.

    If you can match mine, image wise and settings wise, it should work pretty good.
    Click image for larger version

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    1) In the H-cam setup window, select the ball path camera(via serial #) from the drop down list.

    2) Set the H-cam's resolution to 640X480. See instructions above.

    3) Set all settings to match mine in the above picture for both screens. In the "camera device" window(little box on the left in the picture above), shutter speed is 14 and frame rate is 40 fps. Set everything else to zero, including gain. Make sure to uncheck "auto" for everything. When making changes to the frame rate or resolution, you must click "preview" for the changes to take affect.

    4) Once all settings are set, mount the H-cam as high as you can and just forward of the sensor mat. It should be pointing straight down perpendicular to the floor. Put the tee location in the center of the red box. Use the vertical and horizontal lines to align the camera. Perfect alignment = accurate measurements.

    My settings will get you going. Depending on your floor's reflective property and lighting conditions, you might have to make a few adjustments. If you adjust the shutter and/or gain to match the look of what I have above, you should be good. Test some swings with Driver, wood, iron, and wedge. Must select the club for each type of test. If the software is detecting the club instead of the ball streak, adjust the minimum greyscale for that type of club until the software can detect the ball streak without failure.

    You must also click "save" as you exit the setup screens for the changes to be saved.


    Solution for those that loses camera settings on power down/reboot:
    csc.protee-united.com/entries/23152196-F...r-down-or-disconnect

    Enjoy!
    Last edited by Maverick; 11-16-2014, 09:14 PM.

  • #46
    That did it. I had to completely remove and reinstall. And check the box in step 9.

    Thanks!

    Comment


    • #47
      Originally posted by danpho123 View Post
      That did it. I had to completely remove and reinstall. And check the box in step 9.

      Thanks!
      Glad you got it working. Check your messages at the top right corner of this site.

      Comment


      • #48
        Zmax - Thanks for helping with my cam setup last night. Unfortunately this morning I was burned by not completing this step: http://csc.protee-united.com/entries...-or-disconnect

        Before I realized that was the problem I assumed it was an issue with a corrupt settings file so stupid me did a complete uninstall and reinstall from scratch. So now I am stuck again at not knowing how to get the resolution to change and set the right frame rate. Do you remember the exact steps and sequence we did last night to get it setup? It was a really weird sequence. If it wasn't 2am when you dialed in I probably would have remembered myself
        Central Time

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        • #49
          Change camera resolution in interface settings(ALT E). Disable all auto stuff. Change frame rate to 30 fps for Vcam. Apply, OK. Then preview. Good thing I have DVR. Walking Dead time...

          Comment


          • #50
            That worked thanks!
            Central Time

            Comment


            • #51
              Build is complete! Just want a sanity check on my settings, I have been playing around with them a lot. All seems to be ok but I am curious if I should try and get it better or just leave things alone and start playing! See the below screens shots.

              Vcam settings:

              Shutter - 21.93
              Gain - 9.36
              Frame Rate - 39.42

              Hcam settings:

              Shutter - 32.49
              Gain - 4.54
              Frame Rate - 31.35

              Stock lenses from ProTee.

              Notice that I have a lower frame rate and higher shutter speed on the Hcam vs the Vcam (trying to get the streak bright). Interested if I should replicate the vcam setting to match or vice verse.
              Central Time

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              • #52
                The Hcam looks fine. The 8 iron ball streak on the Vcam is kinda faint. It works ok there but how does the ball streak from a driver look? The faster ball speed should be more faint. If it works, then you're good to go. If you need the ball streak to be brighter for the driver, decrease the frame rate so you can increase the shutter, which will also allow you to lower the gain.
                Last edited by Maverick; 10-28-2014, 09:59 PM.

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                • #53
                  Things are getting better with misreads since the last switch over to PT5 on the Hcam!

                  Quick question - Is there a way to monitor both cameras at the same time? What I am doing now is extending my display so I have the range session on the impact screen and the interface showing either an Hcam or Vcam via my laptop. That way if a misread happens I can take a look at the actual capture and get an idea of why it happened and also tweak the settings a little better.

                  It would be nice to be able to see both at the same time vs. just one at a time. Is there a way to do that?
                  Central Time

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                  • #54
                    No, you can only look at one or the other.

                    Comment


                    • #55
                      I have just purchased a protee system and was looking for some help with my camera setup. You can see with the 2 attached pictures the launch is picking up my club and not the ball. I have had 2 remote sessions with protee and although we thought we fixed it as soon as they were done most of the launches were wrong again. My camera is on the left side and is about 9' from the mat. I could move it back to the right side but that would only be 4.5' from the mat. I was wondering if anyone knows how to fix my issue. Any help would be greatly appreciated. I purchased all of my setup right from protee. Thanks

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                      • #56
                        This is a better photo of my launch. Thanks.

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                        • #57
                          Jonny, welcome. I don't see any screenshots!

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                          • #58
                            Bubba sorry please see pic above.

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                            • #59
                              To upload pics, click on "A" for advance mode. Then click on the picture icon. Then select upload to server. Pics should be in JPEG format.

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                              • #60

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