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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.

  • #16
    Update instructions.

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    • #17

      see this one zmax

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      • #18
        Looks like you need to increase the ground level until the red line lines up with the streak.

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        • #19

          attached H CAM

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          • #20
            Hcam looks good too. But try raster at 1/4, same as sens.

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            • #21
              30 fps for vcam is the best? Ive been using 40- usually have no issues- but i had a friend over and recently
              switched to pt5 for v cam- and was loving it- we started when it was light outside- but when it got dark i was getting alot of misreads. I couldnt get the shutter to go higher than 21 ( i see your in the 30s)- i didnt have time to tweak so i went back to pt 1- but i will go back to pt5 tomorrow and use your settings exactly to start with- except I think i need to block off the right part of the image because the screen shows--

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              • #22
                The background in the Vcam needs to be dark, so yes, block off the screen.

                30 fps will allow the shutter to go up to 32. Which will give longer, easier to detect streaks. And also a brighter ball streak.

                After, changing the fps, shutter, and gain, you might have fine tune the minimum greyscale a little for each club type.

                Note: Not everybody will be able to have the shutter at 32 though. Depends on the lighting and background.

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                • #23
                  Originally posted by Crusty
                  I'm finally getting to the last stages of setting up my protee and have a couple of questions regarding the cameras. How far forward of the sensor mat should they be? Couldn't find much detail in the manual. Also, Z mentioned for better performance changing a lens on one of the cameras, I can't for the life of me find his original post, was this an important upgrade or only if you had problems?
                  Crusty, the info is in the first post of this thread. Also, read the rest of this thread.

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                  • #24
                    Thanks Z, I don't know how I missed this thread. Tons of info, very useful. Thanks

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                    • #25
                      Hi Zmax, how do i get to the setting.pgs file to adjust the camera resolution?
                      **Found it, in the Camera Stream section.**

                      Thanks.

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                      • #26
                        You can also access the settings file from anywhere in the interface by holding down ALT E.

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                        • #27
                          I just hooked up my Vcam and I can't seem to get it to capture my shot. I can see my ball and the horizontal line is shown, but when I hit a 7 iron per directions the capture screen below doesn't show anything. I assume there is some minor setting I have missed. Thanks for the help.

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                          • #28
                            post screen shots please
                            GC2 Eastern Time Zone, USA

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                            • #29
                              Yes, please post screen captures. Many things could be causing this.

                              One thing to try. Disable video capture, save , exit. Then reenable video capture, save, and exit. Check all camera settings and try it.

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                              • #30
                                The VCam issue fixed itself the next time I booted up. Now I'm looking into the HCam. How high off the ground should it be? I have a problem with my setup that there is a projector box in between the lights, so I can't mount the HCam where it needs to be to point straight down and see the ball on the tee. Even when I place the camera on the ceiling, 9-foot, the image doesn't seem be as large as the other screen caps. My image doesn't show the putting sensor like everyone else's does. Is it a problem mounting it below the projector box? That would be about 7.5' high. Is there a way to zoom out maybe? Does the HCam need to point straight down or can it point a little back or forward as long as it's straight? Thanks.

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