FlyCapture2 Feature Comparison with Spinnaker¶
Spinnaker re-engineered the way camera features are accessed compared to FlyCapture2. Camera features and properties are now named according to the standard GenICam Feature Naming Convention (SFNC). For programmers not familiar with GenICam, see EMVA's GenICam Standard introduction.
IIDC register read and write is no longer available. Instead, camera properties are accessed through the GenICam node map.
Feature Comparison¶
| FlyCapture2 Feature | Spinnaker Equivalent | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| IIDC register read and write (AsyncTriggerEx) | GenICam node map get/set values (Acquisition) | Typically used to access camera settings or control camera state |
| Embedded image info (MultipleCameraWriteToDiskEx) | Chunk data (ChunkData) | Allows the camera to add image metadata to the transmission |
| ImageEvents (ImageEventEx) | GenICam message or event channel (DeviceEvents) | Signals the user when events such as image arrival occur |
| FC2Config struct (grab mode, num_buffer) (RecordingDialog) | Stream node map (NodeMapInfo) | Used to set buffer mode and number of buffers |
| Error return code (FlyCapture2Test) | Exceptions (Acquisition) | New error handling uses exceptions instead of error codes |
| Format7 packet size for bandwidth control (GigEGrabEx) | DeviceLinkLayerThroughputLimit |
Defines total available bandwidth for the camera |
| Imaging mode (e.g., Format7 mode 1) (CustomImageEx) | Binning controls in GenICam | Reduces resolution to achieve faster frame rate or brighter images |
| Events callback (BusEventEx_CSharp) | Register event class with overloaded functions (EnumerationEvents) | Bus event callbacks such as camera arrival and removal |
| GUID to identify and track cameras (FlyCapture2Test) | Unique camera class (Acquisition) | Used to access camera features in the SDK |
Terminology Changes¶
| FlyCapture2 | Spinnaker | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Brightness | Black Level | Output of the camera when not illuminated |
| Exposure | Exposure and Gain | Combination of the camera's shutter and gain; also known as average intensity |
| Shutter | Exposure | Amount of time the electronic shutter stays open |
| Packet Size | GevSCPSPacketSize |
Size of packets, in bytes, to send on the selected channel for a GVSP transmitter or receiver |
| Packet Delay | GevSCPD |
Delay to insert between each packet for this stream channel |
| Trigger Mode 0 | TriggerSelector → FrameStart, AcquisitionMode → Continuous |
Camera starts integration of light from external trigger source; exposure time controlled by Exposure setting |
| Trigger Mode 1 | TriggerSelector → ExposureActive, AcquisitionMode → Continuous |
Same as Trigger Mode 0 except sensor exposure time is controlled by the external trigger source |
| Trigger Mode X | Logic Block (Blackfly S only) | All other trigger modes. Logic Block allows you to define any internal logic, including custom trigger modes. See Using Logic Blocks |
| Memory Channel | User Set | Storing camera settings onto non-volatile memory |
| High Dynamic Range (HDR) | Sequencer (Blackfly S) / HDR (USB3 Vision cameras) | Cycling of frames with different settings (gain, exposure) to capture the dynamic range of the scene. See Using the Sequencer Feature |
| Frame Buffer | Transfer Control | Transferring of image data to the host |
| Video Mode | Image Format Control | Controls that define binning/decimation and image size |
| Mirror / Flip | Reverse X / Reverse Y | Flipping the image horizontally or vertically |
| Grab | Acquisition | Process of capturing images |
| Property | Feature / Node | Camera parameter accessible via GenICam node map |