Image

The In-Sight Image tool processes the input image to enhance desirable features while removing or diminishing undesirable features; the result is an enhanced input image or a new output image that is better suited for additional data-extraction functions such as Blob or Histogram analysis. For more information, see Blob and Histogram.

The Image tool includes the following functions:

  • ColorToGreyscaleFilter: Converts each pixel in a color image or region of interest (ROI) to a greyscale value based on a simple filter of one color parameter. (For color In-Sight vision systems and color-enabled emulators only.)
  • CompareImage: Compares a template image with an input image to produce a greyscale output image where every pixel represents the normalized difference.
  • ComputeImageSharpness: Computes a measure of the relative focus of an input image as part of an iterative process for refocusing an In-Sight vision system lens.

  • Filter: Produces a color or greyscale output image where every pixel is the result of an image-enhancement technique in the input image or ROI.

    Note: This function is only available on In-Sight vision systems running In-Sight firmware 5.1.0 and later. For a complete list of models and supported firmware versions, see Firmware Versions.
  • FindCircleDefects: Converts each pixel within an annular (ring-like) region in an input image to black or white based on a user-set threshold, with white indicating non-circular or non-radial features.
  • GreyscaleDistance: Converts each pixel of a color image or ROI to a greyscale value or to black or white based on a variety of user-set color parameters. (For color In-Sight vision systems or color-enabled emulators only.)
  • ImageMath: Produces a greyscale or black-and-white output image where every pixel is the result of an arithmetic operation—for example, addition, subtraction or averaging—performed between two input images. This is a multipurpose function.
  • LineScanDistortion: Produces an undistorted output image based on calculations from a TrainLineScanDistortion function, for use with In-Sight 5604 line scan vision systems.

  • NeighborFilter: Produces a greyscale output image where every pixel is the result of a "local" image-enhancement technique—for example, shrinking, expanding, filling, smoothing or edge enhancement—applied to a set of adjacent pixels ("neighbors") in the input image or ROI. This is a multipurpose function. For more information, refer to the "Inputs" section for NeighborFilter.

    Note: This function is only available on In-Sight vision systems running In-Sight firmware 4.x.x, and is not available on In-Sight vision systems running In-Sight firmware 5.1.0 and later. For a complete list of models and supported firmware versions, see Firmware Versions.

  • PointFilter: Produces a black-and-white or greyscale output image where every pixel is the result of a "global" image-enhancement technique—for example, thresholding, inversion, histogram equalization or greyscale stretching or clipping—applied to each pixel in the input image or ROI. This is a multipurpose function.

    Note: This function is only available on In-Sight vision systems running In-Sight firmware 4.x.x, and is not available on In-Sight vision systems running In-Sight firmware 5.1.0 and later. For a complete list of models and supported firmware versions, see Firmware Versions.
  • ScaleColorImage: Resamples the pixels in an color input image or ROI to produce a reduced, enlarged, unrotated or unbent version of the color image.
  • ScaleImage: Resamples the pixels in an input image or ROI to produce a reduced, enlarged, unrotated or unbent version of the image.

  • SceneCorrection: Produces a greyscale image to improve images with uneven lighting or shading.

    Note: This function is only available on In-Sight vision systems running In-Sight firmware 4.x.x, and is not available on In-Sight vision systems running In-Sight firmware 5.1.0 and later. For a complete list of models and supported firmware versions, see Firmware Versions.
  • SurfaceFX: Analyzes multiple images acquired with lighting from different directions to create a high contrast output image which highlights areas where surface height exhibits departures from smoothness, such as edges, creases, indentations and protrusions.
  • TrainLineScanDistortion: Calculates the lens distortion present in a region of an image for use with In-Sight 5604 and 9902L line scan vision systems.
  • WhiteBalance: Removes color casts in a color image by calculating its RGB (red, green and blue) values and correcting them according to color tables stored in the In-Sight job. (For color In-Sight vision systems and color-enabled emulators only.)

To view these Image functions by operation, see When Image Processing Is Used?.

Note: Functions that require an Image parameter must reference a spreadsheet cell that contains a valid Image data structure. The default Image parameter reference is cell A0, which contains the Image data structure returned by the AcquireImage function. Other valid Image parameters include Image data structures returned by CompareImage, FindCircleDefects, NeighborFilter and PointFilter.