GenICam 3.0 release opens doors for 3D machine vision cameras

With the official release of the GenICam 3.0, integrators and end users will now be able to more easily deploy 3D cameras in vision systems, as the standard provides easier integration and access to 3D machine vision technologies.

This release of the GenICam standard—which marks the first time that access to 3D cameras is standardized—provides a means for communication and image acquisition between software and a camera. It also provides a controlled exchange which applies across various camera manufacturers and interfaces (GigE, USB3, CoaXPress, Camera Link HS). In addition, proprietary transport layers can make use of the new standardized GenICam 3D interface.

"Since practically all software solutions support the standard, GenICam compliant cameras are being recognized and put into operation automatically by the software," said Stephan Kieneke, 3D Product Manager at Automation Technology and member of the GenICam standard committee in an EMVA press release. "This facilitates the handling in particular for users with little experience in 3D imaging since they can access the 3D camera in a familiar working environment."

During VISION 2014 in Stuttgart, a demonstration at the International Machine Vision Standards booth showcased the interactions between 3D cameras and vision software using a preview of the new GenICam 3.0 standard. One new feature that the standard provides is the ability to extract 3D point clouds more easily with a new standardized data format.

"This will make it possible to perform the transformation of 2D pixels to 3D world coordinates either within the camera or have it calculated by the software according to the given standardized transformation parameters," explained Christoph Zierl, Technical Director at MVTec Software and Vice Chair of the GenICam standard committee. "Until now, this process was only possible through a proprietary manufacturer setting which complicated usability and interchangeability for the customer."

With GenICam now applying to 3D cameras, the EMVA and GenICam standard committee suggest that the ease of access to 3D image processing will set the scene for a much broader use moving forward.

View more information on the GenICam standard.

Share your vision-related news by contacting James Carroll, Senior Web Editor, Vision Systems Design

To receive news like this in your inbox, click here.

Join our LinkedIn group | Like us on Facebook | Follow us on Twitter | Check us out on Google +