Ask the Experts
Published on: 07/17/2023
Last Reply on: 09/30/2024
Category: Vision Software
Technology: Vision
I am new to GigE Vision and need a generic C++SDK to access GigE cameras from all vendors. I purchased a camera from DaHeng (https://get-cameras.com/) and created a C++ class to access it. Now I downloaded and installed pylon Viewer from Basler to check if I can access the DaHeng camera using software from another vendor. Since GigE Vision is a standard I was thinking that should work but it doesn't. Is my understanding wrong here that GigE Vision is a standard that should work with all software from all vendors?
There could be some variation from manufacturer to the other, but the main issue is the manufacturer intentionally locks the SDK so it works only with its own cameras.
Khalid Tahraoui from Tesla | 08/02/2024
GigE Vision is a standard supported by many industrial camera manufacturers. And these manufacturers are careful to make their cameras compatible with all GigE Vision compliant software. However, there are often business reasons that prevent free software from one company to used with cameras made by another company. A lot of work goes into developing GigE Vision software. As Khalid noted, Basler intentionally prevents their Pylon software from communicating with cameras manufactured by other companies. Basler needs a revenue stream (from selling cameras) to enable supporting that "free" software. There are a couple imaging software companies that provide GigE Vision compatible drivers, SDK, and utility applications. These generally have a runtime license fee. One example is Zebra Aurora Imaging Library.
Brian Durand from I4 Solutions, LLC | 09/30/2024