thoughts about image processing

[3dude_2231]

Hi guys,
just thinking of an after-project,
as mine is nearing it's end.

thought about getting into image processing,
CmuCam,webcams, etc.
just wondering,
how do I get started?
what do I need? (I program using C & ASM,I hope no new languages are necessary)
and what to expect?

thanks, Ran. =]

[EricVanWyk]

What do you want to get out of your image processing?

I have done/seen image processing done well in LabVIEW, MATLAB and Python (in descending order of awesome). I'm sure you could do just as well in C, you'll just need to find a good library.

It is also fun to play with OpenGL - try nehe.gamedev.net

[TimCraig]

Originally Posted by 3dude_2231

thought about getting into image processing,
CmuCam,webcams, etc.
just wondering,
how do I get started?
what do I need? (I program using C & ASM,I hope no new languages are necessary)
and what to expect?

The CMUCam that was distributed with the KOP is very limited for really learning image processing techniques since you're limited to what the firmware that's part of the camera system can do. The new CMUCam3 is more flexible since you can install your own software but is probably not a great place to start.

I've used OpenCV which is an Intel library which became an open source project to try some things. You can find out about it here:

http://opencvlibrary.sourceforge.net/

There is quite a bit of other information available if you search the web. Getting it set up can be a little tricky but one you have on of the simple webcam image capture programs set up and working, you can easily modify it.

There are also some good image processing articles on CodeProject.com. Some show the effects on existing digital pictures so you can bypass the whole image capture process while you're learning image processing techniques.

[3dude_2231]

thank you both very much,
uhh.. Tim, you said that the CMUCAMs aren't so great for a starting point,
but you didn't mention what would be, is a standard webcam better?

in addtion, i understood you guys have experience with PC connected cams,
I was thinking more in the sense of using the cam with a smaller controller,
(such as a large PIC), if that's my larger objective, where should I start?

Thanks again,
Ran.

[Chief Pride]

actually, i found areally great library for recognizing colors once... i wish i could remember the name, i will go search for it and when i find it i will give you the link

[TimCraig]

Originally Posted by 3dude_2231

Tim, you said that the CMUCAMs aren't so great for a starting point,
but you didn't mention what would be, is a standard webcam better?

Yes, a webcam with a desktop or laptop would be a better setup to learn actual image processing. The development and debugging cycle would be some much faster and simpler than using a small system where you have to continually develop on a bigger computer anyhow, download it to the target, and have very limited debugging capability. Not to mention the limited memory and processing power. Image processing can be very memory and compute intensive and for the educational part you probably don't want to skimp on either. Once you learn, then you can port it to a small system.

Originally Posted by 3dude_2231

I was thinking more in the sense of using the cam with a smaller controller,
(such as a large PIC), if that's my larger objective, where should I start?

One alternative to the CMUCam that I know of for small systems is the AVRCam. It's inexpensive and you can play with its programming. I believe it uses the same camera module that the CMUCam uses so you could potentially save that cost as well but you need to verify that. The toolset to program it is free as well. A lot of the people in the Silicon Valley Homebrew Robotics Club use AVR instead of PIC for their bot controllers.

http://www.jrobot.net/Projects/AVRcam.html