How to Log Inspection Images

Complete the following steps to configure the Image Logging step:

1. In the Step Name control, enter a descriptive name for the step.
2. Select a step from the Image Logging table from which to log images.
3. Enable the Enable Image Logging control.
4. Select the Log Location for the step. You can choose to log images to either a local drive or to an FTP server.

   Note  Logging to a local drive is not supported for NI Smart Cameras.

   • To log images to a file on a local drive, complete the following steps:
     1. Select Log to Local Drive for the Log Location.
     2. Click the Browse button and navigate to the folder where you want to save images.
   • To log images to a file on an FTP server, complete the following steps:
     1. Select Log to FTP Server for the Log Location.
     2. Enter the IP Address of the FTP server where you want to log images.
     3. Enter the User Name and Password you want to use to log onto the FTP server.
     4. Click Test Login to verify that the login information you entered.
     5. Enter the Folder Path to the location where you want to same images.
5. Enter a File Name for the image, or select the result of a previous step from the drop-down list.

   Tip  You can use the File Name control to specify subdirectories. When using the File Name control to specify subdirectories, you must use a \ to separate directories when logging to a local drive, and a / to separate directories when logging to an FTP server.

6. If you do not want to add a timestamp to the specified File Name, disable the Append Timestamp control.
7. If you are logging to an FTP server, disable the Log as a Background Task checkbox if you do not what to perform image logging as a background task. By default, Vision Builder AI performs image logging as a background task to allow the inspection to continue while images are being logged. However, when logging images to an FTP server, certain applications may require that image logging occur inline with the rest of the inspection.
8. Specify the File Format Options you want to use to log images.

   Some file formats support compression. To log images with compression, use the Image Quality, Compress BMP File, Compression Ratio, and/or Use Lossless Compression controls to specify the compression options to use. Refer to Image Options for a complete list of the options available for each file format.

   Note  Images saved as PNG files always use lossless compression.

9. If you want to save any overlay information with the images, enable the Merge Overlay control.
10. Select whether you want to Log all Images from the selected step, or to Log Image Only When Inspection Status Fails.

    Tip  Logging images to file is time intensive and reduces the maximum rate at which you can run the inspection. Therefore, you may want to log only images that correspond to parts that fail inspection.

    Note  You must have a Set Inspection Status step before this step in your inspection to correctly Log Images Only When Inspection Status Fails.

9. Enable the Limit Number of Logged Images control and specify the Max Number of Logged Images to limit the number of images logged from the selected step. When the limit value is reached, the oldest image is replaced by the next logged image.
10. Click OK to add the step to the inspection.