Configure an Image File Camera

An image_file camera gets color and depth images frames from a file path. If you provide a depth image, as well as the intrinsic parameters of the camera that took that depth image, then the camera will also provide a point cloud.

On the COMPONENTS subtab, navigate to the Create Component menu. Enter a name for your camera, select the type camera, and select the image_file model.

Creation of an image file camera in the Viam app config builder.

Fill in the attributes for your image file camera:

Configuration of an image file camera in the Viam app config builder.
{
    "name": "<camera_name>",
    "type": "camera",
    "model" : "image_file",
    "attributes": {
        "intrinsic_parameters": {
            "width_px": <integer>,
            "height_px": <integer>,
            "fx": <float64>,
            "fy": <float64>,
            "ppx": <float64>,
            "ppy": <float64>
        },
        "distortion_parameters": {
            "rk1": <float64>,
            "rk2": <float64>,
            "rk3": <float64>,
            "tp1": <float64>,
            "tp2": <float64>
        },
        "debug": <boolean>,
        "color_image_file_path": <string>,
        "depth_image_file_path": <string>
    }
}

The following attributes are available for image file cameras:

NameInclusionDescription
intrinsic_parametersOptionalThe intrinsic parameters of the camera used to do 2D <-> 3D projections:
  • width_px: The expected width of the aligned image in pixels.
  • height_px: The expected height of the aligned image in pixels.
  • fx: The image center x point.
  • fy: The image center y point.
  • ppx: The image focal x.
  • ppy: The image focal y.
distortion_parametersOptionalModified Brown-Conrady parameters used to correct for distortions caused by the shape of the camera lens:
  • rk1: The radial distortion x.
  • rk2: The radial distortion y.
  • rk3: The radial distortion z.
  • tp1: The tangential distortion x.
  • tp2: The tangential distortion y.
debugOptionalEnables the debug outputs from the camera if true. Defaults to false.
color_image_file_pathOptionalThe file path to the color image.
depth_image_file_pathOptionalThe file path to the depth image.

You must specify color_image_file_path or depth_image_file_path.

View the camera stream

Once your camera is connected, go to the CONTROL tab, and click on the camera’s dropdown menu. Toggle “View Camera”. If everything is configured correctly, you will see the live video feed from your camera.

Example Camera view inside Viam app

Next Steps