Test Patterns#

The Test Patterns camera feature allows you to check the camera's basic functionality and its ability to transmit images.

Test patterns can be used for maintenance purposes and failure diagnostics. They are generated by the camera itself, i.e., the optics and the image sensor of the camera are not involved in their creation.

Using the Feature#

Displaying Test Patterns#

To display a test pattern:

1. Select a test pattern by setting the TestPattern parameter to one of the following values (if available):
   • Black
   • White
   • Testimage1
   • Testimage2
   • Testimage3
   • Testimage6
2. Acquire at least one image to display the selected test pattern. If you want to display the test pattern in the pylon Viewer, click the single or continuous shot button on the toolbar.

Available Test Patterns#

Depending on your camera model, the following test images are available:

Black#

Completely black test pattern.

White#

Completely white test pattern.

Test Image 1#

• Consists of fixed diagonal gray gradients ranging from 0 to 255.
• Is best suited for when the camera is configured for monochrome 8-bit output.

Test Image 2#

• See Test Image 1.
• Difference: Consists of moving diagonal gray gradients ranging from 0 to 255. When a new image acquisition is triggered, the image moves left one pixel.

Test Image 3#

• Consists of moving diagonal gray gradients ranging from 0 to 4095. When a new image acquisition is triggered, the image moves left one pixel.
• Is best suited for when the camera is configured for monochrome 12-bit output.

Test Image 6#

• Available on color cameras only.
• Consists of moving diagonal color gradients.

Specifics#

Show all camera models

Sample Code#

// Select test image 1
camera.TestPattern.SetValue(TestImageSelector_Testimage1);
// Acquire images to display the selected test image
// ...
// (Insert your own image grabbing routine here.
// For example, the InstantCamera class provides the StartGrabbing method.)

INodeMap& nodemap = camera.GetNodeMap();
// Select test image 1
CEnumParameter(nodemap, "TestPattern").SetValue("Testimage1");
// Acquire images to display the selected test image
// ...
// (Insert your own image grabbing routine here.
// For example, the InstantCamera class provides the StartGrabbing method.)

// Select test image 1
camera.Parameters[PLCamera.TestPattern].SetValue(PLCamera.TestImageSelector.Testimage1);
// Acquire images to display the selected test image
// ...
// (Insert your own image grabbing routine here.
// For example, the InstantCamera class provides the StartGrabbing method.)

/* Macro to check for errors */
#define CHECK(errc) if (GENAPI_E_OK != errc) printErrorAndExit(errc)
GENAPIC_RESULT errRes = GENAPI_E_OK;  /* Return value of pylon methods */
/* Select test image 1 */
errRes = PylonDeviceFeatureFromString(hdev, "TestPattern", "Testimage1");
CHECK(errRes);
/* Acquire images to display the selected test image */
/* ... */
/* (Insert your own image grabbing routine here. */
/* For example, the InstantCamera class provides the StartGrabbing method.) */

# Select test image 1
camera.TestPattern.Value = "Testimage1"
# Acquire images to display the selected test image
# ...
# (Insert your own image grabbing routine here.
# For example, the InstantCamera class provides the StartGrabbing method.)

You can also use the pylon Viewer to easily set the parameters.