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Camera Connection and Usage

Configuration Sequence Reminder

Please strictly follow the sequence below; otherwise, the camera may not be recognized:

  1. Enable the Service First: Ensure the crowsnest service is started and running normally.
  2. Configure the Camera Afterwards: Proceed with specific camera parameter settings only after the service is running properly.

If Misoperation Occurs: If you configured the camera first but the crowsnest service was not enabled, you typically need to delete the camera configuration in the Web interface and then re-add it to ensure the settings take effect.

Note: This refers to deleting the camera configuration entry in the Web interface, not deleting the crowsnest.cfg configuration file.

Connection and Configuration Notes
  • Connection Method: Please connect the camera directly to a USB port on the host computer, not to other non-USB ports on the host.
  • Camera Requirements: Please use a driver-free, plug-and-play USB camera. Such cameras can typically be used directly in Klipper environments on systems like Linux, Armbian, etc., without requiring additional driver installation.
  • Software Environment: This tutorial is based on the latest versions of Klipper, Crowsnest, and Fluidd. If you are using Mainsail or another frontend, the configuration principles are similar; please refer to their official documentation for specific operations.

Important Notes​

Must Read
  • The partial settings in the configuration file will only take effect during the first system startup after flashing.
  • Due to the complexity of the configuration process, it is strongly recommended to connect to the machine via network and configure through a browser.
  • This tutorial only provides modifiable options.
Note
  • It is recommended to use the mainsail or fluidd web interfaces for configuration modifications.
  • Please do not enable webpage translation, as saving after translation may prevent the system from starting.
  • It is best not to input Chinese characters or special symbols in the configuration file.
  • After modifying the configuration file, a system restart is required for the changes to take effect.
Danger
  • Do not modify the content below ######### PLEASE DO NOT EDIT THE FOLLOWING ######### in the configuration file.

How to Modify the Configuration File​

Modifying the Configuration File After Flashing​

  • Configuration items that only take effect during the first startup must be modified by opening the configuration file config.txt in the removable disk FlyOS-Conf using a professional text editor after flashing is completed.

Online Configuration Modification After System Startup​

  • For general configuration items, modifications can be made through the system's web configuration page, followed by a system restart to take effect.

    • Open the device's IP address in a browser, for example: 192.168.1.2/.
    • In fluidd, as shown in the left image below, uncheck -> Filter hidden files and folders.
    • In mainsail, as shown in the right image below, check -> Show hidden files.
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    • At this point, you will see the .flyos-config folder. Enter this folder to find the sys-config.conf file.
    • The sys-config.conf file is a soft link to the configuration file config.txt in the removable disk FlyOS-Conf.
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    • Open the sys-config.conf file, modify the required configuration items, then save -> close, and restart the system.
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    • Note: The format of configuration items in the sys-config.conf file is key=value. Do not change it to key: value.
    • After making modifications and saving, restart the system for the changes to take effect.

Enable the Crowsnest Service​

  • In the configuration, search for crowsnest=0 and change it to crowsnest=1
  • After making the changes, save the configuration and restart the system
  • Please note that after modifying the configuration file, a system restart is required for the changes to take effect.
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Open the Configuration​

Tip
  • There are many types of camera IDs depending on the system; we only need to determine the ID that will not change.

  • In Fluidd, find the configuration file and open crowsnest.conf

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  • Find device: and delete the ID configured after it

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Search for the Camera ID​

Tip
  • Ensure that the camera is connected to the host machine.
  • Click on DEVICES at the top, then click VIDEO, and finally click refresh
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  • Find path_by_id and copy the line following it
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Add the ID​

  • Add the ID and save the configuration
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Enable the Camera​

  • Click on Settings, select Camera, and then click Add Camera
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  • Enter a name you prefer and click Save
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Check if Enabled​

  • Click on the Dashboard; the camera feed should appear normally
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  • If it does not display, restart the system again.
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