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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 Note​

Must-Read
  • Some settings in the configuration file will only take effect when the system starts for the first time after flashing.
  • Due to the complexity of the configuration process, it is strongly recommended to connect to the machine via the network and configure it through a browser.
  • This tutorial only covers modifiable options.
Attention
  • Try to use mainsail or fluidd web pages for configuration changes.
  • Please do not enable webpage translation, otherwise the system may fail to start after saving.
  • It is best not to input Chinese characters or special characters in the configuration file.
  • After modifying the configuration file, the system needs to be restarted for the changes to take effect.
Danger
  • Do not modify any 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 on first startup must be modified after flashing by opening the configuration file config.txt on the removable disk FlyOS-Conf using a professional text editor.

System Supports Online Configuration Modification​

  • For regular configuration items, you can modify them on the system's web configuration page and then restart the system for the changes to take effect.

    • Enter the device's IP address in the browser, e.g.: 192.168.1.2/
    • In fluidd, as shown on the left below: Uncheck -> Filter hidden files and folders.
    • In mainsail, as shown on the right below: Check -> Show hidden files.
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    • At this point, you can see the .flyos-config folder; entering this folder will reveal the sys-config.conf file.
    • The sys-config.conf file is a symbolic link to the configuration file config.txt on the removable disk FlyOS-Conf.
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    • Open the sys-config.conf file, modify the desired 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 saving the modifications, restart the system for the changes to take effect.

Enable Crowsnest Service​

  • Search for crowsnest=0 in the configuration and change it to crowsnest=1
  • Save the configuration after modification and restart the system
  • Please note that after modifying the configuration file, the system needs to be restarted for the changes to take effect.
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Open Configuration​

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

  • Find the configuration file in Fluidd, then open crowsnest.conf

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  • Locate device: and delete the ID configuration that follows.

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Search for Camera ID​

Tip
  • Ensure the camera is connected to the host computer
  • Click DEVICES at the top, then click VIDEO, and finally click Refresh
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  • Find path_by_id and copy the line that follows
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Add ID​

  • Add the ID and save the configuration
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Enable Camera​

  • Click Settings, select Camera, then click Add Camera
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  • Enter a name of your choice and click Save
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Check if Enabled​

  • The camera feed should appear on the dashboard
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  • If it does not display, restart the system again
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