National Instruments has been a leader in machine vision and image processing for nearly a decade and currently supports thousands of different cameras. To acquire, display, save, and monitor images from cameras, use NI Vision Acquisition software, which is included with all NI frame grabbers and sold separately for IEEE 1394 and gigabit Ethernet image acquisition.
To process images, NI vision software comes in two different packages: the Vision Development Module and NI Vision Builder for Automated Inspection (AI). The Vision Development Module is a collection of hundreds of vision functions for programmers using NI LabVIEW, NI LabWindows™/CVI, C/C++, or Visual Basic. Vision Builder AI is an interactive software environment for configuring, benchmarking, and deploying machine vision applications without programming. Both software packages work with all NI vision frame grabbers and the NI Compact Vision System.
| Image Acquisition | ||
| NI Vision Acquisition Software | ![]() |
A driver software package for acquiring, displaying, logging, and monitoring images from thousands of cameras. Included with all NI vision hardware and software products. Also sold separately for systems where IEEE 1394, gigabit Ethernet (GigE Vision), or USB devices are used to acquire images without image processing software or vision hardware from NI. Evaluate Vision Acquisition Software
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| Image Processing | ||
| Vision Development Module | ![]() |
Machine vision application development software for LabVIEW, C/C++, Visual Basic, and .NET. Includes hundreds of image processing and machine vision functions. Comes with Vision Assistant, a menu-driven, prototyping software and code generator for LabVIEW, C/C++, and Visual Basic. Also includes Vision Acquisition software with support for thousands of cameras, including IEEE 1394 and gigabit Ethernet cameras. Evaluate Vision Development Module
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| Vision Builder AI | ![]() |
Stand-alone machine vision software. Entirely menu-driven to quickly configure, benchmark, and deploy powerful inspections. Built-in decision making for communication with other hardware devices, such as relays or lighting. Also includes Vision Acquisition software with support for thousands of cameras, including IEEE 1394 and gigabit Ethernet cameras.
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NI Vision Software Comparison
Below is a list of tools that come with each software package. To learn how each vision algorithm works and the best way to use it, download the NI Vision Concepts Manual.
| NI Vision Acquisition Software |
Vision Builder AI |
Vision Development Module |
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| Software to Acquire, Save, Display, and Monitor Images | Stand-Alone Configuration Software | Programming Libraries for LabVIEW, C/C++, and Visual Basic |
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| Image Acquisition | |||
| One-shot acquisition | • | • | • |
| Continuous acquisition | • | • | • |
| Triggered acquisition | • | • | • |
| Camera configuration | • | • | • |
| Trigger output | • | • | • |
| Full frame-rate display | • | • | • |
| Save images to disk | • | • | • |
| Write AVI | • | • | • |
| Nondestructive overlay | • | • | • |
| Image Processing | |||
| Image manipulation tools | • | • | |
| Pixel manipulation tools | • | • | |
| Image filters | • | • | |
| Image arithmetic | • | • | |
| Image logic functions | • | • | |
| Morphology | • | • | |
| Image segmentation | • | • | |
| Machine Vision | |||
| Subpixel accuracy | • | • | |
| Coordinate systems | • | • | |
| Distortion calibration | • | • | |
| Real-world measurements | • | • | |
| Complex and Fourier analysis | • | ||
| Particle analysis | • | • | |
| Edge detection | • | • | |
| Shape detection | • | ||
| Gauging | • | • | |
| Pattern matching | • | • | |
| Geometric matching | • | • | |
| Color matching | • | • | |
| Color pattern matching | • | • | |
| Golden template comparison | • | • | |
| Object classification | • | • | |
| 1D barcode readers | • | • | |
| Data matrix reader | • | • | |
| Data matrix grading | • | • | |
| PDF 417 reader | • | • | |
| Optical character recognition | • | • | |
| Optical character verification | • | ||
| Instrument reader | • | ||
| Vision Utilities | |||
| LabVIEW Real-Time-compatible | • | • | • |
| Performance benchmarking | • | • | |
| LabVIEW VI generation * | • | • | |
| C code generation | • | ||
| Visual Basic code generation | • | ||
| Deterministic algorithms | • | ||
| Customizable user interface | • | • | |
| Motion control integration | • | ||
| Data acquisition integration | • | • |
* The NI Vision Development Module is required to generate LabVIEW VIs from Vision Builder AI.
- Learn more about Vision Builder AI
- Learn more about the NI Vision Development Module
- Explore software to acquire, save, and display Images - NI Vision Acquisition
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