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Camera Connection and Usage

Configuration Order Reminder

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

  1. Enable the Service First: Ensure the crowsnest service is started and running normally.
  2. Then Configure the Camera: After the service is running normally, proceed with the specific parameter settings for the camera.

If You Have Made a Mistake: If you configured the camera first but the crowsnest service is not enabled, you will typically need to delete the camera configuration in the Web interface and then re-add it to ensure the configuration takes 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 the host's USB port, not to other non-USB interfaces on the host.
  • Camera Requirements: Please use a driver-free, plug-and-play USB camera. Such cameras can typically be used directly in the Klipper environment of FlyOS-Fast 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​

Required Reading
  • Certain settings in the configuration file only take effect on the first system startup after flashing.
  • Due to the complexity of the configuration process, it is strongly recommended to connect the machine to the network first and then configure it through a browser.
  • This tutorial only covers the modifiable options.
Caution
  • It is recommended to use mainsail or fluidd web interfaces for configuration changes.
  • Do not enable webpage translation; otherwise, the system may fail to boot after saving.
  • It is best to avoid entering 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 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 on first startup must be modified by opening the configuration file config.txt in the removable disk FlyOS-Conf with a professional text editor after flashing is complete.

Online Configuration Modification is Now Supported​

  • For regular configuration items, simply modify them on the system web configuration page and restart the system for them to take effect.

    • Open the device IP address in a browser, e.g., 192.168.1.2/
    • In fluidd, uncheck -> Filter hidden files and folders as shown on the left in the image below.
    • In mainsail, check -> Show hidden files as shown on the right in the image below.
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    • At this point, you can see the .flyos-config folder. Enter this folder and you will find 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, 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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