Skip to main content

Camera Connection and Usage

Configuration Sequence Reminder

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

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

If Misoperation Occurs: If you configured the camera before the crowsnest service was 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 plug the camera directly into the USB port of the host computer, not into other non-USB ports on the host.
  • Camera Requirement: Please use a driver-free, plug-and-play USB camera. Such cameras can typically be used directly in Klipper environments on Linux, Armbian, and similar systems 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
  • Settings in the configuration file will only take effect the first time the system starts after flashing.
  • As the configuration process is relatively complicated, it is highly recommended to connect to the device via network and then configure through a browser.
  • This tutorial only provides modifiable options.
Note
  • It is recommended to use either mainsail or fluidd web interfaces for configuration changes.
  • Please do not enable browser translation, as the system may fail to start after saving.
  • It is better not to enter Chinese or special characters in the configuration file.
  • Changes to the configuration file will take effect only after restarting the system.
dangerous
  • 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 options that only take effect on the first boot must be modified by using a professional text editor to open the config.txt configuration file located in the FlyOS-Conf removable disk immediately after flashing.

Online Configuration Modification After System Startup​

  • For general configuration options, you can modify them via the web configuration interface of the system and the changes will take effect after restarting the system.

    • Open the device's IP address in your browser, for example: 192.168.1.2/
    • In fluidd, uncheck the option as shown in the left image below -> Hide hidden files and folders.
    • In mainsail, check the option as shown in the right image below -> Show hidden files.
    Loading...
    Loading...
    • You will now see the .flyos-config folder. Inside this folder there is a file named sys-config.conf.
    Loading...
    • The sys-config.conf file is a symbolic link to the config.txt configuration file located in the FlyOS-Conf removable disk.
    Loading...

    • Open the sys-config.conf file, modify the required configuration items, then Save -> Close and restart the system.

    • Note: The format of configuration items in the sys-config.conf file is key=value. Do not change it to key: value.

    • After saving modifications, restart the system for the changes to take effect.

Enable Crowsnest Service​

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

Open 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, then open crowsnest.conf

    Loading...

  • Find device: and delete the ID configuration after it

    Loading...

Search for Camera ID​

tip
  • Please ensure the camera is connected to the host computer.
  • Click on DEVICES above, then click VIDEO, and finally click refresh
    Loading...
  • Locate path_by_id and copy the line following it
    Loading...

Add ID​

  • Add the ID and save the configuration
    Loading...

Enable Camera​

  • Click on Settings, select Camera, then click Add Camera
    Loading...
  • Enter a preferred name and click Save
    Loading...

Check if Enabled​

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