User`s guide

Data Import and Export
3-17
Data Import and Export
Webcam support for previewing and acquiring live images and video
Webcam Support (2 min, 54 sec)
You can use the MATLAB Webcam support to bring live images from any USB Video
Class (UVC) Webcam into MATLAB. This includes Webcams that might be built into
laptops or other devices, as well as Webcams that plug into your computer via a USB
port.
With simple MATLAB functions you can detect your connected Webcams, acquire
single snapshots from a Webcam, and optionally set up a loop of acquired images. The
webcamlist function allows you to detect the connected Webcams. The webcam function
creates the Webcam object that is used to acquire images. And the snapshot function
returns a single image from the camera. You can also preview your image and set
properties for the image.
The Webcam support is available only through the Hardware Support Packages. You
must download and install the necessary files using the Support Package Installer. To
open the Support Package Installer, type supportPackageInstaller in MATLAB.
Then on the Select support package to install screen, select the USB Webcams from
the list. For more information on installing this support package, see Installing the
Webcam Support Package.
The MATLAB Webcam support can be used on the following platforms:
• Microsoft Windows 32-bit and 64-bit
• Mac OS X 64-bit
• Linux
For more information about using the Webcam feature, see
• Connecting to Webcams — how to use the webcamlist function to detect your
cameras
• Acquiring Images from Webcams — how to acquire live images from your camera into
MATLAB
• Setting Properties for Webcam Acquisition — how to set object- or device-specific
properties for the acquisition