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Camera Connection and Usage

Configuration Sequence Reminder

Please be sure to operate in the following order; otherwise, the camera may not be recognized:

  1. Enable the service first: Ensure crowsnest is turned on.
  2. Configure the camera afterwards: Wait until the service is running normally before proceeding with specific camera parameter configuration.

If the order is incorrect: If you have already configured the camera but the crowsnest service is not enabled, you usually need to delete the existing configuration and add it again to ensure the configuration takes effect.

Connection and Configuration Notes
  • Connection method: Connect the camera externally via a USB-A port, and it will be recognized and configured by the host machine.
  • Camera requirements: Please use a driver-free, plug-and-play USB camera. Such cameras can be used directly in Klipper on Linux, Armbian, and other 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 other tools, the configuration principles are similar. Please refer to their official documentation for specific steps.

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.
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    • You will now see the .flyos-config folder. Inside this folder there is a file named sys-config.conf.
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    • The sys-config.conf file is a symbolic link to the config.txt configuration file located in the FlyOS-Conf removable disk.
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    • 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 the Crowsnest Service​

  • In the configuration, search for crowsnest=0 and change it to crowsnest=1
  • After making the change, save the configuration and restart the system
  • Please note that after modifying the configuration file, a system restart is required 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 determine the ID that will not change.

  • In Fluidd, find the configuration file, then open crowsnest.conf

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  • Find device: and delete the ID configuration after it.

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Search for Camera ID​

tip
  • Please ensure the camera is already connected to the host machine.
  • Click on DEVICES above, then click VIDEO, and finally click refresh.
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  • Find path_by_id and copy the line after it.
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Add ID​

  • Add the ID and save the configuration.
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Enable Camera​

  • Click on Settings, select Camera, then click Add Camera.
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  • Enter a name you like and click Save.
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Check if Enabled​

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