In-Sight® Explorer 4.9.0 Release Notes

© Copyright 1999-2013 Cognex Corporation. All rights reserved.

Overview

This document describes Release 4.9.0 of In-Sight® Explorer, including the following topics:

• System Requirements
• New Features
• Changes & Fixes
• Known Issues

For updated release notes, documentation and more, visit the In-Sight Online Support Center.

System Requirements

PC Hardware Requirements

Minimum

• Intel® Pentium® 4 processor running at 2GHz (or equivalent)
• 1GB of available RAM
• 2GB of available hard-disk space
• Video card capable of displaying 1024 x 768 resolution at 24-bit color depth. The DPI Display setting must be set to 96 DPI.
• Network Interface Card (at least 100Mbps) for connecting to In-Sight vision systems

Recommended

• Intel® Core™ i7 processor running at 2.7GHz (or equivalent)
• 4GB of available RAM
• 2.5GB of available hard-disk space
• Video card capable of displaying 1920 x 1080 resolution at 32-bit color depth. The DPI Display setting must be set to 96 DPI.
• Gigabit Network Interface Card for connecting to In-Sight vision systems

Operating System Requirements

In-Sight Explorer has been tested on the following operating systems:

• Microsoft® Windows Server® 2003, Service Pack 2
• Microsoft Windows XP Professional, Service Pack 3
• Microsoft Windows 7 Professional, Service Pack 1 (32- and 64-bit)
• Microsoft Windows Server 2008, Service Pack 1 (32- and 64-bit)
• Microsoft Windows Server 2008 R2, Service Pack 1 (64-bit)

Although In-Sight Explorer may function on other operating systems, systems not meeting the preceding requirements are not supported.

Supported Languages

• English
• Japanese
• French
• German
• Spanish (European)
• Korean
• Chinese (Simplified)

Supported In-Sight Vision Systems

In this release, new firmware is available for the following systems:

• In-Sight 5000 Series Vision Systems
• In-Sight Micro Vision Systems
• In-Sight 7000 Series Vision Systems

Old Firmware Version Support

In-Sight vision systems with older firmware may work properly with In-Sight Explorer 4.9.0; however, firmware versions prior to 4.7.0 are not fully tested. For optimal performance, In-Sight Explorer software and firmware should be set to the same version.

Licensing

In-Sight Explorer 4.9.0 is distributed in two different packages: a full version and a trial version. The full version is completely functional and does not expire. The trial version runs for 30 days and then ceases to function. An Offline Programming Key is required for the full version to use In-Sight Explorer in emulator mode if no In-Sight vision systems are present on your network.

New Features

In-Sight Explorer Enhancements

This release of In-Sight Explorer provides new functionality for both the EasyBuilder and Spreadsheet development environments, while also providing new functionality shared by both, including the following:

• The In-Sight Explorer Graphical User Interface has been updated to a new control set that provides a new appearance and more customization options. The color scheme now matches Cognex colors, and the Application Steps, In-Sight Network, In-Sight File and Palette panes can now be customized by floating, docking, auto-hiding and/or hiding the panes.
• In-Sight firmware and In-Sight Explorer now support the authentication and authorization services of the Cognex Directory Server, which is used to manage Cognex devices and application software and their users, and provides authorization and authentication services for those devices, applications and users.

EasyBuilder® View

New Tools

• The Surface Flaw tool has been added to the Defect Detection Inspection Tools in the Inspect Part Application Step. The tool is used to detect flaws, such as scratches, stains or splotches, and the tool includes an internal mask to exclude labels and text while highlighting the feature to be inspected.
• The Scene Correction tool has been added to the Image Inspection Tools in the Inspect Part Application Step. The tool creates an image filter that helps to remove the effects of uneven lighting or shading.

Tool Enhancements

• The Read Text (OCRMax) Identification Inspection Tool now has the ability to place the straightened region output when a curved input region is used, and new EasyTags were created, one to support the Auto-Tune functionality from a VisionView, and a second to return the string length.

EasyBuilder View Enhancements

• The EasyBuilder Tool Permissions selection has been added to the Sensor menu, which allows access to the EasyBuilder Tool Permissions dialog for creating and managing custom EasyBuilder tool permissions for use with the Cognex Directory Server.
• The Cognex Directory Custom Privileges button has been added to the Save Job Application Step, which accesses the EasyBuilder Tool Permissions dialog.
• The Clip Mode drop-down menu has been added to the Edit Acquisition Settings group box on the Set Up Image Application Step; this option is only displayed when connected to an In-Sight 5604 vision system.

Spreadsheet View

New Functions

The following functions are only available when using the In-Sight Explorer Spreadsheet View.

• The OCRMaxAutoTune function (Vision Tools --> OCV/OCR) has been added, which provides external access to the OCRMax function's Auto-Tune dialog for use in Custom Views or EasyViews, allowing interaction with a VisionView Operator Interface Panel or other third party HMI panel.
• The SurfaceFlaw function (Vision Tools --> Flaw Detection) has been added. The function, without the use of a model, is used to detect local intensity variations, which may indicate a flaw, such as a scratch, nick or tear, on the object/part being inspected.
• The TransSurfaceFlawToWorld function (Coordinate Transforms Functions --> Calibrate) has been added. The function converts a SurfaceFlaw data structure from image coordinates to real-world coordinates.
• The Mask function (Structures) has been added. The function creates an irregularly shaped binary image mask, which is used to highlight certain areas of the image ("care pixels" which are assigned a value of 255), while also excluding other areas from being inspected ("don't care pixels" which are assigned a value of 0).
• The SceneCorrection function (Vision Tools --> Image) has been added. The function helps to correct images that contain uneven lighting or shading, to produce an output image that appears to contain uniform lighting.
• The GetRegion function (Vision Data Access --> Image) has been added, which returns a Region data structure based on a referenced Image function's Region parameter settings.
• The TransOCRMaxToWorld (Coordinate Transforms Functions --> Calibrate) has been added. The function converts an OCRMax data structure from image coordinates to real-world coordinates.
• The GetStringIDMax (Vision Data Access --> IDMax) has been added, which returns the string encoded in the symbol, based on the selected Translation Mode, which specifies how the function will process non-printable ASCII characters.

Function Enhancements

• The Authorize function has been modified to support the use of the Cognex Directory Server.
• The ScaleImage and ScaleColorImage functions (Vision Tools --> Image) have been modified and now include the Display Row and Display Col parameters, which allow the user to specify where the scaled output image will be displayed when using a partial acquisition.
• The SortPatterns function (Vision Tools --> Pattern Match) has been modified and now includes a new parameter, Sort Tolerance, which allows the user to specify the percentage of the trained pattern a prospective pattern must be in order to be included in a sort, when sorting by Grid X or Grid Y.
• The EditFocusPosition function (Focus Functions) has been modified and now includes the Run Autofocus on Job Load checkbox, which specifies whether or not to automatically focus the lens when the job is loaded.
• The OCRMax function (Vision Tools --> OCV/OCR) has been modified and now includes the Curved Region Position parameter, which specifies where the straightened Region will be positioned, when a Region is curved.

Spreadsheet View Enhancements

• The iQ Sensor Solution option has been added to the Network Settings dialog, which allows In-Sight vision systems to support the Mitsubishi iQ Sensor Solution, a factory protocol that enables Mitsubishi's GX Works2 software to control vision systems over the SLMP Scanner protocol. In this release, GX Works2 is able to discover vision systems on the network and configure the vision system's SLMP Scanner parameter settings via the iQ Sensor Solution, when connected to a Mitsubishi L-series Automation Controller.
• The Cognex Directory Custom Privileges selection has been added to the Sensor menu, which accesses the Cognex Directory Custom Privileges dialog for creating and managing custom privileges for use with the Cognex Directory Server.
• The User Access Settings selection has been added to the Sensor menu (replacing the User List option), which accesses the User Access Settings dialog (formerly the User List dialog) for setting the security mode, Classic User Mode or Cognex Directory Server Mode, of In-Sight vision systems and/or emulators.
• The Lock In-Sight Explorer selection has been added to the System menu, which accesses the Lock In-Sight Explorer dialog, for use with Cognex Directory Server Mode.
• The Change Password selection has been added to the System menu, which accesses the Change Password dialog, for use with Cognex Directory Server Mode.
• The Add to Cognex Directory Server selection has been added to the System menu, which accesses the Add to Cognex Directory Server dialog for adding one or more In-Sight vision systems and/or emulators to a Cognex Directory Server.
• The Open Cognex Directory Management Utility selection has been added to the System menu, which accesses the Cognex Directory Management Utility when configured for Cognex Directory Server Mode.
• The Options dialog Access Management pane has been updated to include options for configuring Cognex Directory Server related settings.
• The View Connections selection has been added to the Sensor menu, which access the Multiple View Connections dialog for configuring the number of VisionView applications allowed to be connected to an In-Sight vision system or emulator.

Changes & Fixes

• The default location for ToolBuilder-created EasyBuilder tools has been changed to C:\Program Files (x86)\Cognex\In-Sight\In-Sight Explorer 4.9.0\AddIns. Now, when creating EasyBuilder tools using ToolBuilder, the DLL for the tool must be placed in the In-Sight Explorer 4.9.0\AddIns directory. Copy and paste all of the previously created ToolBuilder DLL files into the AddIns directory. (CR# 26555)
• The GetTrained function has been updated and now supports the FindPatterns function in addition to the TrainPatMaxPattern function. (CR# 22762)
• The OCRMax function reference chain with the Font parameter and the Auto-Tune operation have been corrected, such that if an OCRMax function is constructed with the Font parameter set as a reference to another OCRMax function, and an Auto-Tune operation is performed on the original OCRMax function, the referenced OCRMax function’s Font will now be updated correctly. (CR# 24419)
• The InspectEdge functions, InspectEdge, InspectEdgeForDefect, InspectEdgePosition, InspectEdgeTrainBeadPath and InspectEdgeWidth, have been modified and several of their default parameter settings and ranges have been updated. Please consult the In-Sight Explorer Help file for the updated ranges and values. (CR# 25447)
• The Simple Color Scheme checkbox in the Options dialog User Interface pane has been removed. Previously, the checkbox was necessary to help reduce the appearance of flickering, which was fixed with the new GUI.
• The ExtractColor and TrainExtractColor functions have been modified and now return more accurate results. Previously, erroneous additional color pixels were being included in calculations when the R, G and/or B color component was at or near 0. Cognex recommends re-qualifying results for applications in this type of scenario. (CR# 27544)
• The FlexFlawModel function has been modified and now returns more accurate results, while reporting fewer false defects (although these improvements may result in the function performing slower than in previous releases). Cognex recommends re-qualifying applications that utilize this function, as the performance change will be application dependent.
• The Audit Server Message process has been corrected and no longer returns an invalid user name when In-Sight Explorer connects to an In-Sight vision system. This issue was present in In-Sight Explorer software versions 4.8.0, 4.8.1 and 4.8.4. (CR# 28001)

Please see past In-Sight Explorer Release Notes for changes and fixes in previous releases.

Known Issues

Uninstalling In-Sight Explorer 4.x.x results in unhandled exception errors for other installed versions of In-Sight Explorer 4.x.x

Issue: If there are multiple versions of In-Sight Explorer 4.x.x (e.g. 4.1.0, 4.1.1, 4.2.0, 4.3.0) installed on a PC and a version of In-Sight Explorer 4.x.x is un-installed, other versions of In-Sight Explorer 4.x.x may generate an unhandled exception error after opening. (CR# 61127)

Workaround: From the Windows Control Panel, run a repair on the version of In-Sight Explorer 4.x.x that is generating the error. To correct this issue, follow these steps:

For Windows XP:

1. Open the Windows Control Panel and select Add/Remove Programs.
2. From the list, select the version of In-Sight Explorer 4.x.x that is generating the error.
3. Below the Cognex In-Sight Explorer 4.x.x label, click on the link: "Click here for support information." This launches the Support Info dialog.
4. Press the Repair button in the Support Info dialog.

For Windows Vista:

1. Open the Windows Control Panel and select Programs and Features.
2. From the list, right-click on the version of In-Sight Explorer 4.x.x that is generating the error.
3. From the right-click menu, select Repair.

PatMax Patterns and Patterns Location and Inspection Tools may not properly display bent Model Regions

Issue: If a PatMax Patterns or Patterns Location or Inspection Tool is added to a job, and the Model Region is bent into a large annular shape, the thumbnail image of the Model may not appear in the Trained Image tab of the tool. (CR# 19987)

Workaround: Although the Model is not displayed as a thumbnail, the Model is still a valid, usable Model. If you need to display the Model as a thumbnail, attempt to utilize a smaller Model Region, or decrease the size of the inner radius of the annulus.

ReadIDMax Exceeding Timeout Value

Issue: At times, the ReadIDMax function may exceed the specified Timeout parameter value by varying percentages. (CR# 15993)

Workaround: Adjust the Timeout parameter value lower to compensate for the overage.

In-Sight 7000 Series Vision Systems and Serial Line Support

Issue: If the In-Sight 7000 series vision system is configured for use with the CIO-MICRO or CIO-MICRO-CC I/O module, the RS-232 TRANSMIT and RS-232 RECEIVE pins on the Power and I/O Breakout cable are disabled. If the vision system is then re-configured to use the RS-232 TRANSMIT and RS-232 RECEIVE pins on the Power and I/O Breakout cable, serial communication is still disabled. (CR# 21218)

Workaround: After switching back to the RS-232 TRANSMIT and RS-232 RECEIVE pins on the Power and I/O Breakout cable from the CIO-MICRO or CIO-MICRO-CC I/O module, power cycle the vision system to re-enable the pins on the Power and I/O Breakout cable.

POWERLINK, In-Sight Explorer and Firmware Upgrades

Issue: If In-Sight Explorer is connecting to the POWERLINK network through a POWERLINK TCP/IP gateway X20 CPU module, attempting to upgrade the firmware of In-Sight vision systems that are on the POWERLINK network will not execute successfully and may require the vision systems to be power cycled (there may be additional TCP connection issues, as well). (CR# 21230)

Workaround: Connect In-Sight Explorer to the POWERLINK network through a POWERLINK TCP/IP gateway HB 8815 module. If In-Sight Explorer is connected to the POWERLINK network through a X20 CPU module, Cognex recommends that before performing firmware upgrades, the In-Sight vision systems are removed from the POWERLINK network and POWERLINK is disabled.

Changes to a POWERLINK PLC While an In-Sight Vision System is Connected to In-Sight Explorer

Issue: If an In-Sight vision system is on a POWERLINK network and connected to In-Sight Explorer, attempting to download a change to the PLC, or performing a software reboot of the PLC, may cause the vision system to no longer be able to connect to In-Sight Explorer. (CR# 21242)

Workaround: Disconnect the vision system from In-Sight Explorer before performing any changes or rebooting the PLC. Power cycle the vision system if this situation has been encountered to restore the connection to In-Sight Explorer.

POWERLINK and In-Sight Vision System Configuration Limitations

Issue: The following list describes known limitations of the operation of In-Sight vision systems on POWERLINK networks. (CR# 21234)

The following known limitations apply:

• If the MTU value for Asynchronous Packet transfers is not set to the same MTU value being used by the POWERLINK network, TCP/IP communications will not function correctly.
• If a POWERLINK enabled vision system is taken off the POWERLINK network and placed on a standard Ethernet network, Ethernet communications may lock up and bandwidth may be limited to 1Mbps. To edit a job, disable POWERLINK communications while on the standard Ethernet network.

POWERLINK Support and In-Sight 7000 Color Vision Systems

Issue: POWERLINK is not supported on the following In-Sight 7000 series color vision systems: In-Sight 7010C, In-Sight 7200C, In-Sight 7400C and In-Sight 7402C. (CR# 24004)

Same User Name on Different Cognex Directory Servers

Issue: In-Sight Explorer is unable to differentiate users with the same User Name on more than one Cognex Directory Servers. For example, if there is a user named "John Doe" on Cognex Directory Server "1" and another on Cognex Directory Server "2," and John Doe is denied access to Cognex Directory Server "1," John Doe will also now be unable to access Cognex Directory Server "2," even though the user has permission on that server. (CR# 26355)

Workaround: If multiple Cognex Directory Servers will be utilized, ensure that all of the users have a unique User Name.

Floating Window Position is Not Saved After Selecting Save Layout

Issue: If the In-Sight Explorer interface is modified by dragging windows (such as the In-Sight Network Tree or In-Sight Files pane) to a new location so that they are no longer anchored to the In-Sight Explorer graphical user interface, after pressing the Save Layout button, the location of the floating windows will not be saved and restored even though Save Layout was invoked. (CR# 26843)

Workaround: Drag the windows back to their desired location upon restarting In-Sight Explorer.

In-Sight Explorer Toolbars Cannot Float

Issue: The EasyBuilder View and Spreadsheet View toolbars cannot be customized by floating, i.e. they are no longer anchored to the In-Sight Explorer graphical user interface. (CR# 26231)

Workaround: Drag the toolbar to their desired location upon restarting In-Sight Explorer.

Multiple View Connections and VisionView 700

Issue: In order to utilize the new Multiple View Connections feature on the VisionView application, it must be upgraded to version 1.6.3. However, the VisionView 700 Operator Interface Panel does not support VisionView 1.6.3. (CR# 26698)

Multiple View Connections and Job Execution Time

Issue: If the Multiple View Connections feature is configured to allow two or more connections, for applications that require exact timing or are running near the maximum allowable memory usage, this setting may increase the overall job inspection time, as well as require additional memory. (CR# 25869)

Workaround: If the Multiple View Connections feature is found to negatively impact job and/or memory performance of the application, set the Multiple View Connections setting to 1 to disable the feature.

iQ Sensor Solution and Setting Parameters While Online

Issue: While connected to a Mitsubishi iQ Sensor Solution and an In-Sight vision system, if an attempt is made to change parameter settings (such as Set Parameter or Set IP) while the vision system is Online, a failure code (C05C) is not properly issued. (CR# 26990)

Workaround: Do not attempt to change parameter settings of the vision system while it is Online. If attempting to change settings while Online, a C05C code, which indicates that write processing has been aborted, should be issued.

iQ Sensor Solution and Moving Between English and Japanese Versions of Mitsubishi GXWorks2

Issue: If a PLC project created in the English version of GXWorks2 is downloaded to the PLC, and then uploaded to a Japanese version of GXWorks2, In-Sight 5000 and In-Sight 7000 series vision systems will be missing their icons and descriptive information. This issue also occurs if the process is reversed, i.e. the PLC project is created in the Japanese version of GXWorks2 and then uploaded to an English version of GXWorks2. (CR# 27377)

Workaround: Keep PLC projects within the same language of GXWorks2.

iQ Sensor Solution and Undoing Changes While in EasyBuilder View Communications Application Step

Issue: While editing the SLMP Scanner protocol in the EasyBuilder View Communications Application Step, if changes are made in the Format Output Data and/or Format Input Data tabs, and the user leaves the Communications Application Step and then selects Undo Communications Changes from the Edit menu, the slmpoutaddressmap file will be corrupted. (CR# 27483)

Workaround: Do not use the Undo Communications Changes option from the Edit menu; manually edit the necessary changes instead.

Connecting to a Cognex Directory Server Mode In-Sight Vision System and DNS Server Issues

Issue: When configuring an In-Sight vision system for Cognex Directory Server Mode, if the configured vision system can no longer reach the DNS server which was used to detect the vision system, In-Sight Explorer will not be able to connect to the vision system. This scenario could be encountered if a Cognex Directory Server is installed on a PC laptop, and was then used to configure the vision system for Cognex Directory Server Mode, using the server's DNS name while on a network with a DNS server. If the laptop was then taken to another location that did not have access to the DNS server, In-Sight Explorer and the emulator will be able to properly connect, but the vision system will be unavailable. This scenario may also be encountered if the static network settings on the vision system prevent it from reaching the DNS server. (CR# 27410)

Workaround: Ensure that all In-Sight vision systems configured for Cognex Directory Server Mode can reach the DNS server on which they were configured.

Cognex Directory Server Mode Supported User Names or Passwords

Issue: While in Cognex Directory Server Mode, In-Sight vision systems only support ASCII and/or Japanese character user names and passwords, with a maximum of 15 characters in ASCII, and 7 characters in Japanese. However, the Cognex Directory Server and In-Sight Explorer software program support user credentials (user names and passwords) using English, French, German, Japanese, Korean, Simplified Chinese and Spanish characters, with a maximum of 30 characters in each language. If user credentials are created in the Cognex Server Management Utility with French, German, Simplified Chinese or Spanish characters, or ASCII credentials that are longer than 15 characters, or Japanese credentials that are longer than 7 characters, the user will be unable to log on to a Cognex Directory Server Mode vision system. (CR#s 28069 and 28079)

Workaround: Only create user credentials using ASCII or Japanese characters, no longer than 15 characters for ASCII and no longer than 7 characters for Japanese. If user credentials using other characters beside English or Japanese is necessary, please contact your Cognex sales representative.

FindPatMaxPatterns Returns Different Results

Issue: In high-precision applications, differences of less than a pixel may be reported if a FindPatMaxPatterns function is constructed to find the patterns returned by a TrainPatMaxPattern function, and the two functions use different external regions for their search and training, respectively. However, if either of the two functions reference an external region that is angled and/or curved, the pixel differences may be much larger. (CR# 27205)

Workaround: When constructing the job, ensure that the FindPatMaxPatterns and TrainPatMaxPattern function reference the same external region for both searching and training, or use the internal regions of both functions for the searching and training.

First Image Is Not Being Recorded at the Specified Resolution

Issue: In applications with large job file sizes or long execution times, if In-Sight Explorer is set to a different image display resolution than that specified in the Record tab of the Record/Playback dialog, the first image that is recorded after the In-Sight vision system is put Online will be recorded at the wrong resolution. (CR# 27752)

Workaround: For these types of applications, set the Resolution setting in the Displayed Image Settings dialog to the same value as that specified in the Record/Playback dialog's Resolution setting.

Using the In-Sight Explorer Help File on a PC with Microsoft Internet Explorer 9.0

Issue: With Internet Explorer version 9.0 installed on the host PC, after opening and viewing several topics in the In-Sight Explorer Help file, the In-Sight Explorer application may become unresponsive once the Help file is closed. (CR# 27559)

Workaround: Upgrade Internet Explorer version 9.0 to version 10.0. If upgrading is not an option, in Internet Explorer version 9.0, enable the compatibility mode: Go to the Tools menu, select Compatibility View Settings and enable the "Display all websites in Compatibility View" checkbox.

In-Sight Explorer Operating for Several Days with Multiple Views Draws Toolbars Incorrectly

Issue: If the In-Sight Explorer application is left running for several days with multiple Spreadsheet View connections open, the Spreadsheet View toolbars may be drawn in the wrong location, regardless of user interaction (i.e. turning the toolbars on or off, or attempting to move them to the correct location). The toolbars and menus still function, but they cannot be repositioned. (CR# 28114)

Workaround: To re-enable repositioning the toolbars, close and restart the In-Sight Explorer application (it may be necessary to use the Windows Task Manager to force the application to exit).

Image Is Not Output with Result Graphics by SurfaceFlaw Function

Issue: If a SurfaceFlaw function is configured with an angled or curved region, and the Straighten Images parameter is enabled and the Show parameter is set to the "input and results graphics" option, the only output that will be displayed will be the red overlay graphics. (CR# 28320)

Workaround: In this type of application scenario, set the Show parameter to the "results graphics" option to view the straightened image and graphics.