Python API

Overview

The python API can be used:

• directly in the system console, using a general python interpret
• in the Pixet program integrated python console

The base is pypixet object. It has methods for initialize and deinitialize, can create the pixet object.
The pixet object have device list, can create device objects and allows access to global properties.
A device objects have methods for acquisions and allows access to device parameters.
The pypxproc object is intended for use to processing of a data.
The pygui object allows you to create your own graphical interface. It can be used only if a script is run from the Pixet program.

Small code example for using in the system console or other third-party environment, with the Python 3.9:

import pypixet

print("pixet core init...")
pypixet.start()
pixet=pypixet.pixet
devices = pixet.devicesByType(pixet.PX_DEVTYPE_TPX3)
dev = devices[0]
dev.setOperationMode(pixet.PX_TPX3_OPM_EVENT_ITOT)

print("dev.doSimpleAcquisition (3 frames @ 1 sec) - start")
rc = dev.doSimpleAcquisition(3, 1, pixet.PX_FTYPE_AUTODETECT, "example.png")
print("dev.doSimpleAcquisition - end:", rc, "(0 is OK)")

pixet.exitPixet()  # save settings, correct stop devices and core exit
pypixet.exit()     # both lines important if third-party debug environment used

Small code example for using in the Pixet python console with integrated Python:

# do not create the pypixet and pixet, they exist by default

devices = pixet.devicesByType(pixet.PX_DEVTYPE_TPX3)
dev = devices[0]
dev.setOperationMode(pixet.PX_TPX3_OPM_EVENT_ITOT)

print("dev.doSimpleAcquisition (3 frames @ 1 sec) - start")
rc = dev.doSimpleAcquisition(3, 1, pixet.PX_FTYPE_AUTODETECT, "example.png")
print("dev.doSimpleAcquisition - end: %i (0 is OK)" % rc)

# do not execute the pixet.exitPixet(), it will cause whole the Pixet program to exit

Requirements

The Pixet Python API can be used from the Python interpreter integrated in the Pixet program or from commandline with external Python without the Pixet.

For starting from the Pixet Python scripting plugin are not need any special files.

If you want to run scripts without the Pixet, need additional files:
API functions using of pypixet.pyd and pypxproc.pyd and need Python versions 2.7 to 3.9, for Windows the Pixet core dlls: pxcore.dll, pxproc.dll, or linux .so ekvivalents.

The Pixet core need the pixet.ini file with proper hwlibs list inside, necessary hardware dll files (eq minipix.dll), subdirectory “configs” with config files for all present imaging chips (eq MiniPIX-I08-W0060.xml).

Files in the Pixet API package Files in Pixet AP package Linux	pxcore.dll (or lib...so) pxcore.lib pxproc.dll (or lib...so)	Binary libraries (pxcore.lib is only for Windows binary compile)
	pypixet.pyd (or .so) pypxproc.pyd (or .so)	Python core and processing libraries
	pxcapi.h	header for the pxcapi binary compile
	pixet.ini	Pixet core configuration file See: Files and directories of the Pixet and SDK - pixet.ini file
	main.cpp SampleProject.vcxproj SampleProject.sln	Sample Visual studio project
	*.rbf *.bit	Firmware files
	install_driver_rules.sh 60-opalkelly.rules 60-pixet.rules	Linux drivers installer and it's helper files
	okFrontPanel.dll libokFrontPanel.so	helper library of the zem.dll/so hwlib
	other files .dll (or .so - no lib...so)	Hwlib files (can be in separate directory) See: Files and directories of the Pixet and SDK - hwlibs
	pdf files	Binary and python API manuals

Pixet core on Windows need more Microsoft Visual Studio .NET standard dlls (vccorlib140.dll etc).

Project and auxilliary files examples

This is the directory and the pixet.ini file of the minimalistic python project. Using only with the Minipix device and can be run on computer with properly installed MS Visual Studio or it's auxiliary files installed by other way. The "factory" directory contains the factory config file. After the probram was started, pypixet.start() and pixet=pypixet.pixet, ... do something usesfull, ... pixet.exitPixet() and pypixet.exit() used, a new directories, as visible on the right, will remain after the program.

If the MS VS auxilliary files are not accesible from the project directory, you can copy it from the Pixet program directory. In this image you can see all the auxiliary files marked, including MS VS dlls, firmware files for all our devices, hwlibs directories, ... Copying it to a python project should always make it ready to work, but not all are always needed.

Files need for PY-API, located in the Pixet directory - with VS installed on computer

Files need for PY-API, locateI in the Pixet directory - without VS installed

Auxilliary files details

see:

• Small: Pixet SDK: Auxilliary files
• Details: Main directory of the API-using programs, independent on the Pixet

Basic troubleshooting

If normal error occured, like as function returns negative return code:

Use the device.lastError() to get error message and print or log it.

If You want contact technical support

Send us Your program, contents of the "logs" directory, the return code, error message and what do You want to do with the detector device.

If a problem like as "DLL load failed" occured and you want contact technical support

Use the dir command and send us Your program, the error message, version of Python that is installed on the computer and the dir output.

Tip: Use DIR with subdirs, redirected to file and python version redirected to file, than send us the files:

dir /s > dir.txt
python -c "import sys; print(sys.version_info)" > pyVersion.txt

Documentation

The documentation of the Python API is in a PDF file located in the API package.