Sharpness Indicator
The Sharpness Indicator feature helps you to focus your
lens correctly. A visual display will show you when you have reached the
optimum focus.
How It Works
The Sharpness Indicator measures the sharpness in a section of
the current image. This section is called the Sharpness ROI. You can adjust
its size and position as desired.
To measure the sharpness, the Sharpness Indicator evaluates the edges
in the image. An edge is perceived as sharp if there is a strong contrast
in color or brightness or both. As a rule of thumb, a well-focused image
has more sharp edges.
For best results when you're using the Sharpness Indicator to focus
your camera lens, use a test chart rich in contrast, e.g., the ISO 12233
test chart.
Using the Sharpness Indicator to Focus a Lens
To open or close the Sharpness Indicator
pane, click the
icon in the toolbar.

To focus your lens:
- Set up the camera in your environment.
Ideally, use a test chart with high contrast and clearly-defined edges.
The distance to the camera should be about the same as your intended
target object/scene. Lighting conditions should also be similar as
during actual working conditions.
- Open the Sharpness Indicator pane.
- Open the camera
and start continuous image acquisition.
An image pane opens with the sharpness ROI displayed in the center
of the image.
- (Optional) Adjust the sharpness ROI if required.
If you're not using a test chart but your actual target object/scene,
you may want to focus on a particular area of the image or you may
need a larger or smaller sharpness ROI.
To return to the sharpness ROI to its original settings, right-click
the image and choose Reset Sharpness ROI to
Default.
- Turn the focus ring of your lens to its minimum and maximum positions
once.
You will notice how the display in the Sharpness
Indicator pane changes.
- Slowly turn the focus ring until the Sharpness Indicator shows
100 %.
Tips
To achieve better results, try the following:
- Use a target with high contrast and clearly-defined edges, ideally
a test chart, e.g., the ISO 12233 test chart.
- Work with well-exposed images. Adjust gain
and exposure time for optimum brightness.
Alternatively, use the automatic
image adjustment feature by clicking
.
- Minimize noise in the image, e.g., by lowering the gain.
- If possible, use a large aperture (which corresponds to a low ƒ/
number).
- Avoid scenes with good contrast at multiple distances from the
camera. Adjust the ROI to select only the desired distance from the
camera.
- After adjusting the ROI, click Reset
in the Sharpness Indicator pane to reset
the sharpness measurement to the new selection.
- Turn the focus ring slowly so the software can analyze as many
steps as possible.
- While turning the focus ring, don't move the camera as this may
negatively affect the sharpness in the image.
- Make sure that you complete one full turn of the focus ring before
judging the results.