Camera setup for PrusaLink / Prusa Connect

Relevant for:

MK2.5 MK2.5S MK3 MK3S MK3S+XL MK4 MK3.9 MK3.5

Last updated 3 days ago

Difficulty

Difficult

Steps

Available languages

Step 1 Introduction: Prusa Connect options

This guide outlines the camera options available for printers controlled by Prusa Connect or PrusaLink.
To get more info about these services, visit the Prusa Connect and PrusaLink explained article.

⬢The Camera options for Prusa Connect are:

⬢Phone with a camera / or a computer with a webcam connected to internet and linked with Prusa Connect.

⬢ESP32 Cam by Miroslav Pivovarsky
Follow the dedicated guide for more.

⬢Thanks to Prusa Connect’s Open API, several third-party options are also available.

The list continues in the next step.

Step 2 Introduction: Prusa Link options

Following options are available for PrusaLink and Prusa Connect on i3 series printers only (MK2.5/S MK3/S/+):

⬢RPi camera connected via CSI directly to Raspberry Pi or Raspberry Pi Zero running PrusaLink / Octoprint

⬢USB Webcam connected to Raspberry Pi running PrusaLink (or RPi Zero using USB OTG adapter)

Alternatively, these options are also compatible with RPi + Octoprint on MK4 / MK3.9 / XL printers

Continue to the next steps to explore the options one by one.

Step 3 Phone with a camera

⬢In these steps, will check out the first way to assign a camera to one of your printers in Prusa Connect:

⬢

Using a phone as a webcam.

Or any computer with a webcam and a web browser.

This method is compatible with all the printer models available in Prusa Connect.

⬢

Navigate to Connect.prusa3D.com, open up the printer details page for one of your printers.

⬢Open up Cameras page.

⬢Click + ADD NEW CAMERA

Step 4 Phone with a camera

⬢On the phone you are going to use as a webcam, open up the link either by clicking the QR code or scanning it.

⬢On the phone, click the START CAMERA button to start streaming the image to Prusa Connect.

⬢The camera image will appear in the Printer details page in Prusa Connect, in the Cameras page for the given printer as well as in the printer thumbnail.

Step 5 RPi camera via CSI

⬢As a next option, in the following steps, we will install the RPi camera connected to Raspberry Pi using the CSI port.

⬢This setup is compatible with any of the printers that need to run PrusaLink on a Raspberry Pi, which are the Original Prusa MK2.5, MK2.5S, MK3, MK3S, MK3S+.

Alternatively, this setup is also compatible with RPi + Octoprint on MK4 / MK3.9 / XL printers.

Step 6 RPi camera via CSI

⬢For the following steps, please prepare:

⬢Raspberry Pi CSI camera

⬢Supported versions are: Pi camera 1.3, 2, 3 / NoIR / Wide

⬢CSI cable for Pi camera (get a compatible version for your Raspberry Pi)

⬢RPi Zero CSI cable has a narrower connector on the RPi side.

⬢Standard RPi CSI cable has same connectors on both sides.

⬢RPi camera holder and cover of your choice (you can print one from Printables.com)

Step 7 RPi camera via CSI

⬢Pull the locking part out on the camera’s connector.

⬢Plug the cable into the connector. Orient the cable so that the conductive pads are facing the pins in the connector.

⬢Make sure the cable is fully seated in the connector. Then, press the locking part of the connector to fix the cable in place.

Step 8 RPi camera via CSI

⬢Remove the RPi from your printer.

⬢Pull out the locking part on the RPi camera connector.

⬢Insert the CSI cable into the camera connector on the RPi.

On RPi Zero, the camera connector is smaller than on the RPi 3/3+/4 board.

⬢Orient the cable so that the conductive pads are facing the pins in the connector.

⬢Make sure the cable is fully seated in the connector. Then, press the locking part of the connector to fix the cable in place.

⬢

Install the camera into a case and attach it onto a holder.

Re-wire or re-attach the RPi back onto your printer.

⬢Skip to the PrusaLink RPi camera setup step to configure the camera.

Step 9 USB camera & RPi

⬢As a next option, in the following steps, we will connect a USB camera to Raspberry Pi running PrusaLink.

⬢This setup is compatible with any of the printers that need to run PrusaLink on a Raspberry Pi, which are the Original Prusa MK2.5, MK2.5S, MK3, MK3S, MK3S+.

Alternatively, this setup is also compatible with RPi + Octoprint on MK4 / MK3.9 / XL printers

Step 10 USB camera & RPi

⬢Power down the printer and the RPi.

⬢Connect the camera’s USB cable into a free USB port on the RPi.

⬢In case you’re connecting the camera to RPi Zero using USB OTG adapter, use the microUSB plug labeled USB, NOT the one labeled PWR_IN.

⬢Re-wire or re-attach the RPi back onto your printer.

Step 11 PrusaLink RPi camera setup

⬢Connect the printer with the RPi back together and turn it on.

⬢Open up PrusaLink in your browser, log in.

⬢Visit the Cameras tab

⬢Below the camera image, there is a Link camera to Connect button. Turn this function on.

Step 12 Camera linked to Prusa Connect

⬢The camera image will appear in the Printer details page in Prusa Connect, in the Cameras page for the given printer as well as in the printer thumbnail.

⬢If you want to explore more about the Prusa printer remote control services, visit the Prusa Connect and PrusaLink explained article.

Camera setup for PrusaLink / Prusa Connect

Camera setup for PrusaLink / Prusa Connect

Step 1 Introduction: Prusa Connect options

Step 2 Introduction: Prusa Link options

Step 3 Phone with a camera

Step 4 Phone with a camera

Step 5 RPi camera via CSI

Step 6 RPi camera via CSI

Step 7 RPi camera via CSI

Step 8 RPi camera via CSI

Step 9 USB camera & RPi

Step 10 USB camera & RPi

Step 11 PrusaLink RPi camera setup

Step 12 Camera linked to Prusa Connect

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