Background capture
Refresh the still image used as the canvas backdrop.
The camera overlay is a captured still frame, not live video. Refresh it whenever the material, fixture, lid, bed, or camera position changes.
Capture a frame
- Place the material or fixture on the bed.
- Open the Camera panel.
- Select the fixed camera.
- Click Update Overlay.
Beam Bench requests camera permission if needed, captures one frame, and shows it behind the design. Use the Overlay checkbox and Opacity control to compare the image with the canvas.
If no mapping or alignment exists, Beam Bench creates a centered fit-to-bed preview. Use Adjust Overlay and Save Alignment before relying on the image for placement.
Refresh after changes
Click Update Overlay again after anything in the physical setup moves. The previous frame is replaced.
Changing capture resolution can clear a saved mapping or alignment because pixel coordinates from the old frame no longer match.
CLI
With the API enabled:
beambench-cli camera capture --camera <device-id> --output /tmp/frame.pngOn macOS, keep the desktop app running because native capture uses the in-app camera permission and capture flow.
Verify it worked
- The Latest capture dimensions match the selected camera.
- The canvas shows the newly staged material or fixture.
- Known bed features still match the saved alignment.