> For the complete documentation index, see [llms.txt](https://docs.augelab.com/llms.txt). Markdown versions of documentation pages are available by appending `.md` to page URLs; this page is available as [Markdown](https://docs.augelab.com/faq/setting-up-your-hardware.md).

# Setting up a full project

### 1. Investigate the Environment <a href="#investigate-the-environment" id="investigate-the-environment"></a>

* **Lighting, Dust, and Movement**: Assess the stability of the environment.
  * A more stable environment without dynamic lights, shadows can significantly reduce costs.
  * If you are in control of the environment, make sure no external movement occurs in the detection zone.

### 2. Assess What Needs to be Checked <a href="#assess-what-needs-to-be-checked" id="assess-what-needs-to-be-checked"></a>

**Considerations:**

* **Object Alignment**: Do objects change alignment/angle? Can objects be detected without AI modules?
* **Object Speed**: High-speed objects may require cameras with higher shutter speeds.
* **Surface Characteristics**: Proper lighting can drastically reduce detection difficulty.
* **Lighting**: If lighting can not be controlled and dynamic, the problem most certainly should be solved with AI.

### 3. Determine if AI is Required <a href="#determine-if-ai-is-required" id="determine-if-ai-is-required"></a>

* **Vision Methods**: If methods outside AI can't solve the problem robustly, AI might be necessary.
* **Cost Consideration**: Solving problems without AI can reduce costs significantly.

### 4. Experiment with What You Have <a href="#experiment-with-what-you-have" id="experiment-with-what-you-have"></a>

* **Camera/Lighting Angles and Colors**: Experiment/think to see if different angles and colors make the problem easier to solve.

### 5. Purchase and Test Camera/Lighting <a href="#purchase-and-test-camera-lighting" id="purchase-and-test-camera-lighting"></a>

#### Camera <a href="#camera" id="camera"></a>

* **High Shutter Speed**: Requires more powerful lighting. Allows faster detection.
* **Global Shutter**: Recommended to minimize distortion.
* **Resolution**: Resolution is also important:

  * **Higher**: Higher resolution cameras may detect smaller details better. However, takes longer to process.
  * **Lower**: May solve your problem better.

  To check if your resolution is enough, it's always more accurate to buy a dummy camera before hand. You can follow the to steps check if the resolution is good enough:

  * Use AugeLab Studio and inspect the image. Is the detail you are looking for clearly visible?
  * If visible, calculate the *mm/pixel* ratio using a simple ruler and assess the precision.

#### Lighting <a href="#lighting" id="lighting"></a>

* **LED Lights**: Recommended to avoid flickering from other light sources.
* **Soft LED Lights**: Sometimes, using soft LED lights may reduce reflections.
* **Reflecting off a Surface**: Leaving the object under indirect lighting, reflecting of a surface can prove softer lighting.

### 6. Buy Correct Hardware and Configuration <a href="#buy-correct-hardware-and-configuration" id="buy-correct-hardware-and-configuration"></a>

* **PC/Lighting/Camera**: Based on the questions above, choose the [correct PC setup](/introduction/system-requirements.md) for your project.
* **Correct Cables**: Ensure you have the correct communication or power cables for dummy or GigE cameras.
* **Network Connectivity**: Ensure all devices are connected to the same network or router.

### 7. Test and Iterate Your Solution <a href="#test-and-iterate-your-solution" id="test-and-iterate-your-solution"></a>

* Continuously test and iterate to refine your setup for potential errors.