Simple GUI for pi camera that allows you to select an ROI for recording. Uses the picamera python library

Download or clone this repo onto a raspberry pi running debian buster. The newer camera stack is incompatible with picamera.

As of November 2020 you also need to manually update the picamera python module for compatability with the new HQ camera. Clone leoscholl/picamera and install with pip3 install picamera

Install pynput with pip3 install pynput

Set the resolution of your display to 720p.

In the file manager, under Edit/Preferences/General, check the box for "Don't ask options on launch executable file".
Drag macroscope.desktop to the desktop while holding ctrlalt to make a copy.

You will need a mouse and keyboard if you want to make recordings and set the ROI. Make a copy of the shortcut into /etc/xdg/autostart/ if you want it to start automatically.

• Create a "recordings" folder in your home directory.
• Double click the shortcut. Enter a session name for the recordings.
• Click and drag the mouse to set the ROI. Click anywhere to reset to the full frame.
• Scroll up or down to increase or decrease exposure compensation. One scroll is 1/6 of a stop.
• Press P to show/hide the preview.
• Press R to rotate the image by 90 degrees.
• Click the red circle at the top left or press Space to begin recording. The resolution of the recordings is currently defined by the resolution of the screen. What you see is what you get, minus the GUI overlays.
• Press Enter to take a still image.
• Press Esc to exit. This will stop recording if it is on.