With the Overlay Image function, a static image can be displayed over the current video image, for example to mask areas relevant to privacy protection. The function can also be used to display calibration/orientation information within the image.

Use the Enable overlay check box to enable the overlay function for all ibaCapture clients.

With <Start editing> you can edit an overlay image. The camera image will be shown as a still image in its original size. For large resolutions, it may be required to use the scroll bars to see the whole image.

The overlay image can be created by using these controls:

Overlay color

The overlay color can be selected by clicking the color field.

<Add overlay ­region>

Overlay regions generally are created as polygons. Set the corner points by clicking at the desired position in the image. You can verify the created polygon instantly in the preview. You can move the corner points by holding down the left mouse button. If you hold down the <Shift> key, the line snaps to certain angles in 15-degree steps.

To abort polygon creation, click the <Cancel> button. With <Apply> you confirm the created polygon.

<Remove overlay region>

You can create corner points of a polygon by clicking. With this polygon, areas can be removed from the previously created overlay image. This means that the area thus defined is made visible again.

<Save overlay>

Overlay images can be saved as PNG.

<Clear overlay>

The overlay image is removed.

<Load overlay>

Existing PNG images can be loaded as overlay images.

With <Stop editing> you finish editing the overlay masking. You can verify the overlay image in the preview.

By clicking <Apply> the new ibaCapture server configuration becomes effective.

Restrictions with enabled overlay

The main use for image overlays is the creation of privacy masks. As the received video streams are not modified after they are received by ibaCapture Server, video from potentially sensitive areas is still stored. It will only be masked when video is displayed by ibaCapture Player.

To avoid sensitive areas being visible, the following functions of ibaCapture are restricted for cameras with overlay enabled:

  • RTSP server

  • Video export