ZEISS INSPECT Python API Examples Overview

Welcome to the ZEISS INSPECT Python API Examples. Here you can find the documentation of the examples which are provided by the Python API Examples Add-On. You can reuse and adapt these code examples to your specific use case and learn the best-practices we recommend.

How the examples are structured

You will find example scripts in a corresponding category folder, e.g. data_interfaces, dialog_widgets, etc.

The folders of the example scripts correspond to the chapters of this documentation. Many of the examples have the following structure:

def function1 ():
  <example code1>
  
def function2 ():
  # -------------------------------------------------------------------------
  <example code2>
  # -------------------------------------------------------------------------

[...]

if __name__ == '__main__':
  [...]
  something = function1()
  something2 = function2()
  [...]

The most important spots of the example are marked with # ------ comments in the code.

Overall, this structure seems to be a little bit too complex for simple examples. The same result could be achieved by directly writing the <example code> in the script without separating it into functions. However, this has a reason. The functions function1 and function2 can be tested from another test script. You are highly encouraged to use this modular approach as well, to keep your code testable and reusable.

If you are interested in testing add-ons (which you should be), learn more in our Testing Add-Ons How-To.

Example projects

Most of the example scripts rely on a certain project file to be loaded. The add-on already contains these projects, and some examples load them automatically when it is possible (E.g. in the if __name__ == '__main__' block).

Sometimes it is necessary to load projects manually. You can do this easily using the setup_project.py script.

The following project files are included:

Project name	Description
zeiss_part_test_project	Simple optically measured part with a CAD, mesh and some basic inspection
volume_test_part	A small test volume for CT related inspections
zeiss_part_test_measurement	Optical measurement series and preliminary mesh of ZEISS part

Examples by topic

Folder	Description
data_interfaces	Access to data of ZEISS INSPECT “elements”
dialog_widgets	Examples how use custom dialogs and handle user input events
misc	Miscellaneous examples
script_icons	Set icons for scripts or buttons
script_resources	How to access binary data of your add-on (resources)
scripted_actuals	Building actual elements with custom python code
scripted_checks	Building custom checks with python code