PiCamera script runs from IDE but not from terminal

[Zane470]

So I have a simple PiCamera script that basically just calls the start_preview() function, and it works perfectly in the python 2.7.9 IDE if I click Run->Run Module.

When I call this script (named camera.py) from the terminal using:

python camera.py

It runs and executes successfully, but nothing happens. No camera preview window pops up...What is going on?

[wmsrite]

Have you enabled the camera in raspi-config?
Go to the terminal and from the command line type:

Code: Select all

raspi-config

It'll open a window interface. Make sure the camera is enabled and that I2C is also enabled. Both must be enabled to get the camera working. You might also want to enable SSH at the same time, you'll need it later. Then reboot.

After it reboots open the terminal again and type:

Code: Select all

raspistill -d

It should give you a 10 second or so preview. if That doesn't work check back and I'll help some more.
Best of luck,
Wm

[beckerc]

Did you ever figure this out? I'm having the same problem and have tried everything I can think of to make this work from the command line. It seems very odd because I run other python programs from the same directory with no problem. Things I have tried that have not worked, mostly from online suggestions:

1. including a shebang line in the program
2. turning on I2C
3. going from headless to connecting with a screen

Again, the program works fine from an IDE and when I type individual lines into a python REPL, but fails when I type "python camera.py" in the LXTerminal when I am in the same directory as the program. (python3 camera.py also fails.) There are no error messages, but nothing happens. The next line of the command prompt is returned.

Here are the 3 lines of code of the program.

import picamera
camera = picamera.PiCamera()
camera.start_preview()

Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated as I am out of ideas.

[mkond]

I have the same exact problem.
The following code run from the IDLE but not from a command line.

from picamera import PiCamera
from time import sleep
camera=PICamera()
camera.start_preview()
sleep(10)
camera.stop_preview()

If i run this code from the IDLE it works.
If I try to run it from a command line , (sudo python3 IR camera.py) it just returns the command prompt.
Any ideas?

[kmob]

Try putting "camera.close()" at the end of the script

[pcmanbob]

If i run this code from the IDLE it works.
If I try to run it from a command line , (sudo python3 IR camera.py) it just returns the command prompt.

Try changing the name of the saved file from IR camera.py to IRcamera.py

then call it with sudo python3 IRcamera.py are you sure you need to use sudo ?

Linux does not like spaces in file names.

[DougieLawson]

Why does that need sudo? Have you caught a nasty dose of sudoitis?

[John145]

Try using camera.close()n method or else try changing ur file name...That is only mybkexperience issue i see.