Dimming the IR LEDs

[Tegid]

Is there a way (aside from putting a neutral medium over the lens) to dim the LEDs. I've seen the system appear to auto-gain adjust before, but I'm intentionally looking at things close to the device (4 inches or less) and I would prefer to have less of the image completely blown out (some blow out is fine or even good). Can I force the gain adjustment in software?

(Using the C++ and Python SDKs)

[Joe_Ward]

No, there's no API for controlling the LED output or camera sensitivity.

[Tegid]

Is there a reliable way to force them to auto-gain? Like place a reflector close at startup?

[arviddeleer]

Are there plans to create an API to control the LEDs or even disable them or is this technically impossible because of how the LM was designed?

[AlexColgan]

We don't have plans to put that into place, as the software was built with close coordination between the LEDs and cameras in mind. It's certainly possible, but would require engineering resources that are dedicated to other projects and features. The alternative for hackers who want to use the cameras for things other than hand tracking would be to block the LEDs.

[arviddeleer]

Maybe you could reconsider this, as the Leap Motion would be the perfect standardized tool for tracking infrared LEDs, for instance for 3D head tracking (not only VR-glasses like Oculus Rift).
You already offer the possibility to track a pencil, but tracking IR LEDs in 3D would provide developers with lots of extra possibilities and probably more stable tracking of custom made tools.
For starters, disabling the LM IR leds would be a big leap (pun intended )

[arviddeleer]

For people still looking for a solution to disable the leds, I have found a simple way. Unfortunately not through software.
Open the Leap Motion like this: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cjJ9sEWA2Ag
and put some aluminum foil in front of the leds (1 sheet thickness is enough). This will block the IR light.