VibeCoding/.agents/skills/camerax/references/expert-blueprints.md

Complex camera features often fail due to "Agent Stall" or timeouts when attempted in a single turn. Use these blueprints to break tasks into manageable phases.

Manual controls

Phase one: ViewModel and state

1. Define a ManualSettings data class.
2. Add a MutableStateFlow<ManualSettings> to your CameraViewModel.
3. Implement the Jetpack Compose UI with sliders and switches to update this flow.

Phase two: Controller wiring

1. In CameraController.kt, create a new function updateManualSettings(settings: ManualSettings).
2. Map these settings into the CameraSystem layer.

Phase three: CameraX Camera2Interop wiring

1. In CameraSession.kt, use the Camera2Interop.Extender utility to access Camera2 capture request keys.
2. Apply the hardware keys:
   • CaptureRequest.SENSOR_SENSITIVITY to set ISO sensitivity.
   • CaptureRequest.SENSOR_EXPOSURE_TIME to set exposure time.
   • CaptureRequest.LENS_FOCUS_DISTANCE to set focus distance.
3. Critical : If manual exposure is active, set CaptureRequest.CONTROL_AE_MODE to CameraMetadata.CONTROL_AE_MODE_OFF. ---

RAW and JPEG capture

Phase one: Output configuration

1. Verify device support for RAW capture using CameraInfo.
2. Configure ImageCapture.Builder with OUTPUT_FORMAT_RAW_JPEG or OUTPUT_FORMAT_RAW.

Phase two: Implementation

1. Provide ImageCapture.OutputFileOptions for the target storage locations.
2. Invoke takePicture. CameraX internally manages DngCreator to wrap RAW data with the required CameraCharacteristics and CaptureResult metadata.

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Apply image effects

Phase one: Effects selection

1. Use the androidx.media3:media3-effect dependency.
2. Use RgbFilter or HslAdjustment for standard color grading.

Phase two: Application

1. Configure Composition.Builder or MediaItem.Builder with the list of effects.
2. Inject the list of effects into the CameraX Recorder or Preview using the setEffects method.

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Low-light capture

For guidance on Night Mode Extensions and Low Light Boost, low-light.md.