QTVR/Object Rigs

1. I have a Macintosh G4 computer with no modem or serial port. Is there a way to hook up the TM400 to my computer using the Ethernet port? Or must I use a serial port?
2. I'm using eMCee and my TM400 with a Kodak DCS 520. I'm very interested in automating the capture process with Applescript. What do I do?
3. I have a new Mac that only has the USB and FireWire hookup. Can I run your motorized rigs on my computer?
4. I want to automate the whole object movie creation process. How can I do this?
5. Can I use a video camera to do my object movies?
6. What is FireWire?
7. Am I restricted to only being able to use a FireWire enabled DV camcorder with Spin Image’s DV software?
8. Can I do multi-row object movies with a Pixi or MDT-19?
9. After I finish my object movie and put it on the web, will the file be too big and take too long to download?
10. I need to do object movies of jewelry, what should I use?
11. Do you have a turntable that will hold larger than normal size objects (i.e. car, refrigerator, furniture)?
12. Can I use my digital camera and Spin Image to create my object movie DV kit?
13. How tall of an object can I put on your rigs?
14. Backdrop or Backdrop Kits-how tall do they stand?
15. Pedestals-how tall/diameter and what can I use to keep the object stable on it?
16. Does your M-2000 or M-2500 have increments on or around the arm and turntable?
17. Is the arm on the M-2500 motorized like the turntable?

ANSWERS

1. You must use the serial port along with a Keyspan serial adapter to control any of the Kaidan motorized rigs. [back]
   
   
2. First you need the DCS Aquire Plug-in Module from Kodak at http://www.kodak.com/global/en/professional/support/DCS/dcsRegister/downloadIndex.shtml
   Then you can download the AppleScripts at
   http://www.kaidan.com/products/emcee_cameras.html
   [back]
   
   
3. Yes. You must use the serial port along with a Keyspan serial adapter to control any of the Kaidan motorized rigs. [back]
   
   
4. You would have to use a camera that is AppleScriptable. [back]
   
   
5. Yes. In this case you’ll also need a computer that has a video capture card or capability. Certain video cameras and camcorders, particularly the newer digital units, have the ability to capture still images. You can use this technique or you can capture “frame grabs”. This is where you save the contents of the video window as a picture. Video applications handle this operation in different ways, so you will need to review your particular video application documentation. Also you’ll need to fix and lock the exposure. If you use auto-exposure mode, you will get different exposures of the object as it turns from one orientation to the other. These varying exposures will cause one image to be lighter or darker with respect to its neighbors. This difference in exposure will cause the resultant object movie to flicker and pulsate when viewed. In order to determine the proper exposure, you’ll need to use a light meter or to observe your cameras auto-exposure recommendations. Look at the exposure values and how they change as the object rotates through the entire 360 degrees. You’ll probably want to use the average exposure value that you see from the entire range of images. Once you’ve determined this average value, set and lock your camera for that specific exposure. [back]
   
   
6. FireWire is a high-speed serial input/output (I/O) technology for connecting peripherals to a computer. Originally developed by Apple, FireWire is now an official industry standard (IEEE 1394). FireWire is one of the fastest peripheral standards ever developed, which makes it great for use with multimedia peripherals such as video camcorders and other high-speed devices, like the latest hard disk drives and printers. Other companies use other names, such as I-Link and Lynx, to describe their IEEE 1394 products. [back]
   
   
7. No you are not restricted to only DV camcorders, but it is the fastest and simplest way to create object movies using Spin Image DV software. Almost all digital video cameras support FireWire. However, most standard camcorders do not. Still, some adapters exist that can convert the video signal coming from your camcorder into something that SpinImage DV can use. Of course, the quality will not be as high as you would achieve using a digital video camera connected directly to your computer. As listed in Our Supported Devices page and in Appendix A of the 3-D Object Imaging Quick Start Guide, the Sony DVMC-DA2 and the Dazzle Hollywood DV-Bridge AV adapters allow you to use your current camcorder with SpinImage DV.  In addition to capturing video directly from your DV camera, the SpinImage DV software also allows you to import a movie file from disk (floppy, zip, hard drive, etc.). This may be helpful if you have captured video outside of the software, but still want to create a SpinImage file from the clip. The SpinImage DV Imaging Software is capable of importing any format recognized by QuickTime (supported file types are listed below). Either drag the movie file onto the SpinImage icon, or use File>Open QuickTime Video( -O) from the menu bar. From this point on, create your 360-degree image the same way that you would if you had captured the video directly from the camera to the computer. Note: be sure that the camera has recorded at least one full rotation of the object.
   
   QuickTime SUPPORTED FILE TYPES
   • QuickTime Movie (.mov, .qt)
   • DV (.dif, .dv)
   • Open DML (.avi)
   • Session Description Protocol (.sdp)
   • Video for Windows (.avi)
   
   
   * * N O T E: When importing .avi files, you MUST use File>Open QuickTime Video( -O). [back]
   
   
8. Yes by elevating the object using one of Kaidan’s Pedestal Kits like the M-1000P or M1000AP, to shoot a row underneath, straight on and above. These pedestal kits are mounted using the threaded hole that is already in the center of the Pixi™, 3-D Object Imaging Kit, and MDT-19 turntables. [back]
   
   
9. Most object movie software comes with the ability to compress the file to a size which will download quickly. [back]
   
   
10. You can use our Pixi™, the 3D Object Imaging Kit or the MDT-19 turntables. [back]
    
    
11. We have the MT-84 which will hold a maximum of 1000 pounds and is 7 feet in diameter. It will hold a refrigerator or furniture but not a car. [back]
    
    
12. Yes. Your digital camera must have a movie mode. Once the movie file is downloaded onto the computer it then can be imported into Spin Image DV. The Spin Image DV Imaging Software is capable of importing any format recognized by QuickTime Note: Be sure that the camera has recorded at least one full rotation of the object. [back]
    
    
13. Maximum weight is more important than height. Height won’t be a problem if you secure the object to the turntable plus you don’t exceed the maximum weight of the particular turntable. The problem will be getting the whole object in the frame. Below are the recommended weights for all of our rigs:
    
    
    • 3-D Object Imaging Kit = 20 lbs.
    • Pixi™ = 50 lbs.
    • MDT-19 = 75 lbs.
    • T-400 = 400 lbs.
    • TM-400 = 400 lbs.
    • M-2000 = 400 lbs.
    • M-25000 = 400 lbs.
    • C-60 = 400 lbs.
    • MT-84 = 1000 lbs.
    
    
    [back]
    
    
14. Our Black Photographic Backdrop stand height is a 9 ft.. Maximum width is 9-1/2 ft. The reversible backdrop material is 6 ft. x 8 ft. The Backdrop Kit is 28 inches wide by 22 inches high. [back]
    
    
15. Our M-1000AP has height range of 14 inches to 23 inches. The M-1000P has two fixed length tubes that are 8 inch and 12 inch. Both have a base which is 3 inches in diameter and the top cap is 1-1/2 inches in diameter. You can keep your object secure with either double sticky tape or modeling clay. [back]
    
    
16. The M-2000 has a degree wheel on the gearbox which controls the arm and a degree wheel underneath the turntable. The M-2500 only has a degree wheel on the gearbox which controls the arm. [back]
    
    
17. Yes the arm is motorized like the turntable. [back]         

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