Table of Contents
Warranty
Warning
.
Caution
Specifications
...
Features and Nomenclature
Installation
Alignment
Operating the 3D
Condenser System
Documentation of 3D
Images .
Presentation of 3D Images
References
.
Copyright
©
2001 by Edge 3D Imaging, LLC
PRODUCT:
Edge
3D Condenser System
Edge
3D Imaging, LLC (Edge)
warrants this product against defects in materials and workmanship for a
period of two (2) years from the date of purchase subject to the following
limitations:
·
For a period of one (1) year from the date of purchase, Edge will
repair or replace defective electrical parts contained in the EDGE 3D
CONDENSER System at no charge.
Charges
for parts and labor will apply to all work performed after the expiration
of the specific warranty period set forth herein.
To
obtain service during or after these periods, contact your local Edge
distributor. Every effort will be made to provide service at the users
location. During the warranty period, EDGE will pay shipping charges if
the product must be returned for repair. After the warranty period, any
shipping charges will be the responsibility of the user.
IT IS SPECIFICALLY AGREED THAT THIS WARRANTY IS IN
LIEU OF ALL OTHER WARRANTIES WHETHER EXPRESS OR IMPLIED INCLUDING THE
WARRANTY OF MERCHANTABILITY AND WARRANTY FOR PARTICULAR PURPOSE. EDGE
SHALL NOT BE LIABLE FOR ANY INCIDENTAL OR CONSEQUENTIAL DAMAGES ARISING
FROM THE BREACH OF ANY EXPRESS OR IMPLIED WARRANTY ON THIS PRODUCT.
This
warranty does not cover cosmetic damage nor damage resulting from acts of
God, accidents, misuse, abuse, negligence, and normal wear and tear. This
warranty is valid only in the United States of America.
No
agent, employee, or representative of EDGE has any authority to bind EDGE
to any representation or warranty concerning this product unless said
representation or warranty is contained in this limited warranty
agreement.
Edge 3D Imaging, LLC
441 N. 5th Street
Philadelphia, PA 19123
Tel: 215-625-0600
Fax: 215-625-5005
Email: mail@edge-3D.com
Web: www.edge-3D.com
Federal
Communications Commission Radio Frequency Statement:
This
equipment has been tested and found to comply with the limits for a Class
A digital device, pursuant to Part 15 of the FCC rules. These limits are
designed to provide reasonable protection against harmful interference
when the equipment is operated in a commercial environment. This equipment
generates, uses, and can radiate radio frequency energy and, if not
installed and used in accordance with the instruction manual, may cause
harmful interference to radio communications. Operation of this equipment
in a residential area is likely to cause harmful interference in which
case the user will be required to correct the interference at his own
expense.
Changes
or modifications not expressly approved by Edge 3D Imaging, LLC, may void
your authority to operate this device.
Intended
Product Use:
The
3D Condenser System should be used only as a condenser system for
microscopes with removable condenser lenses. Do not use the system for any
other purpose. Furthermore, the 3D Condenser System should be used only in
an indoor environment.
Do
Not Disassemble:
Disassembling
any part of the 3D Condenser System could result in electrical shock or
damage to the equipment. Disassembling the unit will void the warranty.
Never disassemble any portion of the equipment unless you are following
the procedure described in this manual for changing the dynamic aperture
sector. If you have any problems with the equipment, contact you Edge
representative.
Check
the Input Voltage:
Make
sure that the input voltage is within the acceptable range (see
Specifications); 100-240 volts AC with a frequency of 47-63 Hz. If it is
not the same, do not use the 3D Condenser System and notify your Edge
representative. Using the wrong input voltage for the power supply could
result in a short circuit or fire, and could also damage the power supply
and any equipment connected to the power supply.
Use Only the Specified Power Cord:
When
connecting the electrical outlet to the power supply, use only the
specified power cord supplied with the 3D Condenser System. Using any
other chord may result in damage to the equipment or fire.
In
order to avoid electrical shock, always turn off the power switch before
connecting the power cord.
Caution
Do Not Wet the 3D Condenser System:
The
3D Condenser System should be used only in an indoor environment. If the
unit gets wet, a short circuit may result that could damage the unit. If
you accidentally spill a liquid on the equipment, immediately turn off the
power switch on the Control Box and unplug the power cord. Then use a dry
cloth to wipe away any moisture. If any liquid gets inside the equipment,
do not attempt to use it. Instead, notify your Edge representative.
Specifications
Components:
·
Turret-type Condenser Lens System
·
Control Box
·
Power Supply
·
Power Cable
·
Pair of polarizing filters for your microscope eyepieces
·
Users Manual
·
3D Viewer
Electrical:
·
AC line input for the switching power supply is 100 to 240 volts,
with a frequency of 47-63 Hz, 0.7 amps.
·
Output is 12 volts, 2.0 amps max.
Operating
environment:
·
Indoor use only
·
Temperature range from 10O C to 32.5O C (50O
F to 90.5O F)
·
Humidity range from 20-80% (no condensation)
Storage
environments
·
Temperature range from 0O C to 35O C (32O
F to 95O F)
·
Humidity range from 10-80% (no condensation)
Dimensions:
·
Turret Condenser
5.0W x 6.2D x 3.75H inches (12.7 x 15.7 x 9.5 cm)
·
Control Box
5.12W x 7.25D x 3.67H inches (13 x 18.4 x 9.3 cm)
Weight:
·
Turret Condenser
6.8 ounces (0.2 kg)
·
Control Box
3.8 ounces (0.1 kg)
Features
and Nomenclature
Turret
Condenser:
1.
Lens
2.
Dovetail Adapter
3.
Turret Housing
4.
Motor
5.
Aperture Access Port
6.
Centering Knobs
7.
Locking knob
8.
Condenser Iris Diaphragm
Control
Box:
1.
LCD Display
·
Power - Will display ON
when running
·
Motor - Will display RUN
when oblique aperture motor is on
·
Speed - Will display the
relative speed of the oblique aperture motor on a scale of 100
2.
Control Pad
·
Motor - turns on/off the
rotation of the oblique aperture mask
·
Up Arrow - increases the
speed of rotation of the oblique aperture mask
·
Down Arrow - decreases
the speed of rotation of the oblique aperture mask
·
L - positions the
oblique aperture to create a left-eye view of specimen
·
R - positions the
oblique aperture to create a right-eye view of specimen
·
N - positions the
oblique aperture to create a North view of specimen
·
S - positions the
oblique aperture to create a South view of specimen
3.
On/Off Switch
4.
Multipin Connector
5.
RS-232 Port
6.
Foot Pedal Port
7.
Power In
Installation
Depending
on which type of microscope has been selected for the 3D Condenser System,
whether it is an existing instrument or purchased specifically for the 3D
Condenser System, the condenser will be fitted with the dovetail
attachment appropriate for that microscope. Ensure that you have the
correct dovetail adapter for the microscope you are using (see the sticker
on the outside box). If you wish to use the condenser on more than one
type of microscope, additional dovetail adapters are available and can be
purchased from Edge 3D web site (www.edge-3D.com)
For questions or details pertaining to a specific microscope please
contact your microscope dealer or contact Edge 3D Imaging directly.
·
Remove the standard condenser lens from your microscope.
·
Using the supplied 3D Condenser System adapter for your microscope,
attach the turret-like condenser lens where the traditional condenser lens
would normally attach. Ensure the condenser unit is positioned squarely
and not at an angle. Tighten the condenser lens system into place. You
will not have to replace your standard condenser lens again because the 3D
Condenser System can also function as a conventional condenser lens for
standard brightfield microscopy.
·
Position the Control Box close to one side of the microscope.
·
Connect the multipin cable between the Control Box and the turret
condenser unit.
·
Connect the power cable between the power supply and the electrical
outlet (100-240 volts, 47-63 Hz).
·
Connect the smaller cable from the power supply to the Control Box.
·
Turn on the power switch on the Control Box. The unit will take a
few seconds to initialize.
·
Place the turret into the conventional 2D position.
·
Turn on your microscope, place a specimen on the stage and focus
the image.
·
Focus and center the condenser lens as you would a conventional
condenser.
Alignment
Two
different alignment procedures must take place: 1) the oblique aperture
mask must be aligned and centered, and 2) the polarizing filters must be
installed into your eyepieces and aligned.
Centering the Oblique Aperture Mask:
·
Focus on a specimen using a fairly high magnification objective
lens (NA between 0.5 and 0.95).
·
With the turret in the conventional 2D position (counter-clockwise)
ensure the condenser lens is properly centered and focused for Kφhler
illumination.
·
Kφhler illumination
procedure: a) focus on specimen, b) close the field stop at the base of
the microscope, c) focus the condenser lens so that the image of the iris
in the field stop is sharp and the polygon shape is clearly visible, d)
center the image of the iris by adjusting the condenser centering screws
attached to the condenser holder, and then e) open the field stop iris.
·
Place the specimen in a position just past its edge so that there
is nothing in the field of view (do not change the focus).
·
Rotate the turret into the central position to engage the oblique
aperture mask.
·
Rotate the aperture mask by pressing the control marked Motor.
·
Remove one of the eyepieces from the microscope and replace it with
a telescope eyepiece. If you don't have a telescope eyepiece then look
straight down the eyepiece tube to observe the rotation of the oblique
aperture mask.
·
If the sector-shaped mask is not visible, make sure that all
diffusing filters have been removed from your microscope.
·
Release the Locking Knob
on top of the turret and center the apex of the pie-shaped sector of light
using the two Centering Knobs.
If you are not using a telescope eyepiece, ensure that your eye is
observing the motion from optical center of the eyepiece tube. Place the
apex of the sector-shaped mask at the optical center. If you are using a
phase contrast objective, then use the image of the phase ring as a target
to center the apex of the oblique aperture mask.
·
Once the rotating aperture mask is centered, then tighten the Locking Knob.
·
The oblique aperture is now centered, however please note that the
centering may vary when different objective lens are used.
Installing and Aligning the Eyepiece Polarizing
Filters:
Install
the polarizing filters into eyepieces. Depending on the microscope
selected for 3D Condenser System, the appropriate polarizing filters for
that microscope will be included. The polarizing filters must be properly
oriented within the eyepieces.
·
Hold a piece of black paper (or some other opaque material) under
the opening in the bottom of the condenser lens. Hold the paper as close
as possible to the opening at the condenser dovetail. Hold the paper so
that only the light entering the left
half of the condenser lens is blocked.
·
At the same time, rotate the polarizing filter in the left
eyepiece so that it is oriented is such that the image becomes the
darkest. Then fix the
polarizing filter and eyepiece into that position. It is preferable to
have non-rotating eyepieces (locking eyepieces). If your eyepieces can
freely rotate within the body tube, then either tape them in place or
label the appropriate position with a marker.
·
Then do the opposite for the right
eyepiece and polarizing filter (i.e., obstruct light coming into the right side of the condenser and rotate the polarizing filter to
darken the right eye image).
·
If these filters are oriented incorrectly, the result may be either
a reversed sense of stereo or a lack stereo. If the stereo is reversed,
i.e., if the foreground appears to be in the background, then reverse the
procedure.
Operating
the 3D Condenser System
The
Edge 3D Condenser System replaces the traditional condenser lens on
optical microscopes. The
system may be fitted to upright microscopes that utilized transmitted
light. All this is required is the appropriate dovetail adapter to
retrofit to your existing microscope.
The Edge 3D Condenser System is
multifunctional and has 4 modes of operation: 1) conventional 2D imaging,
2) direct-view stereo 3D imaging, 3) oblique illumination, and 4) 3D
imaging by motion parallax.
Conventional
2D Imaging:
Turn
the turret counter-clockwise to engage the position for standard 2D
imaging. In this mode of operation, the condenser performs the same as a
conventional brightfield condenser lens. There is a small thumb wheel on
the right side of the turret housing. This adjusts the iris diaphragm in
the condenser lens. Use it as you would with a standard condenser.
Normally the iris is opened all the way, and then it is slowly closed
until the image darkens slightly. This is the usually the best setting.
The iris diaphragm setting changes when different objective lenses are
employed.
The
setting of the iris can dramatically alter the quality of the image.
Closing the iris increases contrast and depth of field but it also reduces
resolution. The correct setting should be found for the combination of
objective lens and specimen being observed. If the iris is too far open,
then the image can be hazy with flare and glare. If the iris is closed too
much then there will be a loss of resolution and the image will suffer.
Please
note that in order to obtain a quality image it is important to make sure
that the condenser lens is centered and focused for Kφhler illumination. Kφhler
illumination procedure: a) focus on specimen, b) close the field stop at
the base of the microscope, c) focus the condenser lens so that the image
of the iris in the field stop is sharp and the polygon shape is clearly
visible, d) center the image of the iris by adjusting the condenser
centering screws attached to the condenser holder, and then e) open the
field stop iris.
Direct-View
Stereo 3D Imaging:
Turn
the turret fully clockwise to engage the direct-view stereo 3D imaging
mode. This will employ the special polarizing filter set into the
illuminating beam. This special aperture creates two oblique views of the
specimen, a left-eye view and a right-eye view. The left-eye view will be
coded using polarized light at 90 degrees orientation with the right-eye
view. The two different views of the specimen can be obtained if
polarizing filters are installed in the eyepieces and properly oriented
(see Alignment).
If
the system is properly aligned the specimen will appear to be
3-dimensional. The foreground can be distinguished from the background.
The orientation of structures can be easily observed, and the relationship
of structures to one another in 3-dimensional space is accurately
perceived.
Make
sure that the left-eye and right-eye images are focused at the same depth
into the specimen. To achieve this, focus the microscope on a small detail
in the specimen. Then focus each eyepiece on the same small detail.
Oblique Illumination:
Place
the turret in the central position to engage the oblique aperture mask.
This will create oblique illumination, which increases the depth of field,
the contrast and the resolution of the image. Highlights and shadows are
emphasized.
The
direction of the apparent highlighting can be control by adjusting the
position of the oblique aperture mask. Pressing the N
button on the Control Box will create highlights on the top of structures
and shadows below. Pressing the S
button will have the opposite effect.
An
important feature of oblique illumination is that it creates angled views
of the specimen. Pressing the L
button on the Control Box creates a left-eye view of the specimen, while
pressing the R button creates a
right-eye view. The L and R buttons are used to take stereo-pair images (see Documentation
of 3D Images).
The angular size of the
sector-shaped oblique aperture mask can affect the apparent angle of view
of the image of the specimen. An oblique aperture mask that passes light
through a smaller sector-shaped opening will increase the angle of view or
parallax angle of the specimen, compared with an oblique aperture mask
that passes light through a larger sector opening. The smaller the opening
in the aperture mask the greater will be the contrast, depth of field and
parallax angle (3D depth). However, when the aperture is too small there
can also be a reduction in resolution. The effect of using different
aperture masks is very dependent on the particular specimen being examined.
Several
different size aperture masks are available and can be purchased from the
Edge 3D Imaging web site (www.edge-3D.com). Sector-shaped openings of 180,
120, 90 and 60 degrees are available. The individual aperture masks are
easily removed and replaced using a small jeweler screwdriver. There is an
access port on the top of the
condenser turret that allows access to the aperture mask. Unscrew the
window and turn the turret to expose the oblique aperture mask. Unscrew
the sector-shaped aperture mask and replace it with the desired size mask.
Then replace the cover over the aperture access port.
3D
imaging by motion parallax:
When
the turret is in the Oblique Illumination position (central position) the Motor button can be pressed in order to rotate the oblique aperture
mask. This creates a continuously changing angle of view and the image
appears to move in 3-dimesional space like a movie loop. The 3D image is
perceived by motion parallax cues. The speed of rotation can be increased
or decreased by pressing the Up
Arrow or the Down Arrow.
Pressing the Motor button again
will turn off the rotation.
The
Motor can be turned on and off
using a foot pedal. There is a foot pedal jack on the rear of the Control
Box. This can be useful if you are repeatedly turning the Motor on and
off, which is how the motor is intended to be used.
Documentation
of 3D Images
Documenting
images using the Edge 3D Condenser System is simple and convenient. You
may use film cameras, digital cameras or video cameras. You can use the
same equipment you normally use to document images through your
microscope. You can use the Edge 3D Condenser System to capture
conventional 2D images. And, there are two methods for capturing 3D
images; first and most popular, is the stereo-pair method that creates
separate left-eye and right-eye images on two photographs, and second, is
the Dynamic Aperture method that creates 3-dimensional perception through
motion parallax "movie loops".
Photography:
·
Looking at a specimen with a relaxed eye, focus the photo
eyepiece reticule.
·
Set the left and right eyepiece focus so that they are in focus
with the camera eyepiece (i.e., look at a small spot in the specimen and
ensure that all eyepieces are focused on the same spot)
Color Photography:
·
If you are using daylight balanced color film, then you will have
to insert an 80b filter (light blue) into the light path to increase the
color temperature of the illumination from 3200O K. to 5600O
K. If you are using tungsten balanced color film, such as Kodak 64T
Ektachrome, then no color correction filter is necessary.
·
When taking photos with color film, press the button on the Control
Box marked Photo. This will
automatically set the lamp intensity to 10. This will ensure that the
color temperature of the lamp is balanced to match the film.
Black
& White Photography:
·
For B&W film a green filter will improve contrast and sharpness
on the film.
·
When using B&W film, there is no need to press the Photo button on the Control Panel, because the color balance of the
light source is not an issue when using B&W film.
2D Photography:
·
Rotate the condenser turret counter-clockwise to engage the
conventional 2D mode.
·
Set the iris diaphragm for the best image.
·
Frame the field of view through the photo eyepiece port (The camera
can be rotated to frame the field of view as desired)
·
Then take the photo in the usual way. For most microscopes, move
the slider on the microscope head to send the light to the camera, and
then press the camera exposure button.
3D Stereo-Pair Photography:
·
Set the camera orientation for vertical or horizontal images,
relative to the optical axis of the microscopes (the vertical or portrait
format is preferred for stereo-pair images). Ensure that the camera
orientation is straight and square.
·
Rotate the condenser turret so that it is in it's central position.
This will engage the oblique illumination mode.
·
Frame the field of view in the photo eyepiece port, or in the
eyepiece reticule.
·
To take the stereo photographs, press the L
button on the Control Panel and then push the camera exposure button. This
will capture the left-eye image of the stereo-pair. Then press the R
button on the Control Panel and push the camera exposure button. This will
capture the right-eye image of the stereo-pair.
·
When viewing the stereo-pair photos after processing, make sure
they are viewed in the same orientation they were taken. If they were
taken as vertical images then they must be viewed as vertical images. If
they were taken in horizontal format, then they must be viewed that way or
the 3D will be lost. If the stereo does not look correct, then turn the
photos upside down or reverse their position in terms of viewing the left
and right-eye images.
Motion
Parallax "Movie Loops":
·
In order to make 3D motion parallax movie loops, you will need to
attach either a video camera or a digital camera that will capture
sequential images very rapidly (greater than 15 frames per second)
·
Rotate the condenser turret to its central position to engage the
oblique illumination mode.
·
Frame the desired field of view and focus the image onto the video
camera (or digital camera)
·
Press the button marked Motor
on the Control Box to create the motion parallax movie loop in the
microscope.
·
Press the Up Arrow or Down Arrow on the Control Box to select the desired speed of
rotation for the movie loop. If you are using a digital camera that
captures images more slowly than a video camera, then select the slowest
motor speed.
·
Begin recording the movie loop on the video camera (you may want to
start the scene with a still image of the specimen for comparison
purposes).
·
When you have finished recording the movie loop, press the button
marked Motor on the Control Box
to turn off the Dynamic Aperture.
Presentation
of 3D Images
There
are many ways to view and present stereo images. Here are the most popular methods.
For
Publication, Render Side by Side Stereo-Pair Images:
In
general, a vertical orientation is preferred for 3D presentation using the
side by the side stereo-pair method. Prints should be photographed and
presented in a vertical (portrait) orientation. They can be viewed through
an image-merging lunette or experienced observers can merge the images
without the aid of glasses. In order to successfully merge the images,
ensure that the distance between the left and right images is no greater
than 65mm center to center.
That is the average inter-ocular distance for adults. It is important to
make sure that corresponding features in the two images are aligned horizontally.
·
Wall-eyed viewing: This
is when the left eye views the left picture and the right eye views the
right picture. Generally, stereo-pairs shown in print publications are
arranged for wall-eyed viewing, unless otherwise stated. Cross-eyed
viewing of these images causes the 3D information to be reversed. A mound
becomes a pit and vice-versa.
1.
Hold the stereo-pair images at a comfortable viewing distance,
wearing your glasses if you normally wear them.
2.
The stereo-pair should be approximately in the center of your
visual field and evenly illuminated.
3.
Looking "through" the paper, look into the distance. Do
not converge your eyes, just relax and them drift apart as if you were
looking into the distance.
4.
A third image will appear between the left and right pictures, with
the separate 2D images still visible on either side.
5.
Allow your eye-brain complex to lock onto the middle image.
6.
Without converging the eyes, slowly focus on the third, center
image. A 3D picture will emerge.
·
Cross-eyed viewing: If
cross-eyed viewing is more comfortable, then the images need to be
switched. This is the standard arrangement for stereo-pair projection onto
a large screen, since it is impossible to relax the convergence at large
distances (most people's eyes will normally not diverge enough to fuse the
pictures into a stereo image). Cross-eyed viewing is also the preferred
method for fusing large stereo-pair photographs, i.e., greater than 65mm
across. That is because the average distance between the left and right
eyes is about 65mm, which is what limits to size of image that can be
accommodated.
1.
View the stereo-pair images from a straight-on point of view, with
the images left/right reversed (i.e., with the left image positioned on
the right side and the right image positioned on the left side).
2.
Hold your finger 4-5 inches in front of your nose, in the middle of
your field of view.
3.
Focus on your finger. In the distance, the two images become one
stereo image (the middle image), with the separate 2D images still visible
on either side.
4.
Slowly focus on the center image, the center image becomes sharp
and will appear in 3D.
Viewing
35mm Stereo-Pair Slides:
·
For private viewing or small groups of people, use 35mm
stereo-viewers. A complementary stereo viewer has been included with the
Edge 3D Condenser System.
·
For larger audiences, use stereo slide presentations. You will
require:
1.
Two identical slide projectors, with two identical lenses
2.
Two polarizing filters over the lenses, orientated at 90 degrees to
one another (each filter should be oriented 45 degree from normal)
3.
A silvered screen or lenticular screen (A normal white screen, or a
white wall, will not properly reflect polarized light and the stereo
effect will be lost.)
4.
Polarizing spectacles for the audience.
5.
Place the left-eye views in one projector and the right-eye views
in the other projector.
6.
Project the images on the same screen so that they overlap one
another. The vertical overlap must be fairly accurate, whereas there can
be quite a bit of play with regard to the horizontal overlap. This is
because it is fairly easy to converge and diverge our eyes, but it is
nearly impossible to have one eye looking up while the other eye is
looking down.
7.
Focus each projector individually.
8.
In order to properly orient the polarizing lenses on the
projectors, turn on only the projector with the left-eye images and
then, while wearing the polarizing spectacles, rotate the polarizing
filter covering the projection lens so that the image is dark in the right
eye. Then, turn on only the projector with the right-eye images and
rotate the polarizing filter covering the right-eye projection lens so
that the image is dark in the left eye. In other words, the left
photograph is blocked by the right-eye filter in the polarizing
spectacles, and vice versa for the right photograph.
9.
Turn on both projectors and you will see a dramatic 3D image. If
you are too far off to the side of the screen, you may loose the stereo
effect, so position yourselves as close to the middle of the screen as
possible.
3D
Video Systems and 3D Computer Systems:
There
are a number of emerging technologies that can interlace stereo-pair
images onto a computer or television monitor. The audience wears
lightweight polarizing glasses or liquid crystal shutter glasses to see
the 3D images. Please refer to the list of "Links" in the Edge
3D webpage: www.edge-3D.com
References
Greenberg G, Boyde A, novel
method for stereo imaging in light microscopy at high magnifications.
NeuroImage 1:121-128 (1993)
Greenberg G, Boyde A,
Direct-view 3-D microscopy using conventional Lenses. Microscopy
and Analysis 22:7-9 (1997)
Greenberg G, Boyde A,
Convenient and controllable direct-view 3D imaging in conventional light
microscopes: Approaches via illumination and inspection. Proceedings
Royal Microscopical Society 32/2:87-101 (1997)
