3D Basics
Section 2 - INTRODUCTION TO "QUASAR"
Motion Plate
- On the Quasar, this I/O is managed by the horizontal camera by way of a positive drive, manual or motor driven assembly called the "Motion Plate"
- The frame for Quasar's motion plate is machined from a single piece of xxxxx grade aluminum.
- As an integral skeletal element (supporting the whole upper assembly) as well as the complete drive assembly for the rig, this Motion plate presented the engineers with some formidable challenges
- Designed to work either underslung (as in the beamsplitter mode) or upright (as in the parallel mode) it is imperative that all movement in this plate is directly and purposely connected to the two drive screws. Due to the precision nature of 3-D photography and so that the rig can operate successfully in a wide range of shooting environments all extraneous motion had to be eliminated while keeping the intended movement smooth and fluid
- In the case of the beamsplitter set-up the Horizontal camera would be top mounted and hung from the inverted Motion Plate
- The Dovetail is connected to the Motion Plate via two 3/8th" drive bolts
- This connection of the dovetail is semi-permanent as a precise amount of torque is applied to ensure the correct resistance is placed on the teflon pads which help to stabilize the plate
- Driving the dovetail is done by two parallel drive screws which can be either manually or motor driven
- When the screws are turned at the same rate the Dovetail will move laterally and parallel relative to the fixed camera
- When the screws are turned singularly or at a differing rate then a factor know as "Vergence" is introduced (the other prime ingredient in depth perception)
- For 3-D imaging we need an element known as Convergence that is by definition "the degree or point at which lines, objects, or concepts come together so as to form a single product".
- For our purpose, Convergence can only occur by toeing in one of the cameras to a intentionally determined intersection point and on Quasar this is done in the motion plate
****** Diagram to Illustrate *****
- In order to manage both I/O and convergence it is necessary to have a starting point in which both cameras are perfectly aligned. From this point creative decisions can be made in a measured and repeatable way.
- Perfect alignment is much easier to say then it is to achieve, though Quasar has built in adjustments that make it relatively simple to dial in this alignment and to check alignment mid work stream
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