Stereoscopic microscopes employ dual eyepieces with two objectives that generate multiple light paths to the user. The different light paths provide the operator with two different viewpoints of the object directed toward each eye. The brain multiplexes the left and right eye viewpoints generating a three dimensional representation of the specimen providing depth cues about the spatial orientation of the object. We have implemented a system to display pseudo real-time high definition stereoscopic microscope images to multiple viewers using relatively inexpensive hardware, and custom written software. The system provides clear high resolution 3d images suitable for many different types of specimens and is useful in a teaching or demonstration environment. The stereo imaging system consists of a stereo microscope, dual video capture system, desktop PC, large stereoscopic display and accompanying hardware that captures images at 1600x1080 at 5 FPS. Software is available for download that should support any webcam and includes most of the common stereoscopic formats (interlaced, active, passive, anaglyph, and DLP 3d).
Hardware components:
The cameras are attached to the stereoscope with machined sleeve adapters:
SYSTEM REQUIREMENTS:
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Windows 2000, XP or Vista (it should work in Linux under WINE )
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Intel Pentium 4, 1.5 GHz, or AMD Athlon (lower machines can be used but the capture resolution will be limited)
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3D Graphics Card with drivers supporting openGL
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2 working webcams that allow multiple instances under the operating system (such as Logitech Quickcam 9000's)
SCREENSHOTS:
To view the stereo screenshots use the cross-eyed method: stare at the point between the two images and slowly cross your eyes until the two images merge into a center image (with an extra image on either side).
DOWNLOAD
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