Polaroid PDC 3000 User Manual

Polaroid Digital Camera

PDC-3000

User’s Guide for PowerMac/PowerPC or

Windows applications

“Polaroid”, “PDC” and “IQA” are trademarks of Polaroid Corporation, Cambridge, MA,

U.S.A. All other product names may be the trademarks of their respective owners.

The embedded PDC-3000 compression software is based in part on the work of the Independent

JPEG Group. The embedded PDC-3000 file management software is based in part on SanDisk

7/25/97

Quick startup 9

1 Introduction 12

Typical PDC-3000 workflow 13 System requirements 14

PowerMac or PowerPC systems 15

PC systems 15 Technical assistance 16 Using this manual 17

2 Setting up 19

Unpacking 19 Optional accessories 21 Setting up the PDC-3000 camera 23

Attaching the camera straps 23

Setting the SCSI ID 24

Installing and charging the batteries 27

Connecting the camera to your PowerMac or PowerPC 32

If the PDC-3000 is the only SCSI device 34

If your PowerMac or PowerPC has other SCSI devices 35

Connecting to an Apple PowerBook 36 Installing PDC software on your PowerMac/PowerPC 38 Verifying camera internal settings from your

PowerMac/PowerPC 42 Connecting the camera to your PC 43

If the PDC-3000 is the only SCSI device 45

If your PC has other SCSI devices 46 Installing the PDC software on your PC 48 Verifying camera internal settings from your PC 52 Disconnecting the camera from your computer 53

3 Using the PDC-3000 camera 56

Getting acquainted 58

LCD panel 63

Viewfinder indicators 67

Sound indicators 68

Camera modes 70

Automatic shutoff 71

Taking pictures 72

Inserting a CompactFlash card 72

Removing the CompactFlash card 73

Turning on the camera 74

Setting to stand-alone mode 75

Selecting a picture compression level 76

Selecting Capture mode 80

Setting the camera for current lighting conditions 81

Holding the camera 82

Framing and taking the picture 82

If you see a viewfinder warning 84

Using flash 86

Using Auto Focus 88

Using Focus Lock 89

Compensating for back lighting 90 Labeling pictures 92

Editing the default picture label 93

Editing a single picture label 97 Erasing pictures 99

Erasing a single picture 100

Erasing all pictures 104 Turning sound indicators on and off 106 Choosing LCD panel display options 108

Choosing a distance display mode 108

Choosing the Capture mode display 109

4 Using the PDC-3000 with your PowerMac/PowerPC113

The PDC windows 114

Transfer Pictures window 115

Take Pictures window 116

Set Preferences window 118 Working with pictures in the camera 120

Viewing pictures in the camera 120

Selecting thumbnails 123

Previewing pictures 124

Viewing picture information 126

Rotating pictures 126

Editing a picture label 127

Transferring pictures to your computer one at a time 128

Transferring multiple pictures to your computer 131

Choosing IQA processing options 135

Choosing a file format 139

Deleting pictures from the camera 141 Working with PDN pictures saved on your computer 142

Opening a folder 143

Working with pictures on a CompactFlash card 145 Operating the camera from the PowerMac/PowerPC 146 Changing operating preferences 150

Available options 150

Changing the preferences 153

Releasing the camera from computer control 157

Releasing the camera 157

Restoring computer control 158

5 Using the PDC-3000 with your PC 159

The PDC window 160

Take Pictures tab 161

Transfer Pictures tab 162

Set Preferences tab 164 Working with pictures in the camera 166

Viewing pictures in the camera 166

Selecting thumbnails 169

Previewing pictures 170

Viewing picture information 172

Rotating pictures 173

Editing a picture label 173

Transferring pictures to your computer one at a time 174

Transferring multiple pictures to your computer 177

Choosing IQA processing options 181

Choosing a file format 186

Deleting pictures from the camera 188 Working with PDN pictures saved on your computer 189

Opening a folder 189

Working with pictures on a CompactFlash card 191

Operating the camera from the PC 192 Changing operating preferences 198

Available options 198

Changing the preferences 201 Releasing the camera from computer control 205

Releasing the camera 205

Restoring computer control 206

6 Maintenance and troubleshooting 208

Caring for the PDC-3000 camera 208 Caring for the camera batteries 209

Recommended battery types 210

Charging the batteries in the camera 211

Charging the batteries outside the camera 213

Replacing the camera batteries 218 Caring for CompactFlash cards 219

Purchasing additional CompactFlash cards 219

Initializing CompactFlash cards 219 Troubleshooting error messages 223 Troubleshooting SCSI connection problems 228

PowerMac/PowerPC SCSI ID conflicts 228

Windows 95 SCSI ID registry entries 228

PDC-3000 full one-year warranty 229 Service 230 Radio and television interference 231

PDC-3000 camera specifications 234

Required printer settings for IQA 237

Canon BJC-4100 Printer 238 Epson Stylus Color II Printer 239 HP 680/682 Printer 242 HP 820/850/855/870 Printer 244

Software license agreement 246

Polaroid Offices and Service Centers 251

Quick startup

For more information, see the page indicated.

Setting up

Page

(PowerMac or

PowerPC)

19 19 1 Unpack the PDC-3000 camera.

24 24 2 Set the camera’s SCSI ID.

27 27 3 Install and charge the camera batteries.

32 43 4 Connect the camera to your computer.

38 48 5 Install the PDC software on your

150 198 6 Set the camera internal settings (date,

Page

(PC/Windows) Steps

computer.

time, user name, etc.).

Taking pictures

Page

(PowerMac or

PowerPC)

53 53 1 Disconnect the PDC-3000 camera

72 72 2 Insert a CompactFlash card.

74 74 3 Turn on the camera.

81 81 4 Set the camera for the current lighting

82 82 5 Frame and take a picture.

92 92 6 Label your pictures (optional).

Page

(PC/Windows) Steps

from the computer.

conditions (daylight, incandescent or fluorescent).

Viewing and transferring the pictures in the camera

Page

(PowerMac or

PowerPC)

Page

(PC/Windows) Steps

32 43 1 Connect the camera to the computer.

120 166 2 View thumbnails (small

representations) of the pictures stored in the camera.

127 173 3 Select and transfer the pictures to the

computer.

141 188 4 Delete the pictures from the camera.

1 Introduction

The Polaroid PDC-3000 Digital Camera captures highquality color pictures electronically, using a unique, millionpixel CCD (charge coupled device). PDC-3000 pictures contain up to 16.7 million colors and can be saved as high resolution (600x800 pixels) or super-high resolution (1200x1600 pixels) pictures.

The PDC-3000 has all the features of an automatic compact 35mm camera, including automatic exposure, electronic flash and automatic focus. These features produce correct exposure, accurate colors and sharp focus under a great variety of picture-taking conditions. Manual overrides are also provided for unusual conditions.

In its highest quality picture-taking mode, the PDC-3000 camera stores up to 30 pictures on a removeable, matchbooksize, 15-megabyte CompactFlash card. Using the camera’s 10:1 image compression mode, you can store up to 150 pictures on a 15-megabyte card. Additional CompactFlash cards are available in various capacities, and can be purchased separately to provide more storage.

Introduction 12

Using the PowerMac/PowerPC or Microsoft Windows software provided with the camera, you can view the pictures taken with the PDC-3000 camera, optimize them for a selected monitor or printer, and transfer them to the computer. You can then use an image-processing application to edit, save and print the pictures.

When the camera is connected to your computer, you can control the camera and take pictures via the computer keyboard and mouse. This is useful when the camera is used in a stationary setup.

Typical PDC-3000 workflow

To help you understand the full capabilities of the PDC-3000 camera, a typical workflow sequence is presented below. After you become familiar with PDC-3000 features, you can use the camera in other ways to best suit your imaging needs.

1 Take pictures with the camera (Chapter 3).

2 Connect the camera to your computer (Chapter 2).

3 Use your computer to view the pictures stored on the camera

CompactFlash card (Chapter 4 for PowerMac or PowerPC, Chapter 5 for PCs).

Introduction 13

4 Select the pictures you want to keep and transfer them to the

computer (Chapter 4 or 5).

5 Edit or enhance any of the pictures using an image-processing

application such as Adobe Photoshop. (See instructions with the application.)

6 Print the picture or use it in another application, such as a

desktop publishing application. (See instructions with the application.)

As an alternative sequence for studio or other stationary setups, you can leave the PDC-3000 camera permanently attached to the computer. With the camera connected to the computer, you can operate the camera controls and take pictures using the computer’s display, keyboard or mouse.

System requirements

Using the PDC software to view and manipulate pictures taken with the PDC-3000 camera requires the following hardware and software. If you do not have the required configuration, contact your Polaroid dealer.

Introduction 14

PowerMac or PowerPC systems

· A PowerMac or PowerPC family computer or compatible with a PowerPC processor and 24 megabytes (MB) of RAM. (32 MB is recommended.)

· Apple system software version 7.5 or later.

· An image-processing application, such as Adobe Photoshop,

compatible with Adobe Photoshop plug-in modules, is recommended for working with PDC-3000 pictures. If you do not have such an application, you can use PDC Direct (provided and installed as part of the PDC software) to optimize and transfer pictures from the camera and to control the camera from the computer.

PC systems

· An IBM PC or compatible, with at least a 66 MHz Pentiumclass processor and 24 megabytes (MB) of RAM (32 MB recommended).

· Microsoft Windows 95 or Windows NT.

· An ASPI-compliant SCSI adapter and the appropriate

Windows 95 or Windows NT drivers.

· A video adapter and monitor capable of displaying 24-bit color (16.7 million colors) is recommended for optimal display of PDC-3000 pictures. (PDC software can be used with adapters and monitors capable of displaying fewer

Introduction 15

· A TWAIN-compliant image-processing application, such as

Technical assistance

colors, but the quality of pictures displayed on the monitor may not be satisfactory.)

Adobe Photoshop, is recommended for working with PDC3000 pictures. If you do not have such an application, you can use PDC Direct (provided and installed as part of the PDC software) to optimize and transfer pictures from the camera and to control the camera from the computer.

From within the U.S.A., call Polaroid toll-free at 1-800-432- 5355, Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 8 p.m.(Eastern time). Polaroid offers a variety of Customer Support Services; call for details and applicable fees. You can also write to Polaroid Electronic Imaging Technical Support, 565 Technology Square 3B, Cambridge, MA 02139.

In Canada, call toll-free at 1-800-268-6970. Outside the U.S.A. and Canada, please contact the Polaroid office nearest you. See Polaroid Offices and Service Centers on page 251.

Technical support is also available over the Internet. Connect to the Polaroid World Wide Web site at http://www.polaroid.com.

Introduction 16

Using this manual

This book explains how to set up and use your Polaroid PDC-3000 camera. It also includes the procedures for installing the PDC software on your PowerMac or PowerPC computer or PC, and for taking, viewing and saving pictures taken with the PDC-3000 camera. To use these instructions, you should be familiar with the operation of your PowerMac/PowerPC computer or PC with the Microsoft Windows 95 operating system.

Here’s what you’ll find inside:

Quick startup: Summarizes instructions for setting up the PDC-3000 camera and software, and for taking pictures and transferring them to the computer.

1 Introduction: Briefly describes the PDC-3000 camera, lists system requirements and explains how to obtain technical assistance.

2 Setting up: Explains how to install the camera batteries, install the PDC software on your PowerMac/PowerPC computer or PC, and connect the PDC-3000 camera to your computer.

Introduction 17

3 Using the PDC-3000 camera: Explains the PDC-3000 camera controls, and provides instructions for taking and labeling pictures.

4 Using the PDC-3000 with your PowerMac/PowerPC: Tells you how to use your PowerMac or PowerPC computer to view pictures taken with the PDC-3000 camera, how to optimize and transfer them from the camera to your PowerMac or PowerPC, and how to operate the camera from your computer.

5 Using the PDC-3000 with your PC: Tells you how to use your IBM-compatible computer and Windows to view pictures taken with the PDC-3000 camera, how to optimize and transfer them from the camera to your PC, and how to operate the camera from your PC.

6 Maintenance and troubleshooting: Contains battery and CompactFlash card information, solutions to problems that might occur, and warranty and service information.

Appendixes: Contain camera specifications, required printer settings for using the IQA image enhancement features, software license agreements and Polaroid locations worldwide.

Introduction 18

Unpacking

2 Setting up

Listed below are the components in the PDC-3000 camera package. If any is missing, contact your dealer immediately.

abc

defh

Setting up 19

01c.CDR

a PDC-3000 camera with 38mm-equivalent lens b Hand strap c Shoulder strap d Power adapter/trickle charger: Recharges the NiCad batteries

in the camera and provides power for the camera while the batteries are charging.

e Camera batteries: Four “AA” NiCad rechargeable batteries. f SCSI cable (2 meter) and DB25/50 pin Centronics adapter:

Connect the PDC-3000 camera to a PowerMac/PowerPC computer or PC SCSI port.

g Removeable CompactFlash card: Stores the pictures taken by

the camera. Addional cards can be purchased for increasing storage capacity.

h Software diskettes (or CD-ROM): PDC Plug-in software for

PowerMac/PowerPC and Windows, TWAIN driver (for Windows 95 and Windows NT only) and Polaroid PDC Direct camera utility software for PowerMac/PowerPC and Windows.

Note: Please be sure to fill out and return the registration card packed with the PDC-3000 camera. As a registered owner, you will be among the first to receive information about PDC software updates and the availability of new PDC-3000 products.

Setting up 20

WARNING: NOTHING INSIDE THE PDC-3000 CAMERA EXCEPT THE BATTERIES IS USER-SERVICEABLE. TO AVOID THE POSSIBILITY OF DAMAGING THE CAMERA OR VOIDING THE WARRANTY, DO NOT DISASSEMBLE THE CAMERA.

Optional accessories

You may have also purchased one or more of the following optional accessories for the PDC-3000 camera. (Any necessary instructions are packaged with each accessory.)

60mm-equivalent lens: Interchangeable lens for enlarging more distant subjects.

SCSI host adapter: Adapter board for adding a SCSI port to IBM-compatible computers (PCs) for communicating with the PDC-3000 camera and other SCSI devices.

SlimSCSI adapter kit: Adapter, 1-meter cable and software for connecting the PDC-3000 camera to the PCMCIA slot of a PC notebook computer.

CompactFlash card reader kit: Hardware and software for transferring pictures from a CompactFlash card directly to a computer without using the PDC-3000 camera.

Setting up 21

110-volt 5-hour battery charger: Fully charges the PDC-3000 NiCad batteries in 5 hours from AC power.

3-amp power supply: Allows operation of the PDC-3000 camera from AC power with the NiCad batteries removed.

12-volt auto adapter and recharger: Recharges the batteries in the camera and provides power for the camera from an automotive lighter socket.

Studio kit: Camera accessories and software for using the PDC-3000 in a studio setting and manually controlling effective film speed, aperture, shutter speed and focus.

1-meter SCSI cable: Maximum recommended length cable for connecting the PDC-3000 camera to Apple PowerBook computers. (The 2-meter cable provided with the PDC-3000 is not recommended for use with PowerBook computers.)

Carrying case: Soft case with shoulder strap for the PDC3000 camera and accessories.

Setting up 22

Setting up the PDC-3000 camera

Attaching the camera straps

A hand strap and a shoulder strap are provided with the PDC-3000 camera. To help prevent damage to the camera and to make camera handling easier, attach one or the other. (You cannot attach both at the same time.)

To attach a strap, connect the ends of the strap to the eyelets on the front and the back of the camera. Slide the plastic sleeve on each hook toward the eyelet until it snaps to lock the strap securely.

STRAP2.CDR

Setting up 23

Setting the SCSI ID

The PDC-3000 camera is a Small Computer Systems Interface (SCSI) device. You can connect up to seven SCSI devices to your computer, one to another in a SCSI chain.

Note: If you are connecting the PDC-3000 camera to an IBM PC or compatible computer, the computer must have an ASPI-compliant SCSI adapter. (See System requirements on page 14.)

The PDC-3000 camera’s SCSI ID is preset to 4 at the factory. You do not need to change this number unless another SCSI device in the chain is already using it. To determine whether 4 is already being used, check the user guides of the other devices or run a SCSI utility program.

WARNING: EACH SCSI DEVICE CONNECTED TO YOUR COMPUTER MUST HAVE ITS OWN UNIQUE ID NUMBER SO YOUR COMPUTER CAN DISTINGUISH IT FROM OTHER ATTACHED SCSI DEVICES. USING TWO OR MORE DEVICES WITH THE SAME ID NUMBER CAN CAUSE THEM TO MALFUNCTION. YOU CAN LOSE DATA AS A RESULT.

If the PDC-3000 is your only external SCSI device or no other device in the chain is using ID 4, skip the rest of this section and go on to Installing and charging the batteries on page 27. If you must change the camera’s SCSI ID, use the following steps:

Setting up 24

1 Make sure the camera power is off and the camera is

disconnected from the computer. If the camera is on, turn it off by pressing the power button (a).

08b.CDR

Setting up 25

2 Open the connector cover and locate the SCSI ID selector.

03.CDR

3 Insert a small screwdriver into the slot and rotate the selector

until the arrow points to the desired SCSI ID.

Note: Do not use 7 or 0, which are customarily reserved for the computer and for PowerMac/PowerPC hard drives. If possible, you should also avoid SCSI ID 3, which is often used for internal CD-ROM drives.

4 Close the connector cover.

Setting up 26

Installing and charging the batteries

The four NiCad “AA” rechargeable batteries packaged with the PDC-3000 camera are shipped uncharged. To use the camera, you must install the batteries and charge them as described below.

1 Press the latch on the side of the battery holder, unlatch the

holder and remove it from the camera.

04.CDR

Setting up 27

2 Unwrap and install the four “AA” NiCad batteries provided,

observing the battery orientation label in the battery holder. (Install the two outside batteries first, then install the two inside batteries.)

05.CDR

Setting up 28

WARNING: USE ONLY THE BATTERIES PROVIDED OR THE “AA” NICAD RECHARGEABLE BATTERY TYPES RECOMMENDED ON PAGE 210. OTHER TYPES, SUCH AS ALKALINE OR LITHIUM “AA” BATTERIES, WILL NOT OPERATE THE CAMERA, AND MAY CAUSE INJURY OR DAMAGE THE CAMERA IF YOU ATTEMPT TO CHARGE THEM AS DESCRIBED BELOW.

3 Engage the battery holder and close it, making sure it latches.

06.CDR

Setting up 29

4 Open the connector cover and connect the power

adapter/trickle charger to the camera and to AC power.

Important: Do not operate the camera until the batteries have charged for about 6 hours. After this 6-hour period, you can use the camera while the batteries continue to charge.

Note: The camera is not operable without the batteries, even if the power adapter/trickle charger is connected.

07.CDR

Setting up 30

+ 222 hidden pages

Polaroid PDC 3000 User Manual

Table of Contents

Quick startup

Setting up

Taking pictures

Viewing and transferring the pictures in the camera

1 Introduction

Typical PDC-3000 workflow

System requirements

Technical assistance

Using this manual

2 Setting up

Optional accessories

Setting up the PDC-3000 camera