DimensionTwo

The following is a Sales Bulletin from Vision Engineering:

Annotation and precision measurement software with camera control.

Vision Engineering is very pleased to introduce DimensionTwo; a unique, easy to use software package with advanced tools for annotation and measurement. DimensionTwo speeds accurate inspection and measurement and increases consistency between different users.

Measurements, annotations and mark-ups can be enhanced relative to the subject image.

DimensionTwo is for users who need to inspect and measure quickly and efficiently; who want to minimise errors of measurement but do not need the full (certified) accuracy of a metrology system. DimensionTwo allows operators to capture, annotate and share their findings with colleagues, suppliers and customers, providing the flexibility of a camera-based inspection system with the confidence of accurate measurement – and all with the minimum of fuss.

Designed to perfectly complement Vision Engineering inspection systems, DimensionTwo delivers benefits to users of EVO Cam II, Lynx EVO, Mantis Elite, DRV-Z1 and the SX Elite microscopes. When combined with the immensely popular EVO Cam II, the benefits of DimensionTwo are further extended; new finely tuned camera controls and measurement functions include control of camera settings, lighting and zoom settings, and pre-set calibrations for a range of factory configured magnification settings.

Key Highlights:

• Easy to use image capture, annotation, measurement and sharing software
• Active crosshair option for rapid edge detection simplifies measurement tasks, increases consistency between users and increases
• Save and recall calibrations for accurate measurement
• Field of View (FOV) Corrects for distortion in the FOV, increasing measurement accuracy
• Paracentricity correction ensures the centre point of the image remains unchanged as magnification is increased, for rapid tracking of features across low and high
• Edge bias Corrects for edge effects in the measurement of different types of subjects to further increase measurement accuracy.

Additional highlights with EVO Cam II: 

• Direct control of camera settings simplifies operation
• Control of camera zoom either by user-defined settings or by one of 70 pre-set zoom positions simplifies inspection and measurement settings
• Each pre-set zoom holds a factory-set FOV calibration enabling accurate measurement without the need for user calibration
• Users can also perform their own calibrations at their own magnification settings (including FOV calibration). Calibration cards and a calibration grid are included for this purpose.
• Field of view measurements up to 339mm. 

Key features:

• Video edge detection – to automatically find the best point of the edge to take a measurement. The special algorithm detects the point of steepest contrast so best defining the edge and aiding with accuracy and repeatability of measurements.

• Field of view calibration – corrects for minor distortion within the field of view increasing the accuracy. Unlike other systems, FOV calibration corrects for non-linear distortions in discrete areas of the field of view and presenting this in viewed images.

• Linking of positions at different zoom levels – to allow locations of details to be identified at one magnification level and then detailed inspection of a specific area of interest at a different magnification.

• Edge bias correction – accounts for the edge effects of different types of parts to increase the accuracy of measurement by reducing uncorrected errors.

• Annotation – easy fast mark-up of images of parts for reports and email. Features: Box, Circle, Text, Arrow.

• Definition and measurement of features – to define circles, lines and points on a subject. Ability to measure the dimensions of these features and how they relate to each other. Features: Circle – Diameter, radius, circumference, position.  Line – Length, relative angle, position. Point – Position. Measure: Nearest point separation, Centre to centre separation, Farthest point separation.

• Display of features – Ability to optimise the display of annotation and measurement
  • Colours selection to optimise contrast against a background or categorise
  • Positions of labels can be changed to ensure preferred alignment
  • Adjust transparency of image and annotations to emphasise the required

• Camera controls – Control of specific camera
  • Zoom position: sets the zoom to specific magnifications for each lens. Using specific magnifications helps increase the accuracy of the system as settings are customised for each specific zoom 10 zoom positions (magnifications) are preset for each lens.
  • Users can add calibrated zoom and magnification positions if required
  • Lighting level: control of integrated ring-light, external ring-light and sub-stage light
  • Focus mode: switch between AF/MF
  • Exposure mode: switch between AE/ME
  • Crosshair: turn on and off and change colour and length

Other features

• Touch screen or mouse control
• Supplied with factory-set calibration (further details below)
• Magnification, calibration and other settings can be adjusted by the user if
• Easy change of settings through the dropdown menu

Screengrabs showing the top right of the DimensionTwo screen: (left) the drop-down menu of groups, one for each EVO Cam II objective, and (right) the drop-down menu of files within a group; each is a pre-set zoom lens position.

Technical Details:

• DimensionTwo release version number is 1.20.00
• Minimum PC computer requirements are Intel Core i5, with a CPU clock of 5 GHz and 8GB Ram. A touchscreen PC can also be used
• Requires the supplied USB Licence key for the software to run and capture images and measurements
• EVO Cam II firmware Rev:1.0.0.40:02.00.9:01.06 or higher is required
• Pre-set magnifications include ten zoom settings for each of seven EVO Cam II objectives. At each setting the factory set FOV calibration is pre-installed and the software is ready for measurement

* Approximate magnifications for a 24” Monitor using the DimensionTwo 1:1 displayed screen magnification setting

Please note: the software package is supplied with the general calibrations file for the user’s convenience and does not represent the optimum calibration for any camera lens combination. Fine-tuning of the software to the specific camera-lens combination is recommended for the best measurement accuracy and should ideally be performed by a Vision Engineering recognised engineer.

Kit contents and accessories:

• USB stick (containing the software, comprehensive User Guide and preset magnification calibration files)
• USB Licence key
• Calibration card (below left)
• FOV calibration card (below right)

Compatibility: Suitable for use with EVO Cam, EVO Cam II, Mantis Elite HD and Lynx EVO with eitherSmartCam or SmartCam5. Additional features when used with EVO Cam II.

Comparison to other Vision Engineering software

Measurement accuracy

No specific claims will be made on the measurement accuracy of DimensionTwo. While efforts have been made to increase the accuracy of the system with the introduction of distortion correction through FOVcalibration, the inclusion of edge bias and other factors, the final accuracy of the system will vary with magnification and the specific camera and lens combination is used. On-site calibration to the specific camera and lens combination is recommended for the best measurement accuracy and should ideally be performed by a Vision Engineering recognised engineer. Systems configured as above are likely to give higher accuracy than the supplied preset calibration files. Note that both demonstrators and users can easily use the supplied calibration card to directly determine the measurement accuracy under the conditions of interest. 

Demonstrating DimensionTwo

A simple demonstration video of DimensionTwo:

If you would like a demonstration please use our “Request a Demo” page and we would be pleased to help. Or alternatively via email sales@vtech-smt.co.uk