Polaroid PDC 3000 User manual

Polaroid Digital Camera
PDC-3000
User’s Guide for PowerMac/PowerPC or
Windows applications
© Copyright Polaroid Corporation 1997.
All rights reserved.
“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
Host Developer’s Tool Kit Ver. 1.1 © Copyright 1996 SanDisk Corp.
7/25/97

2
Table of Contents
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

3
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

4
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

5
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

6
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

7
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

8
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

9
Quick startup
For more information, see the page indicated.
Setting up
Page
(PowerMac or
PowerPC)
Page
(PC/Windows) Steps
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
computer.
150 198 6 Set the camera internal settings (date,
time, user name, etc.).

10
Taking pictures
Page
(PowerMac or
PowerPC)
Page
(PC/Windows) Steps
53 53 1 Disconnect the PDC-3000 camera
from the computer.
72 72 2 Insert a CompactFlash card.
74 74 3 Turn on the camera.
81 81 4 Set the camera for the current lighting
conditions (daylight, incandescent or
fluorescent).
82 82 5 Frame and take a picture.
92 92 6 Label your pictures (optional).

11
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.

Introduction 12
1 Introduction
The Polaroid PDC-3000 Digital Camera captures high-
quality color pictures electronically, using a unique, million-
pixel 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, matchbook-
size, 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 13
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.
1Take pictures with the camera (Chapter 3).
2Connect the camera to your computer (Chapter 2).
3Use your computer to view the pictures stored on the camera
CompactFlash card (Chapter 4 for PowerMac or PowerPC,
Chapter 5 for PCs).

Introduction 14
4Select the pictures you want to keep and transfer them to the
computer (Chapter 4 or 5).
5Edit or enhance any of the pictures using an image-processing
application such as Adobe Photoshop. (See instructions with
the application.)
6Print 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 15
· 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.
· An IBM PC or compatible, with at least a 66 MHz Pentium-
class 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
PowerMac or PowerPC
systems
PC systems

Introduction 16
colors, but the quality of pictures displayed on the monitor
may not be satisfactory.)
· A TWAIN-compliant image-processing application, such as
Adobe Photoshop, 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.
Technical assistance
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 17
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 18
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.

Setting up 19
2 Setting up
Unpacking
Listed below are the components in the PDC-3000 camera
package. If any is missing, contact your dealer immediately.
g
defh
abc
01c.CDR

Setting up 20
aPDC-3000 camera with 38mm-equivalent lens
bHand strap
cShoulder strap
dPower adapter/trickle charger: Recharges the NiCad batteries
in the camera and provides power for the camera while the
batteries are charging.
eCamera batteries: Four “AA” NiCad rechargeable batteries.
fSCSI cable (2 meter) and DB25/50 pin Centronics adapter:
Connect the PDC-3000 camera to a PowerMac/PowerPC
computer or PC SCSI port.
gRemoveable CompactFlash card: Stores the pictures taken by
the camera. Addional cards can be purchased for increasing
storage capacity.
hSoftware 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.