[AaronNewcomer]

So I do a lot of macro photography, have multiple macro lenses and am familiar with focus stacking/bracketing and have considered buying more professional 2d automated focusing rails (like StackShot) but have just never took the plunge.

So when I saw this heading I was instantly intrigued and went in with the idea that there was a very high likelihood I was going to back this.

However I left without backing it as I am completely unsure of what this is. It looks like it is 3 completely separate products. One maybe uses my own camera, but only if I can connect it to a Windows computer as a webcam? The others have their own camera? One is 2d or maybe 3d. One is 4d. 5d?

What software do I need? Zerene Stacker? Did you make a new software?

I am so lost to what exactly I would be getting and what would be the best option for my use-case; which is not paper, coins or bugs. What kind of image is the result? You show some 3D images but it looks like only a top down shot on 2 of the 3 products.

It’s just all very confusing and wish I was excited after watching both videos and reading everything as I was going into it.

[ahronwayne]

Hey, I am really glad that you brought this all out into the open. Yes, not everything has been explained the best. I'll probably make another update onto the FAQ, but to answer your questions:

It is 3 separate products. All include everything you need (stage and camera) to do scanning in the same fundamental way I've been doing it --- with motors, a computer, and a USB microscope. The Classic and Beefy both have the camera and sample move, with the classic being smaller and more 3D printed possibly and the Beefy having more range, a better camera, and a fifth axis.

The Platform is the odd one out; it is experimental with all motors on one "block", so that only the small sample moves. The idea is then you can just plop it down wherever you were taking pictures and aim your macro camera at it. The need to use a windows computer is me going overboard with the requirements --- it's what would work if you were going to do it exactly as I'm doing now.

In reality, it's a motorized stage. It moves how you program it. The challenge is getting your camera to move in sync, but basic triggering could be hacked in any setup, even if you couldn't take advantage of image processing/decision making in real time.

Made some software. Big amounts for setting up and actually running different kinds of scans. Some for stacking, sorting through pics, and active machine vision, like following around insects. Some existing software is still used, like microsoft ICE for stitching, and helicon focus or picolay for stacking. Free options for everything.

I hope this helped explain some things! And I sincerely hope that I can figure out how to explain it better from the get-go next time. Seriously, this is my first time doing this, and I am learning a LOT. Take care, and thanks!