Sphere2 software guide for Aver U50 document cameras

Sphere2 is the software utilized by AVer U50 document cameras. This guide will assist users both open and operate the software with their document cameras.

Opening Sphere2

  • Double-click on the Sphere2 shortcut on your desktop.
    OR

  • Search for Sphere2 and run the application from the menu.

Setting Up Sphere2

  1. Your document camera should be plugged into an available USB port on your computer.

  2. Upon opening Sphere2, the software will connect to your camera:

  3. This process should only last 5-10 seconds. If it hangs on a "Visualizer is Not Connected!" screen, reconnect your camera. If the issue persists, restart the program or try another USB port for your camera. Ensure the cable connecting the camera to the USB port is fully connected on both ends.

  4. Once connected to the camera, items can be moved and placed under the lens:

Using Sphere2

The Camera

The document camera itself can be maneuvered in many different ways to suit the user's needs. There are three buttons on the camera head itself which function as follows:

  • Capture - The camera takes a screenshot of the current object placed below it.

  • LED - An LED light is installed on the camera which can be turned on and off as needed.

  • AF - The camera will automatically focus on the current object/document.

The Software

Sphere2 comes with a variety of options to enhance your instructional capabilities, all of which can found at the bottom of the screen:

Camera Controls

From left to right:

  1. Pause - Freezes the camera view.

  2. Auto Focus - Automatically focuses in on the current object under the lens.

  3. Auto Adjust - Automatically adjust the image's contrast, color, etc.

  4. Zoom In - Zooms the camera view in on the current object.

  5. Zoom Out - Zooms the camera view out on the current object.

  6. Zoom Reset - Resets the Zoom setting to default.

  7. Rotate Right - Rotates the camera view clockwise.

  8. Rotate Left - Rotates the camera view counter-clockwise.

  9. Image Adjustment - Alter various aspects of the image, such as contrast, brightness, etc.

Annotation

From left to right:

  1. Select - Changes the cursor to the default select arrow.

  2. Freehand - Allows the user to draw on the picture.

  3. Highlighter - Allows the user to highlight the image.

  4. Line - Allows the user to create straight lines on the image.

  5. Text - Allows the user to input text boxes on the image.

  6. Shape - Allows the user to select and input shapes on the image.

  7. Eraser - Allows the user to erase any custom lines, text, drawing, etc.

  8. Clear all - Clears every custom line, highlight, etc. currently on the image.

  9. Colors - Changes the color of the current tool selection.

  10. Line Style - Changes the type of line to draw with.

  11. Undo - Removes the most recent change to the picture.

  12. Redo - Restores the last removed change to the picture.

When you use the Freehand tool, the marker will remain until removed:

Recording

From left to right:

  1. Record - Begin recording your screen.

  2. Pause - Pauses any ongoing recording.

  3. Audio - Enables or disables the capture of audio.

  4. Slow Motion - Enables the slow motion feature of recording.

Image Capture

From left to right:

  1. Capture - Takes a screenshot of the current image.

  2. HQ Capture - Takes a high quality screenshot of the current image.

  3. Area Capture - Takes a screenshot of a user specified area of the image.

  4. Continuous Capture - Takes repeated screenshots for a user specified interval.

When a capture is taken, they are stored within the application itself. To find your screen captures:

  1. Navigate to the nine dots in the upper-left corner:

  2. This will open the files panel on the left-hand side, with any captured images or videos listed.

  3. Click on the nine dots once more to close the file panel.

Saved images can also be found in the file explorer under the path: This PC > Documents > AVer > Media Library > Picture

Presentation Tools

From left to right:

  • Spotlight - Allows the user to hide the screen except for a specified part of the image.

  • Visor - Completely masks the screen.

Modes

Sphere2 has three different modes that can be utilized at any time, indicated at the top of the screen:

  • Visualizer - This is the default setting, wherein objects can be moved under the camera and displayed on the computer screen.

  • Side by Side - Allows users to compare the currently displayed object with an image:

     

    • To insert an image, open the files panel using the nine dots on the upper-left hand corner of the screen, and drag the appropriate image into the blank space which says "Please insert image or camera to compare"

    • Side by Side can be exited at any time by returning to the Visualizer mode.

  • White Board - The White Board mode removes the camera feed and offers a blank canvas for users to draw on:

    • White Board can be exited at any time by returning to the Visualizer mode.