
CHAPTER 1 - Overview
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Congratulations on your purchase of a MicroScribe™ G2, model G2, G2X, G2L, or G2LX. This
manual provides you with the information you need to quickly begin digitizing 3D objects.
Functional Overview
The Immersion® MicroScribe G2 is a powerful tool for performing 3-dimensional digitizing. Unlike
any system you have ever used before, the Immersion MicroScribe G2 employs a unique
mechanical linkage system, which provides support to its stylus. The MicroScribe G2 has been
designed with the user in mind. The counterbalanced arm and smooth gliding motion ensure
hours of fatigue-free and comfortable use. The unique stylus is comfortable to hold and allows for
easy manipulation between the fingertips.
The MicroScribe G2X offers higher resolution for more demanding applications. The MicroScribe
G2L offers a larger workspace for convenience and flexibility. The MicroScribe G2LX combines a
larger workspace and increased accuracy.
Technical Overview
The MicroScribe G2 communicates with a host computer through a standard USB port or RS-232
serial port. The system includes the digitizing arm unit, which houses the internal electronics, a
USB cable, a serial cable, an input device, and an external power module.
A series of optical encoders inside each of the joints work with a microchip in the base to send
the joint angles to a host computer, which calculates the position of the stylus tip in 3D space. A
foot pedal or hand switch can be attached to the rear panel of the digitizing arm to input data.
A number of software packages currently exist for the MicroScribe G2. See our web site,
http://www.immersion.com, for free software offers including MicroScribe Utility Software and the
Software Development Kit (SDK).
Release Notes
Included in your MicroScribe G2 System Package you will find the following items, shown in
Figure 1. If, after setting the system up completely as described in the