Introduction: Per-i-Sight: MacBook ISight Periscope
Turn your MacBook iSight into a cam for conferences, lectures, and more with a couple of pieces of cardboard and small mirror. Don't be selfish, point your built in camera forward with this simple periscope: Per-i-Sight! (Sorry, DOESN'T work with MacBook Pro.)
Step 1: Get Materials
1. some sort of thin, but strong(ish), cardboard; I used a PopTarts box.
2. a small plastic mirror. prefferably light weight and thin.
3. pen/pencil and Vis-a-Vis
4. scissors
5. a MacBook (not Pro)
6. Per-i-Sight template: download [broken link, sorry it is a very old file that I can't find any longer]
Step 2: Create Cardboard Brackets
print template. cut around black shape. trace onto cardboard twice. cut out both cardboard brackets. make sure the long skinny slot is the right width for your mirror as it may be different than mine. it's better to make it too small and have to cut more.
Step 3: Attach to MacBook
slide the two brackets onto your MacBook lid so that one shape is on eiher side of your iSight. this can be adjusted later.
Step 4: Mount the Mirror
slide the mirror into the long slots on each cardboard piece.
the cardboard may need to be adjusted for imperfections in cutting. try sandpaper or X-acto. adjust the mirror and cardboard to your liking, I tried to make the template with the optimum angle and distance for maximum viewing image and angle.
ignore the line in my mirror, it's explained in the next step, which is optional.
the cardboard may need to be adjusted for imperfections in cutting. try sandpaper or X-acto. adjust the mirror and cardboard to your liking, I tried to make the template with the optimum angle and distance for maximum viewing image and angle.
ignore the line in my mirror, it's explained in the next step, which is optional.
Step 5: Trim the Mirror
your mirror may be like mine: way too big. the mirror pictured is actually big enough to make four Per-i-Sights.
If you would like, mount the mirror, turn on Photo Booth and using a Vis-a-Vis mark where the tip of the pen enters the image.
draw a few lines on the mirror, slice it up, make some more cardboard brackets and tada! you have a few backups or some for your friends!
If you would like, mount the mirror, turn on Photo Booth and using a Vis-a-Vis mark where the tip of the pen enters the image.
draw a few lines on the mirror, slice it up, make some more cardboard brackets and tada! you have a few backups or some for your friends!
Step 6: Enjoy the View!
if you cut the cardboard brackets well, they should fit snug, making it nearly mobile (at least if you don't close your lid). go record something!
*that's my room mate by the way.
*that's my room mate by the way.