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Post by gnomie on Feb 24, 2008 22:15:44 GMT 1
Hi! A while ago I read this thread on the LFS forum. It explains how you can use a program called FreeTrack to track your head movement using an LED lamp. Today I visited my brother, and I borrowed a single LED reading lamp from him. So I configured the program, launched LFS and -- it worked!! When I turn my head I can see through the side window. And I also discovered that my car has a CD player. ;D I think it's going to be hard to get used to it though.. I don't know if I ever will, frankly. It's just so hard to figure out where the car is headed when I'm not looking straight ahead. But if you have a 1-LED lamp at home (bike light? Reading lamp? something like that), you can give it a try. The program is free. Here is a demo video some guy made.
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Post by hanziboy on Feb 24, 2008 23:03:07 GMT 1
Hi! A while ago I read this thread on the LFS forum. It explains how you can use a program called FreeTrack to track your head movement using an LED lamp. Today I visited my brother, and I borrowed a single LED reading lamp from him. So I configured the program, launched LFS and -- it worked!! When I turn my head I can see through the side window. And I also discovered that my car has a CD player. ;D I think it's going to be hard to get used to it though.. I don't know if I ever will, frankly. It's just so hard to figure out where the car is headed when I'm not looking straight ahead. But if you have a 1-LED lamp at home (bike light? Reading lamp? something like that), you can give it a try. The program is free. Here is a demo video some guy made. Looks nice, it's indeed like Track IR. AS they were saying on the forum, you only should need 1 led to get it to work bet you wil get the best results with 4 leds... I think. I can imagine this feels strange the first times... but very helpfull in close battles?? will try to make it to , when having the time.. Thank you for this nice link !!!
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Post by gnomie on Aug 24, 2008 10:14:04 GMT 1
Hello! Time for an update here I think. For FreeTrack, all you need is a webcam on your PC + an LED somehow strapped to your head. In the beginning I was using just one visible LED. The results were mediocre at best, but they sparked my interest. I knew it was possible to make your own tracking device, but I have no clue about soldering and stuff, so I kind of discarded the whole thing. Then, recently, I stumbled upon a guy at the FreeTrack forum( forum.free-track.net/index.php?showtopic=829) selling pre-built caps with built-in infrared LEDs. (just like the remote control to your TV) I thought it would end up being terribly expensive, but I only paid a little over $20 (shipping included), and with the weak dollar these days it became very affordable. Here are some pics: The good thing about three LEDs on the cap is that it provides six degrees of freedom: left/right, up/down, back/forth, pan left/right, pitch up/down and rotating your head left and right. So basically all the movements of your head get captured. In the software you can adjust the sensitivities and responsiveness of all these movements for the game you're playing. For example in flight sims the sensitivity needs to be high since you have to look behind your shoulder all the time. In LFS, looking left/right are the most important, so I've tuned down the sensitivity on the others. But it's just awesome to be able to look around at the interior! (especially with Patch Z!) Since the LEDs are infrared, I've strapped on a visible light filter in front of my webcam to avoid too much background noise interfering with the tracking (just a piece of the inside of a floppy disk -- it's great for the job!). The tracking is flawless and responsive, and the cap is very comfortable. Of course it takes some getting used to. I don't know about you guys, but I tend to get pretty "involved" when racing, moving my head left and right, leaning into the corners etc. With FreeTrack, this motion affects your view too. I think this adds a lot to the immersion (especially the leaning in the corners and such) So far I've only been using it offline against the AI, but I think it really helps with my situational awareness. It's so much easier to know exactly where the other cars are relative to my own! But it also makes it much easier to nail the apex perfectly, since I can look out my side window in tight corners. I'm already as fast as I was without FreeTrack, and I've only been using it for a week! All in all, I'm extremely positively surprised at how well both the software, and particularly the cap, are working. I'd definitely recommend you guys to give it a go. The cap is really cheap, and all you need is a webcam and you're good to go. You can of course also solder your own tracking system if you have the skills/opportunity. (I don't have neither! ) If you have any questions just ask, or go to the FreeTrack forum.
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Post by SLO_Scatter on Sept 19, 2008 21:14:04 GMT 1
Hey guys, I need some help figuring out which web cam would be the cheapest and easiest to mod in order to use FreeTrack. I didn't want buy a web cam that would be really hard to get the Ir filter out of, or cost more than what I needed.
Thanks.
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Post by giannic on Sept 22, 2008 21:01:11 GMT 1
Creative has some good webcams, not sure though if they qualify for using FreeTrack and / or your prefered price. For FreeTrack I do would recommend thinking on buying one truly decent webcam right away, instead of buying a cheap model and having poor performance / need to buy a new one after x time, ...
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Post by hanziboy on Sept 22, 2008 22:09:12 GMT 1
I don't think for this function the webcam has to be very expensive... If you don't find a IR filter let me know, I will send one to you.
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Post by SLO_Scatter on Sept 23, 2008 0:59:32 GMT 1
According to what I have read, I have to have someone take the Ir filter out of the webcam and then put a piece of an old floppy disk over/or behind the lens. Right? I just didn't want to get a cam that was too cheap, but I didn't want to pay $30 for the cam then tear it up by taking out the Ir filter. Make any sense? giannic - You mean I need to buy one after Christmas time? Anyway, the guy that makes those hats hasn't been around for a long time, so it may not matter unless he returns. It sure would be easier for me to see who's passing me though.
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Post by gnomie on Sept 23, 2008 7:56:20 GMT 1
There are webcams which don't have an IR filter installed. Mine, for example, doesn't. It's a Creative Live! cam. It was pretty cheap and works just nicely. However the next version of FreeTrack (2.2) will include support for using the Wiimote for headtracking instead of a webcam. Then you'll just strap the wiimote to your monitor and it will record the movement of the LEDs on your cap at 120 frames per second. However nobody knows when v2.2 will be released (it's been rumoured to be released "within weeks" for at least half a year by now..) I'd recommend you to have a look at the free-track.net forums and browse through the topic about supported webcams. There's lots of friendly people there who can help you.
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Post by SLO_Scatter on Sept 23, 2008 16:56:27 GMT 1
You mean this cam Gnomie? us.creative.com/products/product.asp?category=218&subcategory=219&product=10412 That's not exactly what I call cheap, although I might be able to find it cheaper at Buy.com, Newegg.com, TigerDirect.com, or Ebay. The wiimote is about the same price, plus I don't own any consoles. I use a pc for my gaming/racing. I'll take a look at the other forum, but like I said before, if Marcus doesn't come back or if he's done making hats, there isn't any point in getting a webcam yet. edit : Or is your cam maybe this one? www.everythingusb.com/creative_live!_cam_optia.html
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Post by gnomie on Sept 23, 2008 18:36:32 GMT 1
It's the first one you linked to. Here is a list of supported webcams that definitely work fine. You might also want to look through this thread for some info. Most cameras should work just fine, as long as they provide 30 FPS. That's a must, I think. I wonder where Marcus has gone to, though? He was very helpful and seemed like a serious chap. I can't imagine that he's just run off without explaining why... I hope he returns! Oh, and here is a thread where the developers say that the Wiimote patch is almost done!! I'm super-excited with that!
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Post by gnomie on Sept 26, 2008 15:59:58 GMT 1
Marcus is back! Check out the freetrack forum.
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Post by SLO_Scatter on Sept 26, 2008 16:34:28 GMT 1
Yup, I ordered my hat already. I also ordered me a webcam. I got the Microsoft Lifecam VX-1000. I should have both of them by Monday or Tuesday, then I'll have to get someone to mod the cam for me.
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Post by gnomie on Sept 26, 2008 21:54:22 GMT 1
Congrats!! I'm sure you'll like it. Just let me know if you have problems setting it up, and I'll try to help you. For example for setting up the profile. At the moment I'm actually not using a light filter at all. It works perfectly as long as the room is fairly dark. However I'd recommend getting a hold of some photo film (unexposed or exposed, it doesn't matter) for filtering out the visible light. I haven't tried it yet, but according to this article it should be perfect for headtracking! (The LEDs used in Marcus' cap emit light at 880nm wavelength) I'll try to get a hold of some film and try it out.
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Post by SLO_Scatter on Sept 26, 2008 23:34:54 GMT 1
The link wouldn't work. It only had http:// in it. I was going to try it by using a piece of floppy disk in place of the Ir filter. I have a window right behind my computer, meaning, it will be shining light on the cam. I will probably need a profile for v.2.1.2 since they say the profile for v.1 won't work with v.2.1.2.
I'll let you know if I have questions.
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Post by gnomie on Sept 27, 2008 9:47:02 GMT 1
Oops, link fixed.
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