Respectfully request FreeTrack support

[bushlurker 46]

Thanks Phobia... I didn't have a webcam anyway, so I bought THIS one from Amazon - £15..

It's a nightvision cam with IR illumination, so since its happily throwing invisible light at you anyway, it seemed more convenient to just bounce it back at the camera rather than fuss with additional light sources attached to your head (plus the batteries, cables, etc)...

I'd just bought the new sony lightweight headset so I was looking to make the lightest possible setup...

Works a treat - you literally DO forget it's there its so light...

B

[phobia 10]

Thanks Phobia... I didn't have a webcam anyway, so I bought THIS one from Amazon - £15..

It's a nightvision cam with IR illumination, so since its happily throwing invisible light at you anyway, it seemed more convenient to just bounce it back at the camera rather than fuss with additional light sources attached to your head (plus the batteries, cables, etc)...

I'd just bought the new sony lightweight headset so I was looking to make the lightest possible setup...

Works a treat - you literally DO forget it's there its so light...

B

That is a really neat idea there. I like that it is all invisible light. Nothing shinning near the web cam in your face. Cool as hell setup.

[jw custom 56]

It's perfectly clear from even a cursory glance around the forums that there are indeed many, many far more pressing issues with Arma2 currently, than the inclusion of another API for control devices...

It's also clear that theres considerable consumer-level support for such an inclusion...

There's been a flurry of PM's, discussions and chat over the last few days behind-the-scenes on this forum, the Freetrack Forum and elsewhere... One result is The Poll you may notice Placebo himself started yesterday.. another is the fact that this thread hasn't been closed...

Following some recent discussion with Suma, the overworked Dev who'd probably be the one having to implement Freetracks SDK, Microsoft SimConnect, or whatever API is finally decided on, the entire issue is on hold, pending...

a) As requested - by Suma - , a demonstration of the level of support for implementing another API...

b) All other far more important Arma2 patching being completed...

So - demonstrating your support for Freetrack via discussion or poll or petition will NOT delay the next patch - rest assured... things ARE merely in the discussion/assessment stage at the moment...

If anyone is interested, there's been considerable discussion - with contributions by Placebo amongst others - over on the Freetrack Forums - see link above...

If anyone would like to have a go with headtracking in Arma1 (and Arma 2 - with certain current limitations), theres a post of mine HERE on the Armaholic Forums with full details (I'll add in the pic from that below)... £15-£25 will see you smoothly head tracking in either game...

(although if you have a webcam, or even a Wii-mote - and you can handle a little DIY - you could be headtracking - right now - for nothing... thats right - nothing.....)

If you're not a DIY guy my post will explain how you can just buy all the necessary stuff and use it all straight out of the box without any DIY or modifications whatsoever...

(Passive IR nanoclip - DIY - materials = 3 reflective beads, a cabletidy and the legs off my old sunglasses))

IMG]http://i21.photobucket.com/albums/b272/Bushlurker/trackclip.jpg[/img]

No LED's, no batteries, no wires, no fuss...

B

Cool and great job

Edited July 15, 2009 by Placebo

[mbmonk 10]

That is an awesome setup. I am jealous!

I might have to steal that idea for my final FreeTrack setup!!! :)

Edited July 14, 2009 by mbmonk

[bushlurker 46]

thanks guys...

@mbmonk.... no "stealing" required - like Freetrack, my ideas are free too! :D

(my previous design was similar, but instead of a cableclip I just pressed & glued the legs between 2 small, light coins)

Have a good think - bet you could do even BETTER!

B

Edited July 15, 2009 by Bushlurker

[mbmonk 10]

thanks guys...

@mbmonk.... no "stealing" required - like Freetrack, my ideas are free too! :D

(my previous design was similar, but instead of a cableclip I just pressed & glued the legs between 2 small, light coins)

Have a good think - bet you could do even BETTER!

B

Lol.

You have definitely opened my eyes on this. Light weight, no batteries, and no on/off switch! I REALLY like it :).

[bushlurker 46]

Although they aren't generally well publicised - as yet - there ARE a variety of head tracking solutions available... here's a summary of some...

Freetrack

Software - Free

Camera - any webcam, Wii-mote, Sony Eye, etc

Interfaces - Microsoft SimConnect, FSUIPC, TrackIR, Mouse, keyboard and joystick sim

SDK/API available for download - Yes

TrackIR

Software - Free (Thanks to NP Vincent for corrections)

Camera - TrackIR cameras only

Interfaces - Microsoft SimConnect (*see below), TrackIR, Mouse (separate software required?), keyboard, joystick sim

SDK/API available for download - Sort of, maybe, if you sign a license I think

*(I'm not sure about the exact details of Microsoft SimConnect support... quote below from Wikipedia...)

Some larger gaming and simulation titles still do not support the TrackIR interface natively, such as Microsoft Flight Simulator X. Microsoft Flight Simulator X requires the TrackIR to send view control data to it using Microsoft's own SimConnect interface. Eagle Dynamics, developer of DCS: Black Shark and other popular Flight Simulation titles, implemented an alternative view control interface along side the TrackIR interface but limited it to supporting 3DOF at NaturalPoint's request

I'd take this to mean a Yes - Microsoft SimConnect IS supported...

Cachya

Software - Free - pay to upgrade to 6DoF capability

Camera - Any webcam

Interfaces - Microsoft SimConnect, Mouse and Joystick sim

SDK/API available for download - ???

Z800 3D Visor

Software - Uses Nvidia drivers

Camera - it's a Visor!

Interfaces - Mouse

SDK/API available for download - Yes

Spica Helmet Tracker

(It's a Helmet!)

Logitech Headtracker

(It's wierd in a sort of wierd way... uses ultrasonics instead of IR)

FaceAPI

(amazingly interesting, uses any camera, tracks your actual face! - It can tell if you're smiling!! Scary-level possibilities!- one to watch!)

And theres more I couldn't be bothered to search for...

As you can see, its a rapidly expanding area... the technology and concept has been around for decades, but it's only more recently that users, and designers, have begun to revisit the concept... thats good! The concept & technology isn't copyrighted or patented or anything... I predict MANY more alternatives in the VERY near future!

What does all this mean for us Arma1/2 players? and, more specifically, the current discussion about an additional headtracking API for Arma2 ??

Well - from the above list, plus Wikipedia quote, it seems clear that Microsoft SimConnect might be an good choice... its already compatible with 3 or more of the current favourite tracking systems and - above all, it belongs to that lumbering behemoth we all know and love - Microsoft - so theres a pretty good chance it will become the DeFacto standard tracking interface in major forthcoming games...

(Why bother installing TrackIR, or Freetracks API at all when they'll both work just fine with a Microsoft API - as will most of the others??)

Theres been no official decision by BIS on this topic as yet - thats what these discussions, and the poll is for... If you're intrigued by the possibilities, please add your support for opening up all these interface possibilities by taking the time to vote YES...

Remember - it's only a discussion as yet - voting Yes will NOT delay the forthcoming Arma2 patch...

Happy tracking

B

Edited July 15, 2009 by Bushlurker

[wooly-back-jack 10]

fabulous post and info

[NaturalPoint_Vincent 0]

FYI - Microsoft SimConnect was developed for use within FSX, and several later sim applications which were to be based on the FSX engine, released by Aces studios which no longer exists.

The TrackIR software is free to download from the NaturalPoint website.

[bushlurker 46]

Thanks for the info Vincent - I waded thru the NP site to make sure I got everything as correct as possible... I'll edit my post accordingly...

P.S.

You have definitely opened my eyes on this. Light weight, no batteries, and no on/off switch! I REALLY like it .

That was the intention... lets hope you're not the only one :)

B

Edited July 15, 2009 by Bushlurker

[frederf 0]

I'm still confused about why this is an issue. TrackIR is simply a controller, right? You can use a joystick's throttle to control zoom just like you would TrackIR.

TrackIR = controller axis = zoom in

Joystick = controller axis = zoom in

Freetrack = controller axis = zoom in

Isn't Freetrack just a controller and a source of controller axes just like joysticks, pedals, TrackIR, wheel, etc?

[fincuan 0]

Nope, at present head-tracking devices aren't "just controllers", which is why we have all these threads in the first place. Joysticks and other controllers have their own common interface(at Bushlurker's post you can see what interaces they support) that every device uses, while in head-tracking such things don't exist yet, or at least aren't in common use.

[maddogx 13]

I think Frederf has a point, at least if I understand him correctly. Isn't it possible to bind the analog sticks of a game controller to head movement in Arma2? If so, shouldn't it be possible for FreeTrack to emulate a game controller and translate the head movements into appropriate controller axis signals?

[frederf 0]

I just set my joystick X+,X-,Y+,Y- to be Look Right/Left/Down/Up and it worked fine. If a joystick can do this why is Freetrack unable to do this?

[fincuan 0]

It is possible with a software called PPJoy, but that one doesn't work on x64 systems.

edit:

To clarify that a bit: PPJoy creates a virtual controller, which in turn can be used to deliver Freetrack outputs to the game. On x86 systems Freetrack should install it automatically.

Edited July 15, 2009 by Fincuan

[arma2disapointed 10]

I would LOVE it if Arma2 incorporated FreeTrack at some point. I know the team has MUCH more pressing issues to fix so just when you get a chance take a look at it.

Thanks,

Mike

PS: All the other FreeTrack threads were closed. So I couldn't find an existing thread to post my support for FreeTrack in Arma2. Sorry.

Agreed, it´s a secondary thing.

But it seem BIS like to jump over all the basiq´s like always.

[Placebo 29]

Due to the previous issues covered in the other Freetrack threads (which can easily be found by searching), the current poll is deemed the only suitable method for expressing Freetrack support at present.