Freetrack 2.0 - Your $10, 6dof TrackIR

[indy007]

Saw the thread about whether the TIR was worth it. Well, it is. It's a great product.

However, not everybody wants to spend the money. Nailing down the details for a viper simpit I'm starting on, I came across this...

FreeTrack 2.0 http://n.camil.chez-alice.fr/index.php

All you need is the free software, a webcam, and less than $10 in parts. Easy to build, works well, and is compatible with AH2.

Aces High 2 - FreeTrack, 6dof
http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=9NQOSpTIqjQ

Open Falcon 4.5 - FreeTrack, 6dof
http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=GTmg1y0iXko

FS-X, FreeTrack, 6dof
http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=5JyniKi7L0s

[Fulmar]

Freetrack 2.2 is a much better version.  It improves performance of head tracking.  I stopped using Freetrack 2.1 when I was discouraged by the jerkiness of low FPS recording by my webcam.  Someone posted the release of 2.2 and I tried my same rig again and the difference was night and day.  They included a webcam FPS multiplier and its near flawless tracking of my head.

I use it every time I fly now.  Though my wife calls me an extreme dork when I'm wearing it.

[The Fugitive]

HERE'S the write up I did when I built mine.

[indy007]

HERE'S the write up I did when I built mine.

 

[indy007]

Ahh, slight update. Switched to the 2.2 software. I'll be using a Wiimote. A Wiimote has a 100fps, highly developed IR camera in it. The Nintendo brand ones can track up to 4 IR Leds (the cheap knock-offs can only do 2).

So, using a Bluetooth adapter for the PC, and software like BlueSoliel, you can use the Wiimote as your head tracking camera with little to no performance hit compared to a regular webcam with inferior frame rates.

[Fulmar]

Ahh, slight update. Switched to the 2.2 software. I'll be using a Wiimote. A Wiimote has a 100fps, highly developed IR camera in it. The Nintendo brand ones can track up to 4 IR Leds (the cheap knock-offs can only do 2).

So, using a Bluetooth adapter for the PC, and software like BlueSoliel, you can use the Wiimote as your head tracking camera with little to no performance hit compared to a regular webcam with inferior frame rates.

LOL are you strapping the remote to your head?  I remember reading that FreeTrack could use the Wii Remote.

[633DH98]

Wiimote goes on monitor, IR LEDs get strapped to the sides of your head. 

http://hackaday.com/2007/12/21/wiimote-head-tracking-desktop-vr-display/

[Fulmar]

I had assumed the IR was being used in the remote.

[633DH98]

Wiimotes contain an IR sensor.

[yankedudel]

Any good tutorial on how to set it up to run with AHII?  Do you still use Freetrack with it?

[yankedudel]

With the Wiimote I mean...

[moot]

Yanke, there's something like that at the updated freetrack website. Link's on the older freetrack website homepage..
http://freetrack.online.fr/english/

[smokey23]

I built one of the rigs freetrack says to build and it doesnt work near as good as they make out. Im constructing my new one useing a Bluetooth adapter, a wii remote, and the 3 point IR cap i built for the free track. I supose you will need the freetrack software however im not useing the webcam thing i will use the WII remote as my camera.We will see how it goes.I will right up a complete setup instructions after i build and test it in game.<S>

wish me luck

[yankedudel]

Good luck, thanks Smokey and Moot

[indy007]

I built one of the rigs freetrack says to build and it doesnt work near as good as they make out. Im constructing my new one useing a Bluetooth adapter, a wii remote, and the 3 point IR cap i built for the free track. I supose you will need the freetrack software however im not useing the webcam thing i will use the WII remote as my camera.We will see how it goes.I will right up a complete setup instructions after i build and test it in game.<S>

wish me luck

What version of the software were you using? Running 2.2 here, and it's worked fine for me using a cheap Logitech QuickCam with the film of a 3.5" disk over it. With the stuff I already had, I've spent all of $7 on my setup so far.

I am switching to my Wiimote next week anyways, but I don't think I have to. Just doing it because I can.

special note:
If you plan to buy a Wiimote for this, buy the real Nintendo brand. The off-brand are cheap knockoffs which may only be able to track 2 leds instead of 4.