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RSS >  TrackClip Pro Model Dimensions?
Z-Town Pirate #1 31/03/2008 - 08h04

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In the FreeTrack software under Setup, what should I enter for the "Model Dimensions" of a TrackClip Pro?

I'm using a TrackClip Pro as my 3-Points-Clip mounted to the left side of my head.  It works great with a MS Lifecam VX3000 once I removed the IR Filter and covered the front with the magnetic disk from a floppy.

I tried to measure the TrackClip and enter the numbers in "model dimensions" under Setup.

From the side, this is what I measured in blue.

__1 inch
O<->
_____^
_____|_ 1.75 inches
_____v
_____O
_____^
_____|_ 2.5 inches
_____v
O<->
__3 inches


Since the FreeTrack software said it was relative proportion without any unit of measure, so I multiplied everything by 4 to get round numbers.  Then I entered the numbers in green as my Model Dimensions:

__4
O<->
_____^
_____|_ 7
_____v
_____O
_____^
_____|_ 10
_____v
O<->
__12

This was WAY off when I tried to use head tracking.  Then I went back to the default 60, 60, 80, 80 setup and it was much better.

Any idea why the actual dimensions didn't work?  Maybe because the three LEDs aren't arranged in a straight line vertically?  For example, when facing straight ahead, the top and bottom LED  curve inward with my face more than the middle LED at my ear.

I was hoping the correct model dimensions could help optimize performance.  For instance, the FreeTrack tends to do a better job of tracking when I turn my head left than when I turn it to the right.
Sandeu #2 01/04/2008 - 17h32

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Your measurements are all in Imperial, Free track measurements are based in Metric.  Just convert your imperial measurements to mm (millimeters) or to cm (centimeters) then multiply the centimeters x 10 to get your mm.

Try this Website to convert.

http://www.worldwidemetric.com/metcal.htm

Good luck, this program is amazing.....
now back to some IL2..........


As per your diagram...

__1 inch  25.4mm rounded off too 25mm
O<->
_____^
_____|_ 1.75 inches 44.45mm rounded off too 44mm
_____v
_____O
_____^
_____|_ 2.5 inches 63.5mm rounded off too 64mm
_____v
O<->
__3 inches 76.2mm rounded off too 76mm

you also could round off to the nearest whole number FreeTrack seems to be pretty forgiving in this regard.
Edited by Sandeu on 01/04/2008 at 17h42.
Z-Town Pirate #3 03/04/2008 - 20h37

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Sandeu,

Thanks for the response.  Unfortunately, your solution doesn't work because it doesn't matter if the figures are metric or imperial.  Put your mouse over the measurements and it says, "Unitless relative distance."  I took a screenshot and circled it in green below:

Posted Image

My guess at the problem:  From the front, the TrackClip Pro LEDs aren't in a straight line vertically like this:

Posted Image

Instead, it is more like this:
Posted Image

I tried using the numbers you suggested for the heck of it.  Once again, FreeTrack was WAY off.  For instance, even the slightest turn to my right immediately snapped the head completely to the left and viewing up.

Using the 25-44-64-76 dimensions:
1.  Here is my view with my head centered.  Notice where the 3 LEDs are in the Camera panel on the right:
Posted Image


2.  Here is my view after turning my head slightly to the right... snapped completely to the left and up.  Notice how little the 3 LEDs have moved in the camera view to achieve this crazy view.
Posted Image


I then reverted back to the 60-60-80-80 model dimensions.
3.  Here is my head centered.
Posted Image


4.  Here is the view when turning my head to the left.
Posted Image


5.  Here is the view when turning my head to the right.
Posted Image


Pay attention to another thing in views 4 and 5 above:  Turning my head to the left or right with the TrackClip also tends to make the view automatically tilt up/down.  It tilts up when looking to the right.  It looks down when looking to the left.

I think it does this because the bottom LED is closer to the screen.  Therefore, it moves to the left/right more than the other LEDs when I turn my head.  Again, I'm also guessing FreeTrack treats the LEDs as though they are in a straight vertical alignment.
Sandeu #4 04/04/2008 - 01h17

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If you hold the mouse cursor over any of the setup model dimensions you will get that message in your 1st image.  I don't know about the 3 led clip (TrackIR Clip) as I use the 3 point cap and sometimes when I start up using the actual measurements of my setup inputed into model dimensions my head rotation etc gets all weird like what you are experiencing.  So I too went with the default settings and it worked.  I had to fine tune the sensitivity and smoothness a bit as well I disabled X,Y,Z axis, as IL2 doesn't use them (unless you use the 6DOF mod).  Try and disabling the X,Y,Z axis in your profile and mess around with the sensitive and smoothness settings, and the "Center of Rotation Calibration" settings.  I've read on this forum that the TrackIR clip works, I hope one of them reads this and helps you out.  If you get it working please post your fix so others can learn from your hard work.

P.S.  I had to mess with this for 3 or 4 days to get it working.
Z-Town Pirate #5 04/04/2008 - 02h51

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To be clear:

It actually works quite well with the TrackClip Pro at 60-60-80-80.

There are only 3 issues.  The first two are only slight nuisances I hoped to fix by optimizing the model dimensions.

1.  Slight tilt up when looking right (compensate by having to turn my head right and down).

2.  Slight tilt down when looking left (likewise, just tilt head up when looking left.

3.  FreeTrack freezes and/or crashes if I ever turn so far to the right that the LEDs cross or go out of view.  Have to exit FreeTrack and re-open if frozen (starting and stopping the camera doesn't unfreeze it).  I now pause FreeTrack before getting up from the computer or making any drastic turns away from the monitor.  I read that version 2.2 will hopefully fix this bug.

Thanks!
babasior #6 04/04/2008 - 13h18

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Freeze = NAN error ?

So it's will be fixed on next freetrack release ...

From now try to adjust your webcam position in front of your tracking model (to don't have webcam picture tracking distorsion ...)

Try to change a little your model dimension ...

It's all you can do to solved this problem from now ... Or wait for FreeTrack 2.2 ...

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