FreeTrack Forum

Welcome, you're not connected. ( Log in - Register )

RSS >  Need help with Free track please, red box ???
SpecterM #16 23/08/2010 - 12h02

Class : Habitué
Posts : 64
Registered on : 17/08/2010

Off line Www

Well, First.  your list is in French?  Am I mistaken?  Or maybe I just dont know enough about these parts to interpret your list.  So If Im going to run out and buy this stuff?  I think not.

However, I DID READ AND VIEW VIDEOS and there are a million ways to do this cheap and easy right?  WRONG!!  The first LED's I bought were not strong enough to do what I needed.  So yesterday I went out and bought 3LED's at almost 6bucks a piece.  they have a....
Luminous Intensity(brightness) of 1100MCD and a Viewing angle(deg) of 100.  This is after I spent about 10dollars on other LED's that did NOT work so good.  So my list is up to 25.

Then i needed a saudering kit because I dont have one, +$10, $35.
Then I needed a Webcam, +$20= $55
Then I needed another webcam, because I killed the first one, +$20=$75
Power source, Tried 9Volt and AAA battery attatchement $8bucks.

Point is, with time and money im well over $100dollars.  It looks like crap and doesn't work barely as good as im sure the track IR does.

NOT to mention I cant find anywhere how to use this in game.  Though my last post prior to yours asked that, but you instead focused on something else  ;)

OH well.  Im in it now.  Time to finish this up.  How do I use this in game.  ARMA2 in particular and why do my FPS suck so bad?  I DONT want to buy another capture source so the wii remote is out of the question.
Edited by SpecterM on 23/08/2010 at 12h04.
Join the -=UGF=- Teamspeak, I'm here to help.  IP: 76.73.228.80 Port: 9987
Posted Image
SpecterM #17 23/08/2010 - 13h25

Class : Habitué
Posts : 64
Registered on : 17/08/2010

Off line Www

New results, removing my filters and learning to adjust the brightness have given my better frames.  Problem is.  Free track can detect the lights.  But its not moving the heads.  the little stars are missing.  Is there a setting I can adjust?
Join the -=UGF=- Teamspeak, I'm here to help.  IP: 76.73.228.80 Port: 9987
Posted Image
gguyaz #18 23/08/2010 - 17h06

Class : Apprenti
Posts : 34
Registered on : 07/08/2010

Off line

you have to set "3 points cap" on "global", Why didn't u buy IR leds? How many FPS did u got with ur webcam on freetrack?
SpecterM #19 23/08/2010 - 18h21

Class : Habitué
Posts : 64
Registered on : 17/08/2010

Off line Www

I will try that.  IR lights?  as in INfrared?  I dont recall any of the tutorial videos I watched saying they used IR lights    :(

Well, at this point.  I have built my hat.  Its done.  I may go back and get IR lights later on if this proves to be epic failure.  My hat design will make it easy to replace the lights.

heres some pics.

saudering the lights.
Posted Image
Posted Image

Light placement.
Posted Image
Posted Image

wired in a switch.
Posted Image

Used 2 sided sticky foam to attach power source to lid of cap.
Posted Image

My Hat finished!!
Posted Image
Posted Image

Will show some tracking results later.
Join the -=UGF=- Teamspeak, I'm here to help.  IP: 76.73.228.80 Port: 9987
Posted Image
dewey1 #20 23/08/2010 - 19h09

Class : Habitué
Posts : 191
Registered on : 25/06/2010

Off line

SpecterM where are you located?
If in the USA check here;

I purchased 10 SFH485P for $6.81 including shipping ($2.07) from Digi-Key.
So I got 9 spares to build clips or hats. There was a price break at 10 pieces.
10 pcs for $.44 each or 1-9 for $.77 each. Almost twice as many for same price. (10 versus 5)
SpecterM #21 23/08/2010 - 19h45

Class : Habitué
Posts : 64
Registered on : 17/08/2010

Off line Www

I'm in Massachusetts.

Im tracking pretty good.  Heres a vid of my tracking.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FJFo80ydUhc

But How do I get the game to move?  Where do I find this global setting?
Edited by SpecterM on 23/08/2010 at 19h56.
Join the -=UGF=- Teamspeak, I'm here to help.  IP: 76.73.228.80 Port: 9987
Posted Image
dewey1 #22 23/08/2010 - 20h12

Class : Habitué
Posts : 191
Registered on : 25/06/2010

Off line

The video did not work.

Check this for simple on/off 3-AA battery holder;
http://search.digikey.com/scripts/DkSearch/dksus.dll?Detail&name=SBH-331AS-ND

This will eliminate the bulky switch.

IR leds;
http://search.digikey.com/scripts/DkSearch/dksus.dll?Detail&name=475-1470-ND

Check game for mouse look or TrackIR support.
Some games require a joystick to be hooked up to use IR tracking.

Keep digikey in mind for the future!
SpecterM #23 23/08/2010 - 20h59

Class : Habitué
Posts : 64
Registered on : 17/08/2010

Off line Www

Finally figured out how to get the game to sense the free track.

Man its bad.  laggy and choppy. I think when it gets dark in my house it may be better.  I dont uderstand.  My lights are better than the ones you pointed out.  as far as specs go.  Is IR that much better?

heres what I bought for lights.
http://www.radioshack.com/product/index.jsp?productId=2102852&kw=040293153663&sr=1&origkw=040293153663
Join the -=UGF=- Teamspeak, I'm here to help.  IP: 76.73.228.80 Port: 9987
Posted Image
dewey1 #24 23/08/2010 - 22h28

Class : Habitué
Posts : 191
Registered on : 25/06/2010

Off line

IR leds like the ones I referred are much better to use.

The problem with white leds is the wavelength.
You would be off off with red leds because they are near IR wavelength.
You will still have problems with non IR leds because the camera will see a lot of backround light. Example lamps and sunlight, direct or reflections.

The best method is to use the floppy disk media filter to block all non IR light and use the IR leds I mentioned. There are many postings if you search about the leds I mentioned.

These IR leds have a wide angle and a flat surface for better emission pattern.
You will be very impressed by using these. Now that you know how to solder it will make things a little easier for you.

How are your current leds wired? Series or parallel? What resistor value(s)?
Edited by dewey1 on 24/08/2010 at 10h53.
SpecterM #25 23/08/2010 - 23h23

Class : Habitué
Posts : 64
Registered on : 17/08/2010

Off line Www

well, each LED has a positive and a negative off of it.
The negatives all connect and the positives all connect.
Then I put the positive off the batteries to the positve
and the negative off the batters to the negative.
wired the switch in line on the positive before the power.
Join the -=UGF=- Teamspeak, I'm here to help.  IP: 76.73.228.80 Port: 9987
Posted Image
gguyaz #26 24/08/2010 - 07h57

Class : Apprenti
Posts : 34
Registered on : 07/08/2010

Off line

Well, just follow this schema:

Posted Image

If you've done some modifications of ur Webcam, you'd better try with Infrareds LED's, U won't get a better tracking with ur powerfull LED's. IR wavelength is just better to use (night/day).

LED's are SFH485P 5mm or SFH487P 3mm both with a wide angle, that is the most important (they forget to say that on ur vidéos)

FROM Freetrack Wiki:

...Filters

For reasons of efficiency, FreeTrack requires the tracking points to be isolated from all other light, this is best done using infrared LEDs and a visible-light blocking filter in front of the camera. Photographic film or the magnetic storage medium inside floppy disks can be used as inexpensive visible-light filters. Further filtering can be done in software by adjusting exposure and threshold.

All video devices like webcams have a built-in infrared blocking filter which can be removed to improve sensitivity to infrared light, allowing better point isolation and the possibility of retroreflective tracking. This is normally a straight-forward and reversible procedure for most webcams.

Wii Remotes and NaturalPoint cameras are designed for infrared point tracking so already have visible-light blocking filters...
Edited by gguyaz on 24/08/2010 at 08h07.
SpecterM #27 24/08/2010 - 09h50

Class : Habitué
Posts : 64
Registered on : 17/08/2010

Off line Www

I ordered the lights you suggested.  What If I wanted to do batteries.  How many AA batteries would I use and would the wire diagram look the same?

My current setup is acting strange.  yesterday morning I had a good scanning where I was getting 30 frames.  Later on in the afternoon, My light spots are gray and its giving me crappy frames.  Like 7.  I know that the new lights will help, but I cant help but wonder... is the batteries dying?

Can you tell me what the formula is for calculating how much power I need?

For instance.  The current lights on my hat are 3.6Volts.
Does that mean I need 3.6Volts of Batteries to power all 3 lights?
or
Does that mean I need 3.6X3Volts=  10.8Volts to power all 3 lights?
Edited by SpecterM on 24/08/2010 at 10h10.
Join the -=UGF=- Teamspeak, I'm here to help.  IP: 76.73.228.80 Port: 9987
Posted Image
dewey1 #28 24/08/2010 - 13h10

Class : Habitué
Posts : 191
Registered on : 25/06/2010

Off line

Which leds did you order and from where?

If you use batteries for series wiring as shown in the previous picture:

Use 4 AA batteries which are nominal 1.5V if alkaline type.
Go with rechargeable alkaline type.
Use a 4 AA Cell holder that has a built in power switch.

Wire as per above diagram but remove the PTC-Fuse. Use this only if you plan on hooking up to computer USB port.

Use a 20 ohm 1/4 watt resistor as shown for a 75 ma current flow with new batteries and current will be about 25ma as the battery voltage drops.

The series method will give you the longest battery life compared to parallel.

The advantage of using the USB power pack/USB port is that it is regulated at 5 VDC.
With a 10 ohm resistor you will always have 50 ma current and if you use the 6.8 ohm resistor it will always be 75 ma. In the long run this will be cheaper than buying batteries

The battery method is not regulated and the voltage is 6 volts initially and as the pack drops to about 4.5 volts and the leds will not illuminate any more.
Each led has a 1.5 volt operating voltage, any thing less and it will not conduct.
(It will not light up)
Edited by dewey1 on 24/08/2010 at 13h41.
SpecterM #29 24/08/2010 - 22h13

Class : Habitué
Posts : 64
Registered on : 17/08/2010

Off line Www

SHOPPING LIST
-This is what Ive used.

Shopped at RadioShack
3X 5mm White LED, 3.6V, 1100mcd(brightness), Viewing angle 100
Enclosed "AAA" Battery Holder
5-Piece Basic Soldering Set
push-on/off switch
Total price = Approximately $30.00

Shopped at Target
Logitech C120 Webcam - Black or C200
Total Price =  $20.00

Other Supplies.
Ball Cap
Wire from bad christmas lights.  :lol:
Electrical Tape
Pen Tubes
Rear computer slot fillin
Zip ties
Double sided foam tape





CAMERA SETUP
-Note: I broke my first camera because i didnt know what I was doing.  the pics are different colors but the design of the camera is the same.

What To Do.
Buy camera.  I bought the  Logitech webcam 200,
Posted Image

Remove the rubber plug on the side, take out the screw.
Posted Image

Split the camera apart.
Posted Image

Unscrew the lens from the frame that sits on the circuit board.
Posted Image

Unscrew the backside of the frame from the circuit board.
Posted Image

Remove the red glass that is in the frame, It may break, just clean it out good. (thats the IR filter)
Posted Image

then put the camera back together.

NOTE: I tried using a film or floppy disk filter on the front of the lense, but my results proved to be too dark and would not pick up my lights.  Try it without the filters first.  You may be able to edit the settings.
Posted Image

NOTE: Do NOT remove the eye of the camera, this is the first camera I broke.
Posted Image


MAKING MY HAT

saudering the lights.
Posted Image
Posted Image

Light placement.
Posted Image
Posted Image

wired in a switch.
Posted Image

Used 2 sided sticky foam to attach power source to lid of cap.
Posted Image

My Hat finished!!
Posted Image
Posted Image
Edited by SpecterM on 24/08/2010 at 22h15.
Join the -=UGF=- Teamspeak, I'm here to help.  IP: 76.73.228.80 Port: 9987
Posted Image
gguyaz #30 25/08/2010 - 05h52

Class : Apprenti
Posts : 34
Registered on : 07/08/2010

Off line

...film or floppy disk filter on the front of the lense... <-- is only for IR Led's

 >  Fast reply

Message

 >  Stats

1 user(s) connected during the last 10 minutes (0 member(s) and 1 guest(s)).