FreeTrack Forum

Hey all.

Recently I've had an idea of how to completely change FT's point of view.

With current setups there are several disadvantages.

Firstly, both models (Clip and Cap) have a limited range of head movement and cases of LEDs intersecting with each-other, both occur due to the model's shape.

Second, a lot of movement range available to FT is not used because of the way our head moves- for example - FT can track you head in a down movement of about 70~80 degrees whilst you can only look downwards in about 60 degrees. Furthermore, FT cannot track your head movement for over ~70 degrees upwards since both models have LEDs intersect.
FT can also track 360 degrees rotation along Z axis (Roll) while it is unnecessary (You can only tilt your head sideways about 50 degrees).

FT is a great system if you are using just a plain 19"-24" screen, located right in front of you, but is very limited is you want to use a 180~360 degrees POV (full sphere projection) or VR goggles.

My idea is to move the camera's and the model's locations to be placed over the user's head.
That way, almost a full sphere POV can be achieved.
The following illustrations will explain:

Introducing, the TRIPOD:



Clip Pitch range:



Too much range is dedicated to looking downwards- unneccesary

Clip Yaw range:



Very limited- about 120 degrees.
Asymmetric range- User's head hides the LEDs from camera in several cases.

Tripod pitch:



Range is limited only by the the LED beam range.

Tripod yaw:



Can reach 360 degrees.


Only changes needed for FT's software is to be able to flip axis- X with Y, Yaw with Roll.. -That's it.

This setup's main application is for those using a wide FOV display system.

I believe this simple setup can move FT up a notch.

Very nice pics. However with rotation being unconstrained how does FT know which point is which?  

Humm, interresting idea, but it can be a problem with Z axis movement.  

It's only possible with external webcam ! (Not for notebook webcam ...)
FreeTrack Axis must be changed to use this new design !

@ZoharDV :

Can you put axis on yours pictures, please ?

If you want to test your system position, you can change axis mapping with freetrack 2.2.0.279. It's must Work !

It's an interresting idea (Again   )

If someone want to test we will be happy to have a feedback !  

Here's the pics with Axis:





How do I flip axes?
I can build a model of the tripod, but FT's code must be suited for it.
The Zero position and LED vectors have to be calculated for this model.
Perhaps you can use the 4 point model's space and fill it in with the Tripod model.

When you made a new freetrack profile, you can modify axis values, mapping of axis (example x to y ..etc), and you can invert axis movements with checkbox ....

Try this before, to see if freetrack work with your tripod model without code change ....

I just started a thread on this exact thing.. glad I didnt do any MSpaint drawings.

It would be 1000% better for rotational tracking looking down on 3 points rotating.

If this does prove possible I will build my headpod. If not I may just forget it.

I was really hoping this would work because I have a pair of vr glasses that I would like to use while standing up.

Using the setup described above, when I rotate along the X axis after reaching a certain point (about 60 degrees) the skull model will simply jerk back to its starting position instead of continuing to rotate in a 360 degree manner.

Has anyone else had luck with this? Any suggestions?