Head Tracking

[Albino]

Hi everyone

 

I'm new to using head tracking technology (such as Track IR, OpenTrack, FreeTrackNoIR etc) and have some question. I've searched the forum but had no luck finding help.

 

Firstly, I'm attempting to use face tracking (no LEDs) with OpenTrack. I know this method isn't ideal however I'd like to try it out before looking into LED clips.

 

I'm able to load up OpenTrack, and in the software it shows that it is connected to BOS, however once I'm in game moving my head has no effect.

 

Thus my question is, does anything need to be done in BOS to activate head tracking? Eg; assigning a head tracking 'axis' in the keybindings or setting the camera mode in a specific way? Alternatively, do I need to press some keyboard shortcut aside from hitting 'Start' in OpenTrack?

 

If not, can someone point me to what I'm doing wrong in OpenTrack? My settings are as follows;

- Tracker = HT.10

- Protocol - FreeTrack 2.0

- Profile = default.ini

 

I'm using EZCA (also tried without it) and have interface set to 'Use TrackIR, hide FreeTrack'.

I haven't touched any of the curves.

 

My webcam is good quality - Logitech C920 HD.

 

Regards

Albino

Edited December 28, 2014 by Albino

[Albino]

Haha

 

As with all things the process of asking the question seems to reveal the answer. Hopefully this can be useful to someone else.

 

It appears that the OpenTrack curves are 'flat' by default; ie, no matter what input is detected no movement is output. After creating some linear curves it is working

[No_85_Gramps]

How well does it work using face tracking? 

[Albino]

Hi Gramps

 

It's a marked improvement over hat tracking. My intercept missions are more successful and survivable since I can track formations more easily and approach from safer angles. I also have better awareness of the horizon at all times.

 

Even in a well lit room it can be a bit glitchy. Sometimes OpenTrack decides my face is on my shoulder.

 

Some documentation on how to best setup the filters is sorely needed. Hopefully the program is updated soon to give more control over the FPS and exposure of the webcam (like in FaceTrack NoIR - which I couldn't get working). 

 

I may look into an IR rig and will spend more time tweaking my settings.

 

Regards

Albino

[Albino]

Out of interest can anyone explain if an IR filter (over the webcam) is necessary for LED point tracking rigs and why? 

 

Regards

Albino

[No_85_Gramps]

Actually if you are going to use IR LEDs you may need to remove the IR filter from the camera. I guess just about all the webcams have built-in IR filters, on some they need to be removed, on others just a piece of old floppy disk over the lens will suffice. I have a Logitech c270 that I did not remove the filter from and it works just putting the floppy disk material over the lens (it blocks out all the light but allows the camera to still see the IR LEDs)  I recently came across a PS3 eye-camera and on that I had to remove the IR filter and put a piece of floppy disk inside, it works great. As far as camera adjustments they need to be made using the camera's software. On the PS3 eye-camera there is a driver available to use it on a PC. As far as frames rates go the highest I can get on the c270 is around 30, on the PS3 eye I can get 70 fps, and the head tracking is much smoother with the PS3 eye.

[Albino]

Thanks Gramps

 

Ideally I want something as few extra parts (and fuss) as possible. Though it seems like I may have to look into LEDs. 

 

There is a discernible lag with my current settings using facetracking. This could probably be tackled by adjusting the filters, though without documentation it's difficult to know how.

 

Regards

Albino

[Albino]

So is it possible to use standard LEDs or reflective markers without the need for an IR filter?

 

Thanks anybody

 

Regards

Albino

[No_85_Gramps]

I believe so. Opentrack also supports the "Aruco Marker". I haven't experimented with it but basically you print out a marker and the camera tracks it. Haven't been able to find too much information about it. I suspect that room lighting would have an effect on it much like using a facetracker.

 

Here are some sites with additional info that may be of help:

 

http://sourceforge.net/p/facetracknoir/discussion/

http://www.free-track.net/

https://github.com/opentrack/opentrack/wiki

[Albino]

Thanks again for the tips Gramps

[Albino]

For anyone following I found the following page (with the help of Gramps) to be useful for tweaking accela filter.

 

https://github.com/opentrack/opentrack/wiki/accela-filter

[C-Max]

I just made my OpenTrack work and everything, but it doesn't track in-game. I open my OpenTrack first, start tracking, start up game, join server and it doesn't track my movement in-game, while my OpenTrack squid/octopus is moving.. What am I doing wrong or how can I fix this?

Thank you in advance

[Seb71]

First, start a new thread.