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Free track

Posted: 14 Jun 2012 21:00
by Zombie
Anybody know how to use this? Im desperate!!!! How can i live without 6dof? Is it even possible? I dont think it is possible so somebody save my life and help me out with the free track software or a spare track ir cam!!!!!!!

Re: Free track

Posted: 14 Jun 2012 21:03
by Warren
go get some pretzel sticks and duct tape, Fred can explain the rest from there. :P

Re: Free track

Posted: 14 Jun 2012 22:02
by YOKE
it can be a real quick fix ( day or two ) to make up a freetrack system but if ya never dabbled in it before it could be a headache.

firstly I used led's from radio shack part #276-0143
high output infrared
radient output ( 100ma)
forward voltage 1.2V
forward current 100 mA

speaker wire will be fine to complete all the wiring.

using the assembly wizard
http://www.free-track.net/english/hardw ... 67092d3f12
you put in the numbers above and find you will need a 15 ohm resistor as well ( from the shack )
also the calc will put up a schematic of how to make the connections.
the 15 ohm resistor is IF you use a USB plug as the power supply. ( batteries loose power too fast... usb is constant)
thats a quick answer... alot of the info I dug for in the forums etc and would have to look into again to answer more .
ie .. which wires in a usb plug to use for positive and negative for the 5v power supply. which side of the led is pos and which is neg.

hope some of this helps ... scroll down to serial build... NOTE ! resistor values in the below link are different than what you would need IF you use the radio shack led's I posted part number of above.
Any infrared leds you use will have the info you would need on the pack to punch into the calc . to find the resistor you need.

http://forum.free-track.net/index.php?showtopic=1856

Re: Free track

Posted: 15 Jun 2012 17:08
by Big_Fred
Freetrack rocks. The satisfaction of building one that actually works is priceless.

Yoke has given a very good rundown of the process. USB powered is the way to go.

Tape a piece of exposed film over your camera lens to filter out all but the IR light. You know, that black stuff you used to get back with your prints from the photomat. I use 2 layers and it works perfectly.

My next setup will be a stationary array of IR LED's mounted to my monitor (alongside camera) with simple reflective tape mounted to my headset armature. No more wires than necessary on head.

Re: Free track

Posted: 15 Jun 2012 17:27
by Zombie
Ok, I guess I'm looking at a trip to frys electronics. My tack it lasted 3 years, guess I can't complain.