Freetrack Manuel2eng
Freetrack Manuel2eng
Handbook V2
Summary
Introduction.........................................................................................................................3
Required Hardware and Software...........................................................................................3
Tools................................................................................................................................3
Building a 4 Dots Cap, 3 Dots Cap, Single Dot system.........................................................4
LED wiring........................................................................................................................4
FreeTrack software installation..............................................................................................5
Single point mode.............................................................................................................6
3 points Clip mode............................................................................................................7
4 Points Cap mode............................................................................................................7
System setup........................................................................................................................7
Webcam settings..............................................................................................................8
Capture setup...................................................................................................................9
Sensitivity adjustement....................................................................................................10
Profile management............................................................................................................12
Tips and Tricks...................................................................................................................13
Output Modes.....................................................................................................................14
Mouse emulation.............................................................................................................14
Joystick emulation...........................................................................................................15
Keyboard emulation........................................................................................................23
Custom setup games...........................................................................................................27
Credits...............................................................................................................................28
Introduction
FreeTrack is a software used to simulate head movements in your games, to increase realism
and fun.
To achieve this, FreeTrack needs a webcam and markers (made of head-fixed diodes).
Thanks to these markers (diodes), FreeTrack, detects the player's head movements, and
reproduces them ingame.
FreeTrack works in the same way that TrackIR, and is compatible with most of the games
using this technology.
http://freetrack.online.fr
Tools
Get a flat nose pliers (to fold the mounting), a cutting pliers (to cut out the clotheshanger or
the copper wire), a soldering iron and its lead to connect the diodes.
WARNING :
The adequate processing of movements collected by FreeTrack depends on the precision and quality
of your assembly.
Take particularly care of the assembly symmetry, as showed on the next section diagrams .
LED wiring
Diodes are polarized components. It is necessary to take care of polarity when wiring. To locate
the flat part of the diode use the image below:
Diodes examples :
Consult Tristan68's Led handbook
to learn more.
note :
The current going through
the diodes sets the radiation
strength.
The more current, the more
light.
Also , the more current , the
more dissipated heat, and
the less Led lifespan.....
The diodes you should use for this assembly must have a 5mm diameter (as showed on
picture), must be red or orange (These 2 colors are better tracked by FreeTrack) and have a
wide radiation angle (It's no use to have high power leds, if you can't see them from the side).
If you want to use infrared leds, please use the given model (OSRAM SFH485P) or equivalent.
To carry out all calculations necessary to build the system, please click here :
http://freetrack.online.fr/english/freetrack/calcled/
Warning :
Once system is built, check dimensions, and
adjust dimensions settings in software if
needed.
If the registry key doesn't exist, or doesn't link to FreeTrack's NPClient.dll, a file select box will
appear, asking for NPCLIENT.DLL location.
Select your FreeTrack directory in the « Regarder dans » dialog : ie : C:\Program
Files\FreeTrack
According to the chosen model, adjust in Setup tab your leds position in space.
When you select a model, a schematic appears on the right side of the FreeTrack window.
System setup
Execute your first attempts in a darkened room (To reduce light parasits).
Wear you led cap , switch on and start FreeTrack
Webcam settings
FreeTrack uses balloon help to detail the most important functionalities (stay still a few
seconds on a function to have more information)
Warning :
Options shown in Camera properties window
may vary from one webcam to another. Some
options may be inactive or active, compared to
the left side picture.
Once every option has been set, click on Start, then Center :
Capture setup
By right-clicking on the head display window, you can alter your viewing preferences.
To acquire the markers efficiently, you'll need to adjust the Threshold cursor:
Here is an adjusting example, in 4 Points Cap mode (For better understanding, all preview
options have been disabled)
Too many visible markers : 4 markers seen : Not enough visible markers :
Sensitivity adjustement
Principle :
To adjust your head movements in FreeTrack, click on Rot and Trans tab, and modify the 3
curves accordingly.
To adjust the curves, drag the control points as
needed.
X Y Z
Profile management
The Profile tab allows to create custom game profiles. IE, if
you notice an inverted axis in a game, you can revert it back
to normal operation. All you need to do is check the
according checkbox in this tab.
You can add, rename or delete profiles by right-clicking in the
profile list window.
You can also alter movement sensitivity and deadzone for
each axis.
Average allows to smoothen movements.
The D tab provides access to a debug screen. The About tab provides informations on
FreeTrack Version.
Warning :
The skull head indicating movements in the FreeTrack window may disappear when a game is run,
this last requesting DirectX resources.
The status icon and numerical data provide feedback of the system work.
To get help and details on some FreeTrack functions, use the balloon help (stay still a few
seconds on the function to get. Balloon help is only implemented on major functions, and is not
available at this time to minor functions.)
Warning :
Take care to close all applications known to use your webcam (Ie : Microsoft MSN Messenger or
Microsoft Live Messenger !). Letting them run would drastically drop your Freetrack FPS (see Debug
tab) and would therefore reduce your movement precision ingame.
In case of problems with freetrack.ini file, or if this file is damaged, just delete it and restart
Freetrack. A fresh freetrack.ini with default values will be created.
Output Modes
Freetrack provides several output modes :
● Freetrack native (Trackir compatible).
● Mouse emulation
● Joystick emulation
● Keyboard emulation
Mouse emulation
You can use mouse emulation for games incompatible with FreeTrack native mode.
Warning :
This system only works with games with mouselook feature.
Joystick emulation
You can use mouse emulation for games incompatible with FreeTrack native mode.
You'll need the PPJoy tool, located here :
Click OK
Choose install directory (recommanded : keep default directory) then click Next.
Click on Close.
If you already have several game controllers, Controller 1 may already exist. In this case,
choose Controller number accordingly. Click on Add to confirm.
Driver install starts then :
Once finished, the virtual joystick driver is installed and ready to work..
Let's configure it :
Highlight PPJoy Virtual joystick 1 :
Click on Mapping…
In Profile tab, select your profile, then check ppjoy emulation and uncheck mouse emulation.:
Calibrate your virtual joystick (in control panel -> game controllers -> PPJoy Virtual Joystick 1).
Click on properties
Run your game and setup your views to your new virtual joystick axis.
Warning :
This system doesn't work on all games.
Virtual joystick driver has been tested with Windows XP SP2, but is not guaranteed to work with
Windows Vista. (Some users have tested it with Windows Vista.)
(Successfully used on Nascar Racing 2003, Flight Simulator 2004, Flight Simulator X.)
Keyboard emulation
You can use keyboard emulation for games incompatible with FreeTrack native mode.
You'll need the TrackMapper v1.1a tool, located here :
In your game setup, set your view keys to the keys you assigned to sectors in Trackmapper.
Warning :
This system doesn't work with all games.
Création de profil :
Since FreeTrack doesn't work the same manner in all games, you'll have to create or download
different profiles to get the best of each game.
Warning :
Be sure to download FreeTrack V.2 compatible profiles !!!
Once profiles have been downloaded unpack them in Freetrack\profiles directory. Your new
profiles should then appear in your profile list in Profile tab.
To have progressive movements, try to keep Yaw, Pitch and Roll graphs as straight as
possible, starting at 0. (the more they go to the right side, the mode your head movements are
amplified).
The Profile tab is used to create custom game profiles, and invert selected axis. If you notice
an inverted axis within a game, you can revert it back by checking the appropriate checkbox.
You can also alter movement sensitivity and add a deadzone, per axis.
You can add, rename and delete profiles by right-clicking in the profiles list.
- If Average option is low , your movements will be very reactive, but difficult to handle. The
more this option is increased, the smoother the movements will be, but also the more you’ll
notice a reaction delay.
Warning :
You have to find a compromise in setting all these parameters, which your are comfy with.
Game DOF
F1 Challenge 99-02****
* For Grand Prix Legends, You’ll need to use patch GPLShift version 7.3.2 and rename freetrack.exe to TrackIR.exe
For an up-to-date list of supported games , please consult Didja‘s web site:
http://freetrack.online.fr/freetrack/liste-titres-compatibles.php
Credits
Thanks to :
Bundled software
Deon van der Westhuysen Creator of PPJoy
Koji « KAF » Sato Creator of TrackMapper
Disclaimer
Thank you to have taken the time to read this handbook, which, I hope , answers most of your
questions.
Successive versions of this handbook take account of your remarks and thoughts.
Come join us on the Freetrack Forum and tell us your remarks and thoughts
about this software and handbook : http://freetrack.online.fr/forum