Elite & HeadtrackNoIR setup with Webcam Tutorial

Schoolboy · Dec 8, 2014

So I was looking for a cheap alternative to IR head tracking or using the Oculus rift. So I stumbled on FaceTrackNoIR which is a great bit of software for head tracking. I've done some setup for Elite Dangerous to make it more responsive and to fit in the cockpit view of the ships in ED.

I've created a video on how to use my save for you rig setup. I've been using it most of last week and found that dog fighting was more fun that I could look all around the cockpit.

Heres the youtube link
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u4-Ec0rW9rE

For both .ini files you can find the download link here:
http://www.lemon-tea.co.uk/games/elite-dangerous/

If you guys try the .ini file or make a similar setup on FacetrackNoIR I'd like to hear your experience. As for me I'm totally loving this as it adds an extra dimension to the game which is cheaper than other hardware setup as long as you have a webcam already.

Kyokushin · Dec 8, 2014

If you want totally free and much more precize than any camera-based solutions, alternative you can use smartphone gyroscope based headtracking:

Here is GUIDE:
https://forums.frontier.co.uk/showthread.php?t=58760

Armante · Dec 8, 2014

Schoolboy said:
So I was looking for a cheap alternative to IR head tracking or using the Oculus rift. So I stumbled on FaceTrackNoIR which is a great bit of software for head tracking. I've done some setup for Elite Dangerous to make it more responsive and to fit in the cockpit view of the ships in ED.

I've created a video on how to use my save for you rig setup. I've been using it most of last week and found that dog fighting was more fun that I could look all around the cockpit.

Heres the youtube link
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u4-Ec0rW9rE

For both .ini files you can find the download link here:
http://www.lemon-tea.co.uk/games/elite-dangerous/

If you guys try the .ini file or make a similar setup on FacetrackNoIR I'd like to hear your experience. As for me I'm totally loving this as it adds an extra dimension to the game which is cheaper than other hardware setup as long as you have a webcam already.

Thanks for that, will have a look. I just picked up a super cheap PS3 Eyetoy camera and it works really well with FTNoIR and ED.

Schoolboy · Dec 8, 2014

Kyokushin said:
If you want totally free and much more precize than any camera-based solutions, alternative you can use smartphone gyroscope based headtracking:

Here is GUIDE:
https://forums.frontier.co.uk/showthread.php?t=58760

Thats looks interesting I'll give that a go as i have an old 7" tablet I no longer use. maybe i can get it setup and make some use out of it.

Schoolboy · Dec 17, 2014

Bump:

For all the new CMDR also that i've had a lot of good experience with the sony PS3 eye cam as it can do 640x480 at 60fps so much more accurate. Using this in dog fights adds a whole new dimension.

Space Elmo · Dec 17, 2014

I use a ps3 eyetoy camera with Facetracknoir and it works a treat now. Just need to adjust the curves a bit and its slightly jittery

Schoolboy · Dec 17, 2014

Space Elmo said:
I use a ps3 eyetoy camera with Facetracknoir and it works a treat now. Just need to adjust the curves a bit and its slightly jittery

you can grab my .ini files form the video here: http://www.lemon-tea.co.uk/games/elite-dangerous/ to to look at the Accela Filter Mk2 curves i've changed which i find works well. See if it works for you.

PGleesonuk · Dec 17, 2014

Schoolboy said:
So I was looking for a cheap alternative to IR head tracking or using the Oculus rift. So I stumbled on FaceTrackNoIR which is a great bit of software for head tracking. I've done some setup for Elite Dangerous to make it more responsive and to fit in the cockpit view of the ships in ED.

I've created a video on how to use my save for you rig setup. I've been using it most of last week and found that dog fighting was more fun that I could look all around the cockpit.

Heres the youtube link
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u4-Ec0rW9rE

For both .ini files you can find the download link here:
http://www.lemon-tea.co.uk/games/elite-dangerous/

If you guys try the .ini file or make a similar setup on FacetrackNoIR I'd like to hear your experience. As for me I'm totally loving this as it adds an extra dimension to the game which is cheaper than other hardware setup as long as you have a webcam already.

Have you found a away to toggle the head tracking on and off with a joystick button?
I've bound buttons to the headlook toggle but this does not work.
Unless I turn tracking off in TrackNoIR, head tracking is always on in ED

Schoolboy · Dec 17, 2014

PGleesonuk said:
Have you found a away to toggle the head tracking on and off with a joystick button?
I've bound buttons to the headlook toggle but this does not work.
Unless I turn tracking off in TrackNoIR, head tracking is always on in ED

The only way to do it is bind it to one of the preset keyboard button on the drop down and if your stick can be mapped to a key press bind then map it to that. Other than that I have the on/off and recenter mapped to numpad 0,numpad 1 and numpad 2 so its just infront of my flight stick.

PGleesonuk · Dec 17, 2014

Schoolboy said:
The only way to do it is bind it to one of the preset keyboard button on the drop down and if your stick can be mapped to a key press bind then map it to that. Other than that I have the on/off and recenter mapped to numpad 0,numpad 1 and numpad 2 so its just infront of my flight stick.

Not quite sure I understand. What do you mean with a "preset keyboard button"? Is this in TrackNoIR or in the Elite control options?

Are you "numpad 0,numpad 1 and numpad 2" mappings in the TrackNoIR settings?

Schoolboy · Dec 17, 2014

in FacetrackNoIR in shortkey button (bottom right) you can apply the Keyboard shortcut key, but its a drop down menu of the keyboard so you have no option to select the joystick button. So on some joystick the software that comes with it like my Saitek x-55 I have you can map buttons via macro to a keypress like the image below.

Yes my numpad is map to the FaceTrackNoIR above.

View attachment 5015

Bigcheese · Dec 17, 2014

My trackir package has left the last shipping location and is now "out for delivery"!

Yes, I'm excited.

Schoolboy · Dec 17, 2014

lucky man, I want the TrackIR but cant afford it after shelling out for the joystick. So had to stick with the FaceTrackNoIR which is great till you put a bottle of beer to your face and it freaks out as it loses track of your face lol

Jacksy · Jan 16, 2016

I cant get my tracknoir to even work..when i look at the screen i can see myself and the lights but the raw input data does not change.

Jacksy · Jan 21, 2016

Anyone ale to help me set this FaceTrackNoIR up please?

cheers

Cronod · Jan 21, 2016

I use facetrackNoIr with a home made IR led clip (from ebay, around 20€ if i remember correctly) and a ps3 camera with IR filter removed and i have to say that work just amazing with any light condition. I will really raccomend to build or buy one of those clips if you have tracking problems.

Jacksy · Feb 20, 2016

no one willing to help me with my tacknoir?

M. Grey · Feb 20, 2016

THIS video tutorial worked really good for me.

Jacksy · Feb 21, 2016

I managed to get it going cheers..only problem is now the movement of looking left, right, up and down is really fast...how do i slow it down and smooth that out please?

M. Grey · Feb 21, 2016

Jacksy said:
I managed to get it going cheers..only problem is now the movement of looking left, right, up and down is really fast...how do i slow it down and smooth that out please?

You do this in FacetrackNoIR under "Curves" (bottom left). Here you can change the output and make a deadzone.
Input = Head movement in °
Output = Camera movement in ° ingame aka Headlook
Deadzone = Input starting at > 0° - my curves start at ~2,5°

My settings for example: