April 21st, 2011 by Jim Spadaccini
This will be the last installment of this series on our multitouch wall project here at the Ideum studio. Next month, we’ll be able to show you the exhibit installed. For the last two weeks we’ve been working on blending the two high-resolution images and the infrared illumination and tracking. Also, yesterday we began to pack up the pieces for shipping.
Blending the two high-resolution projectors has taken a bit of time. The two projectors are dVision 35 WQXGA XB LED projectors by Digital Projection. The blending hardware is also from Digital Projection. The combined resolution of our round, 7 foot projected images is 2560 x 2560. Before settling on a hardware solution, we tried a few different blending methods using software. One of the software methods we first explored, used corners of the two projected images to calibrate. Sort of a non-starter when your image is round! The blending hardware we are using is Digital Projection’s Fusion 3D hardware.
In the photograph above you can see one of the calibration tests. Paul Lacey (Senior Multitouch Engineer at Ideum) and Chris Steinmetz (Support Specialist at Ideum) are examining a test blend.
Infrared Illumination and tracking was another major challenge. As we mentioned in our last blog post (See Part 3), we’re using low-powered lasers for illumination. For tracking we are using NUITEQ’s SnowFlake Software. The software will use the four cameras (See Part 2) to track the IR touch points on the wall’s surface. The IR cameras we are using are from Point Grey.
The photograph above shows a calibration test using Snowflake software which works with Point Grey cameras and supports four camera input.
Finally, packing up all of these materials for shipment is a major task in itself. Many of the items are extremely fragile, such as the 7 foot acrylic projection screen. Others, like the large ring are just hard to handle and move.
The round acrylic projection surface needed to be wrapped very carefully for transport.
The 10mm haptic glass is both fragile (when not mounted) and heavy.
The ring itself is several hundred pounds. Here we are preparing it to be moved.
In the next post, we’ll show you the installation! Also, we’ll finally be able to share the name of the aquarium that has partnered with us to develop the exhibit. (They gave permission to share the progress, but wanted their name kept private until the exhibition opens.) To see the previous steps in the process check out: Building a High-Resolution Multitouch Wall Part 1, Part 2 and Part 3.
April 11th, 2011 by Jim Spadaccini
Late last month, we quietly introduced our new MT55 HD Multitouch Table. Today our first production unit shipped with many more headed out this week and next. (US and Canada only for now.) The table is major step forward with a huge 55″ HD LED LCD display in a hardened case which is less than 3 inches thick!
The multitouch table is a fully integrated, hardened system and it includes an integrated HP computer with a three-year warranty. It has single button operation, integrated power and cooling, a UPS back-up system, controllable LED under-lighting, and even a Bose audio system. The table also comes with the GestureWorks multitouch SDK. (You can see the full specifications on our MT55 HD product page.)
Last week, we unveiled the MT55 HD at the Museums and the Web conference in Philadelphia. We are now preparing for the American Association of Museums (AAM) conference and we have designed an ad for the conference program. Here’s a sneak peak of the full-page MT55 HD advertisement:
This week we are working on a polished promotional video that will show off all the features of the MT55 HD. Right now, we have a short video of the MT55 HD in action and a few photographs on our Flickr site (see the MT55 HD Multitouch Table set). Watch for our promotional video, we’ll be posting it very soon.
April 8th, 2011 by Chad Person
cross posted from Open Exhibits Blog
Open Exhibits has just passed 4,000 software downloads! If you’re not a programmer, or you haven’t downloaded the code, yet – we thought we’d give you an idea of what you may be missing.
This video demonstrates several of the free multitouch software modules already posted on the Open Exhibits site. These modules are designed to simplify Flash and ActionScript exhibit development, and many are compatible with the Microsoft Kinect (using MT-Kinect). The source code for every module shown in the video can be downloaded today on the Open Exhibits Software page.
We demonstrated the software on the TRu Touch 21.5″ multitouch monitor from Touch Revolution and 3M M2256PW 22″ display.
Open Exhibits modules require Open Exhibits Core SDK (free for museums, non-profits, and educational use). The software modules can be used commercially with GestureWorks SDK.
We’ll continue to post videos as we release new software. If you have any comments or feedback, we’d love to hear from you.
April 5th, 2011 by Chad Person
The MT-50 multitouch table by Ideum
This post is cross-posted from Open Exhibits
Designed for museums, research labs, and other demanding public environments, the MT-50 Multitouch Table, now discontinued, stood in a class of its own as the most durable and reliable multitouch table available. With 60+ points of input, a powerful computer, and true multiuser support, the MT-50 Table found its place on the floors of busy museums in North America and beyond.
We’ve already leaked details and hinted at the secret recipe that made the MT-50 a success. Now, on the heels of the release of our new multitouch table, we have decided to “open source” the complete plans and parts list for the MT-50 table.
Countless hours of research and refinement have gone into producing the MT-50 table. This system is projection based, and uses optical multitouch technology to create interactivity. The components have been carefully sourced for optimum durability, performance, and longevity. However, the design is modular, so some of the parts and materials suggested can be substituted for less expensive, less rugged alternatives at your discretion.
We’ve taken great care to document every step and design detail in this PDF. It’s our hope that ambitous museum staffers and DIY multitouch enthusiasts will benefit from this document and the research and engineering that made the MT-50 a multitouch workhorse.
You can download the complete parts list and DIY assembly instructions here:
Please comment on this post with any questions, or refer to the comment thread on Instructables.
