Easy Head Tracking on a Budget

Рет қаралды 73,139

Жыл бұрын

Heading equipment can be expensive, But what if I told you like already have everything you need at home right now to get amazing head tracking in games like Elite dangerous Star Citizen or Microsoft Flight Simulator.
github.com/opentrack/opentrac...
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Пікірлер: 249

@FOVAirsoft 11 ай бұрын

This might be the first time I've ever heard "you can use items you likely have at home" and actually had it at home.

@brankojakobovic 8 ай бұрын

I'm starting to get into DCS and i was getting depressed by the price of IR trackers & VR sets. You sir are a legend. Thank you!

@gabetower6165 7 ай бұрын

To be honest I'm actually transitioning from of VR headset to this just because of fatigue of running it. We are headset for the amount of time that you're in DCS. Just awful

@ElliotSmh 7 ай бұрын

@@gabetower6165how does it function with helmet mounted displays and helicopter sights like the apache? its very hard to properly aim close enough for me. cant even aim a heat seeker with HMD

@intra532 7 ай бұрын

180 bucks just to look around is insane. Thats like charging me a 180 dollars to blink in a video game by blinking in real life

@sirrudy1233 3 ай бұрын

Im here for the same reason, does it work well?

@gambapela3419 Жыл бұрын

I love it, I bought a webcam, I followed all your steps and now I enjoy Elite Dangerous more. Greetings from Spain o7

@fiveoneecho Жыл бұрын

This is really cool! I was super excited that Star Citizen even tried any sort of implementation with a webcam for head tracking, and while that system tends to be a little slow to respond, this looks fantastic- and works for anything! I'm definitely going to have to try this in Elite.

@firecat988 Жыл бұрын

Just tried this in DCS in a room with bright sunlight that TrackIR didn’t like. Opentrack worked like a dream

@kashd960 Жыл бұрын

Saw this video in the morning, set it up as soon as I got back from work. This is awesome!

@GeologyJournalism Жыл бұрын

Exactly what I was looking for - and from one of my favorite KZfaqr. Thank you so much, setting it up in one second.

@josephwimerYoYoYo Жыл бұрын

Ahh the wonder of opentrack! Glad to see a video from you on this neat little piece of software!

@EliseyRodriguez Жыл бұрын

That's a really awesome and budget (well, free) solution. Thanks to you for highlighting such a great open source stuff.

@wb2463 Жыл бұрын

Brilliant video! I heard of your channel when you were on the last episode of Space Tomato's podcast and then KZfaq prompted me with an ad, so I came to see if your content was worth my time, and I'm happy to say you absolutely knocked it out of the park with this one. there's so few budget conscious videos when it comes to set up for these space sims (I'm an SC player), so this is much appreciated, keep it up!

@krozareq 4 ай бұрын

As someone who prefers head tracking over eye tracking, this is a great option for space and flight simmers. Tinkered with a ESP32 WiFi board and a GY-521 accelerometer. Sewed it into a headband. Works well but this approach has obvious advantages. Nothing to put on, no batteries to deal with, and no WiFi latency (never had much issue here with simulators, but certain gamers may find it intolerable). While games can become desynchronized from what the external OpenTrack is telling it, this removes the variable of accelerometer drift from the equation. The weight is all in the batteries but to make it feel good it has to be balanced out on both sides by using 2 batteries. Was a fun project to do, but this clearly wins IMO. The only advantage of using a development board and accelerometers is it's more efficient on resources than decoding video that has to be processed through NeuralNet. Although with modern hardware, that's likely less of an issue.

@burtpanzer 4 күн бұрын

So, can this method be used with a HTC headset or just with monitors? I have an older headset without trackers.

@fluffy537 Жыл бұрын

WOW!!! This is great. Makes the immersion in Elite so much better.

@blackeagle5422 Жыл бұрын

This is AWESOME!! I'm going to configure this for sure. Thank you for this.

@EricFischnaller Жыл бұрын

I’ve been enjoying an ED Tracker for a long time but many of my friends want one but they’re no longer available. LOVE this solution. Thanks so much for sharing!

@rocket2739 Жыл бұрын

Incredible, a working software and a great tutorial to go with it 😱 After looking for this for months, TYSM !!!! To everyone reading this : CUSTOMIZE the mapping curves to your taste !! For example, I have one setup which I call "full range" which covers almost the maximum ingame movements (shoulder to shoulder, and roof to thighs), and another "minimum" which, when I move my head a lot, only does minimal adjustments and is purely for comfort. When I go mining or sightseeing, I use my "full range" setup, and when I go and do missions, trading, or combat, I prefer the "minimum" setup. BONUS Tip : click on the middle of the slope to create a second point, which transforms the linear slopes into smoother and more rounded curves ; right click on it to make the point disappear.

@FrazzleCat 17 күн бұрын

This is godlike. I've been wanting something like this for ages but no one ever informed me of it. Many thanks! Obviously subbed.

@Flyingwreck Жыл бұрын

I rarely have a urge to comment, but I had to this time! Thanks for sharing this solution. I hate having IR caps on, so I made it work and never used it again. This will be a game changer for me!

@ravenheartwraith 11 ай бұрын

just got into dcs, on a budget, this is amazing thanks! works great.

@maxineloveman5519 11 ай бұрын

Perfect guide, thank you! Got it working amazingly in MSFS

@cptcarot Жыл бұрын

Great, thanks for that. I have been looking at head tracking options. I've got a few spare webcam, so I'll be giving this a go. Love free/cheap solutions. 😉 Thanks 😊

@Th3Bishop3 Жыл бұрын

Thanks so much for this Dave! There's alot of games I'd want to use this on as well as elite.

@barrycompton8972 Жыл бұрын

Amazing. Love this. I wish I could bookmark this for when I try it out.

@CMDR_Padoh Жыл бұрын

Wow, definitely be playing with that. Thanks Astro

@slingitsideways Жыл бұрын

Been using this for a couple of months now since JnTracks mentioned it on Loose Screws. It's been a game changer for me, as close to vr as you can get for free. All I'd add to this is make sure your room is well lit, as it can have trouble tracking if it's too dark or the light source is off to one side like it'll track better one way than the other.

@ghostabastard2208 Жыл бұрын

Thats awesome stuff, thanks for sharing!

@WalcirAugustoWehrle 8 ай бұрын

Thank you, great and simple explanation on how to use it !

@coviper0019 Жыл бұрын

This is amazing! I already have a Tobii for myself, however my son needs a solution so he can also have head tracking in Star Citizen!

@peterschmitz4308 Жыл бұрын

I've been using for DCS and this is a great tool. You really did a great job at explaining how to customize. Thanks

@flynnmiller4224 Жыл бұрын

Im looking into this for dcs and im wondering if when you move your head forward it zooms in like track IR

@peterschmitz4308 Жыл бұрын

@@flynnmiller4224 Sorry, haven't been on YT in awhile. Yes, it tracks in the Z axis

@BeastyBill88 Жыл бұрын

Great tutorial abd info, ive been looking at getting head tracking for American truck sim and Euro truck sim but didnt want to spend hundreds on the trackir or tobii. I tried it with my phone but couldnt get it to work but will definitely try with a webcam. Thanks!

@zolaries04 Жыл бұрын

Oh man. Thank you so much for this! This will make things a lot easier! (looking at you gankers!)

@TaSwavo Жыл бұрын

Really great. And perfect timing as I just got a new webcam :)

@keranao Жыл бұрын

amazing solution for cheap tracking! thanks a lot for that! (and easy to setup, i mapped the curves as an "S" to have smoother moves (you just need to click on curve to have other "node" that you can play with))

@Medi0cr3- Жыл бұрын

Where's this at under mapping? Dont see anything

@rvdy4638 Жыл бұрын

@@Medi0cr3- im hvaing the same issue, open track sets up find but couldnt find it in star citizen. did you find a fix?

@user57675 Жыл бұрын

Oh, they hit a new level? Great! Thank you!

@EricMcCoy Жыл бұрын

Thanks, great concise video!

@jeffwright5303 6 ай бұрын

This is a game changer for SC, great setup instructions as always dummy proof.

@MrTarrasque 8 ай бұрын

Installed it, woks very good. Thanks!

@kadimakalgar7087 Жыл бұрын

Awesome ! Thank you DEA 🤩!

@5675venom0666 3 ай бұрын

Thank you so much for this video!!!

@Halz0holic Жыл бұрын

This have improved so much since I last tried opentrack

@plflaherty1 Жыл бұрын

WOW! Thank you Sir!

@r4microds 16 күн бұрын

If you have android 14 or later on your smartphone, you can plug it in and use your cameras as a webcam, plug and play, no drivers or anything required.

@Hasmo_ 9 ай бұрын

TYSM IVE BEEN LOOKING FOR THIS

@oreste1964 6 ай бұрын

Wow, years ago I tried a program like this with my camera but I wasn't successful, it all seems so easy to see you. I'll try again, thanks.

@meddymonox4298 9 ай бұрын

great fast, easy explained big thank youu!!

@user-yl3hz7up4t Жыл бұрын

Thanks Astro! Been really looking forward to this video. And to anyone who can't get opentrack to show the camera after clicking start, you may have to add an exception to your anti-vires to allow optrack access to your camera.

@bigbrain3150 11 ай бұрын

When installing Opentrack, my windows defender antivirus strongly suggests it's a malicious program, are you 100% sure i can download it safely? I would really love to use this tracker, but i'm afraid of viruses :(

@crimsonmug9106 11 ай бұрын

@@bigbrain3150 I've had it on my computer since the day this video was posted and haven't had an issue.

@bigbrain3150 11 ай бұрын

@@crimsonmug9106 Thank you so much!

@cmdrc-dweller3103 Жыл бұрын

Awesome Astro. Will definitely try this. O7🙏

@John_Krone Жыл бұрын

Great solution and tutorial. Thanks

@ThiagoTPK Жыл бұрын

Oh man.... thanks for sharing that ! Going to try as soon possible :D o7

@burtpanzer 3 күн бұрын

If I understand correctly, the direction associated with the head movement is displayed on a monitor running a sim or 3D environment, which requires us to have the screen remain in view, sort of the opposite of a field sobriety test. Your head moves but not your eyes.

@martianmuppet Ай бұрын

Thankyou sir, very helpful. Cheers!

@stefanhartmann3544 6 ай бұрын

Very helpful. Thanks!

@BeardofOz Жыл бұрын

This is Amazing dude, thank you so much! o7

@simonewing4222 Жыл бұрын

Awesome video, thankyou!

@OurLifeisaMiracle Жыл бұрын

THANK YOU! That is AWESOME!

@johnb9287 2 ай бұрын

Thank you very much for this video! My wife is happy you've just saved me hundreds of dollars!

@SN3Gaming_ Жыл бұрын

I tried it awhile back and didn't like how it was working but I had no idea how to use the settings, so this guide really helps, I do want to try it on iracing too

@GUNSXGAMING 9 ай бұрын

Amazing video! Saved me hella money!

@xsara253 Жыл бұрын

Good Job man!

@ChrisM541 Жыл бұрын

This is fantastic. Huge thanks for the heads-up (pardon the pun).

@Win_1073 6 ай бұрын

Thank you, i see others using smooth track but i dont want to spend any money but you did it for free thank you

@thepathnotfound Жыл бұрын

I read about this on Reddit some time back, but your video goes a long way toward illustrating what to do. Thx

@stevens3174 Ай бұрын

Brilliant!!! Thanks!!!!

@alfatipo 8 ай бұрын

Just as FOVAirsoft below, I also has an older (25+ year Logitec) camera tucked away. Works like a charm. Now i just have to get used to it! Thankyou.

@BluesAdam 3 ай бұрын

Isn't technology amazing. I remember when I was a college student back in 2008, the only option was building a weird contraption with 3 IR leds strapped to your headset or cap. Even than tracking was iffy from time to time. Now with neural network and AI stuff, we can just do this with great ease. Amazing!

@1337Unlucky 9 ай бұрын

this is awesome ty! it worked out!

@AdastraRecordings Жыл бұрын

Going straight to amazon to order a webcam, thanks for the tip.

@Peter0hneWolf Жыл бұрын

its amazing thanks man! love you

@bubo1 Жыл бұрын

got to say, this is pretty damn awesome

@Jaaaarod 10 ай бұрын

That's what is I wants. Thank a lot dude :D.

@graw4868 Жыл бұрын

Brilliant. Thanks. Worling for me on Elite Horizons with our old camera.

@Hypnotic6 6 ай бұрын

Great dude one big 💓 for the video :0

@blackspartan765 Жыл бұрын

Very informative good video

@kosmouz 6 ай бұрын

thnx a lot! this is lifechanger.i will try it on DCS World and hopefully it will work on my bf109 like a magic.

@MrJustinz 4 ай бұрын

Great vid tysm ❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤

@JesterNR1 Жыл бұрын

This is pretty cool.

@CaptainBrash 6 ай бұрын

Awesome, I've been wondering about this stuff. Thanks for the video, will definitely give it a look. Do you find it valuable in combat scenarios or is it mostly just best for immersion while flying?

@notchkali9892 Жыл бұрын

The thumbnail is hilarious 😂

@julianking470 Жыл бұрын

Mate you are the best !!!

@gruntext 5 ай бұрын

Thank you so much.

@nathandavies2677 7 ай бұрын

Thank you!

@cmdrclassified Жыл бұрын

That's great! I personally use VR for ED, but I can see this being a benefit for those on a budget. It will give people a far better experience in a lot of games. And head tracking in ED also gets rid of the annoying camera movements in the cockpit (Which is why I find it hard to play on a monitor. I know, the irony is not lost on me! LOL) Have a great day, Sir! o7

@josephwimerYoYoYo Жыл бұрын

As much as I like the easy setup of a standard monitor and TrackIR5, when I tried ED in VR it was mind blowing. Getting out of the chair and standing on the deck of my ship and looking out through the windows was just jaw dropping.

@cmdrclassified Жыл бұрын

@@josephwimerYoYoYo I hear that! I was about 50 hrs in to ED when I found out it supported VR. By the time I was 65hrs in, I had the Oculus DK2! And I was hooked! Upgraded to the Rift, and now I am using the Pimax 5K+! I have over 7K hours now, and all in VR! I literally can't play the game in pancake vision now! Please feel free to tell me your thoughts on the game, and the hardware you're running. Have a great day, Commander! o7

@thepathnotfound Жыл бұрын

@@josephwimerYoYoYo playing ED you can walk around I your ship with VR ?

@dropk1ck825 Жыл бұрын

@@thepathnotfound Pico 4 VR

@stevenboughner7255 Жыл бұрын

I have a Tobii eye tracker which I really like but would try this on another monitor. Looks like it works well.

@Dazza_Doo 8 ай бұрын

Thank you for this - I have Track IR, but it's not accurate in the Sun, Camera based tracking loves light. Star Citizen is doing the Face-Track with character mouth manipulation, but sometimes I prefer to be separate from the in game built in tracking.

@84Jastrzab 7 ай бұрын

Mindblowing :D

@ChadSutton Жыл бұрын

Great information! I use OpenTrack, but I don't use the internal headtracking. It can really mess with my FPS in game by using too much CPU. Instead I use SmoothTrack on my phone, which does all the CPU intensive stuff there and just sends the XYZ data. It is much lighter and I get about 4-8 more FPS that way.

@bubbles1525_ 7 ай бұрын

4-8fps is nothing

@ChadSutton 7 ай бұрын

@@bubbles1525_ Not on a lower end system! Every 10% improvement that I can get is a good thing :)

@exemjazhuel3428 6 ай бұрын

awesome bro

@strac2534 8 ай бұрын

Omg!!!!!!! tomorow i run in my attic looking for a web cam . Ty

@dupasmokagaming700 3 ай бұрын

I have even managed to use my cellphone as a webcam - and it also works with this software! Today's evening I'm going to test how does it work. Super excited - not gonna lie :D

@TheForce_Productions 3 ай бұрын

So, how it was?

@dupasmokagaming700 3 ай бұрын

@@TheForce_Productions I need to say that pretty well. Actually I liked it that much that I have bought the cheapest webcam on a market ~5EUR - because I didn't want to use my phone for that.

@jjpom9538 10 ай бұрын

this is WAY awesome

@jsstt 13 күн бұрын

loved this video, it works!! Any tip on how to improve input lag? Like, I turn my head, and it takes a bit long to track

@RTMLaboratory 12 күн бұрын

Just give Headmob tracker app a try and you'll thank me later lol. It’s all free and you’ll be amazed at how accurate it is

@entertainmenttonight5049 3 ай бұрын

Less than a year after your post -- a first for me. Thanks for the idea, just got a webcam for Windows Hello facial recognition for easier unlocking and now realized I could also use it for E:D!

@burtpanzer 4 күн бұрын

I wouldn't use the MS Hello, tracking head movements doesn't require facial recognition.

@jimrooper9867 Жыл бұрын

wow thx a just sold my Vr ( not for me ) and this is great alternative. !

@TonyBloke Жыл бұрын

I've been using this for a couple of years, partly with E:D but mainly for ETS2, with the additional step of running AITrack to handle the input and pass it through to OpenTrack using 'UDP over Network' as the source, with the same output as you're using. Still haven't tried it with SC yet, but I don't forsee any hiccups. The only caveat with passing the input over the network is that running certain VPNs messes with it (hello Nord! Worked fine with PIA...) so need to be disabled when running this.

@martinmenso6671 4 ай бұрын

Hey and great video! I have a question, is it possible to make OpenTrack reset or recenter when the head tracking is lost, perhaps even if the head tracking is lost for more than x amount seconds it will recenter? Thanks you

@Liquid_Atlaes Жыл бұрын

🎉 thanks a lot !!!!!

@nigelmorris4769 Жыл бұрын

Awsome tracking tip. Any ideas on how to smooth it out as when I move head it's jerky..

@ComandanteJ Жыл бұрын

This works fine for some games, specially games like Euro Truck Sim where your head movements are gentle. But I tried it for DCS, and the latency alone made it very annoying, not to mention that it only works with the lighs on. And for me, both this and Aitrack where a bit too jittery, and lose track too easily past some very slight angles. Made dogfighting in DCS worse than with just a hat controlling the viewpoint. For me, the best solution is an old webcam, specially sometving like the PS3 Eye, with the IR filter removed, and a TrackIr LED clip, either bought from Amazon or DIY. That gave me zero latency (that i could feel), and, while not perfect, its very stable with larger angles, and not jittery at all.

@crosswindjones Жыл бұрын

Do you use the TrackIR software with this solution? I agree though, the smoothness just isn't quite as good as the IR tracking approach "yet".

@jodypresti94 11 ай бұрын

Serious bummer. Thanks for letting us know@@crosswindjones

@fluffy537 Жыл бұрын

I have seen other people describing using AITrack in combination with OpenTrack. Is this any better or is the vanilla OpenTrack just as good? I'm finding the OpenTrack great except when it occasionally losses your face. The viewpoint jumps all over the place as it tries to find your face again.

@fpsalien 9 ай бұрын

Do I have to have a separate webcam solely for this, or can I use a webcam I am already using. Like can I use my stream webcam at the same time as using this for Opentrack?