Free head tracking with no equipment for Prepar3D v2, v3 – FaceTrackNoIR

[soloraj 38]

It seems that there has not been much written recently about FaceTrackNoIR in the Avsim forums so I thought I’d share my experience.

 

In short, FaceTrackNoIR is head tracking software that requires no hardware other than a webcam. No hat, no led clip, no nothing, it simply recognises your face and the movement of your head and it does an excellent job under many lighting conditions.  I have it working a treat with Prepar3D v3 and FSX SE.  It also works well with ezca.

 

http://facetracknoir.sourceforge.net/home/default.htm

 

Highly recommended.

 

Raj Grover

[tyrodes 29]

Sounds great and thanks for the info.

 

Does it impact FPS?   

[JacquesBrel 639]

I have used FaceTrackNoIR before getting TrackIR, and found that it is OK for being a free utility, but it does have some limitations. Mainly that it relies on your face having enough light so the software can track your head movements, and in my computer room in the evening that wasn't always the case. And your web camera needs to be able to keep focus well when you get up, sit down, or move around in your chair. Those limitations were sometimes frustrating for me. Some other minor inconveniences is that if something temporarily covers part of your face, like for example a glass of beer or a cat licking your face, then the head tracking will unsurprisingly get messed up for a little while.

 

So all in all, I decided that instead of installing more lights, getting a new web camera, shutting the cat out at all times, and stop drinking beer while flying, it would just be more convenient for me to get a TrackIR. Which I did.

 

I'm by no means bashing FaceTrackNoIR in general, I'm just saying it didn't really work for me personally.

[snglecoil 1,828]

Its a cool concept but I also found the face tracking was a little too inconsistent. Ive seen a couple of videos showing an Arduino gyro/accelerometer based that uses FacetrackNoIR to interface with another game. That would be interesting to build.

[vgbaron 3,627]

I also found FTN an "ok" product but not up to the standard of TIR. There were too many small glitches that interfered with the smooth operation of the product.

 

It's better than nothing under the right circumstances.

 

Vic

[Mariopilot 9]

I have tried this in the past...my glasses were enough to upset it sadly... :( perhaps now thy made it better!

[soloraj 38]

If you haven't tried 1.7 it might be worth a go, they've added a new movement filter based on acceleration to remove some of the jumpiness.  I wear glasses and it hasn't been an issue for me.  Anyway it appears YMMV based on other peoples experience.

[yorgosGK 7]

I have it working a treat with Prepar3D v3 and FSX SE.  It also works well with ezca.

 

Hey Soloraj, I have yet to get it to work with V3 & EZCA 1.18.7. I am useing the default.ini and the SimConnect (FSX) protocol in FaceTrackNoIR 1.7.

 

Am I missing something? What did you have to do to get it to work? I am on W10 64Bit on a clean install of P3D v3. Thanks!

[dazzystar 23]

I keep getting an error message about protocol not properly installed...what!

[ffantasy67 51]

 

 

So all in all, I decided that instead of installing more lights, getting a new web camera, shutting the cat out at all times, and stop drinking beer while flying, it would just be more convenient for me to get a TrackIR. Which I did.

 

[TheBoom 31]

I was considering this before I got Track IR, but a major downer is that it doesn't work with Ezdok.

[Demious 23]

V2.0 is out now, who knows what improvement they've made. I'm going to give it another try and see how far they got.