The Cube

Still some tweaking that needs to be done, but in this video I have the textures turned on high along with visibilty.

My video taking is not very good yet... you really need 2 to take a large view like this.. and fly!

Hi Flim,

Here are the files (again) that will help me to explain the monitorsetup.lua to you(via skype). - and why it is done like it is done , and why we can't change very much the order of the viewports.

Also have a browser with this video open when we talk:

And here is the lua.

Pay special attention to the "local Helios_width = 1280" line

Changing the numbers in it will allow you to change the size of your Helios monitor without to re-edit each viewport.

So you can have for example a 1920x1080 monitor at position X:0/Y:0 in your desktop and also change it very easy if you need room for additional exports or a second monitor that comes before the Projectors.

_ = function(p) return p; end;

name = _('Flim New');

Description = 'Crazy stuff'

 

 

local Helios_width = 1280

 

 

Viewports =

{

front =

-- Monitor 2(projecting front) @ Helios_width+0,0 / 1280x720

{

x = 0 + Helios_width;

y = 0;

width = 1280;

height = 1280;

viewDx = 0;

viewDy = 0;

aspect = 1;

},

--]]

 

back_left =

-- Monitor 3(projecting left) @ Helios_width+1280,0 / 1280x720

{

x = 840 + Helios_width;

y = 0;

width = 660;

height = 1280;

viewDx = -2;

viewDy = 0;

aspect = 1;

},

--]]

 

left =

-- Monitor 3(projecting left) @ Helios_width+1280,0 / 1280x720

{

x = 1500 + Helios_width;

y = 0;

width = 1060;

height = 1280;

viewDx = -1;

viewDy = 0;

aspect = 1;

},

--]]

 

top =

-- Monitor 4(projecting top) @ Helios_width+2560,0 / 1280x720

-- Must be turned 180° by GPU/desktop properties or Projector!!!

{

x = 2560 + Helios_width;

y = 0;

width = 1280;

height = 1060;

viewDx = 2;

viewDy = 1;

aspect = 1;

},

--]]

right =

-- Monitor 5(projecting right) @ Helios_width+3840,0 / 1280x720

{

x = 3840 + Helios_width;

y = 0;

width = 1060;

height = 1280;

viewDx = 1;

viewDy = 0;

aspect = 1;

},

--]]

 

back_right =

-- Monitor 5(projecting right) @ Helios_width+3840,0 / 1280x720

{

x = 4900 + Helios_width;

y = 0;

width = 660;

height = 1280;

viewDx = 2;

viewDy = 0;

aspect = 1;

},

--]]

}

 

GUI =

-- Monitor 1( for GUI and Helios) @ 0,0 / Helios_width x Helios Height

{

x = 0;

y = 0;

width = Helios_width;

height = 720;

}

 

UIMainView = GUI

Here is

"Plan B"

if the FPS hit is too much:

(no back view-ports)

_ = function(p) return p; end;

name = _('Flim New Plan B');

Description = 'Crazy stuff'

 

 

local Helios_width = 1280

 

 

Viewports =

{

 

front =

-- Monitor 2(projecting front) @ Helios_width+0,0 / 1280x720

{

x = 0 + Helios_width;

y = 0;

width = 1280;

height = 1280;

viewDx = 0;

viewDy = 0;

aspect = 1;

},

--]]

 

 

left =

-- Monitor 3(projecting left) @ Helios_width+1280,0 / 1280x720

{

x = 1500 + Helios_width;

y = 0;

width = 1280;

height = 1280;

viewDx = -1;

viewDy = 0;

aspect = 1;

},

--]]

 

top =

-- Monitor 4(projecting top) @ Helios_width+2560,0 / 1280x720

-- Must be turned 180° by GPU/desktop properties or Projector!!!

{

x = 2560 + Helios_width;

y = 0;

width = 1280;

height = 1280;

viewDx = 2;

viewDy = 1;

aspect = 1;

},

--]]

 

right =

-- Monitor 5(projecting right) @ Helios_width+3840,0 / 1280x720

{

x = 3840 + Helios_width;

y = 0;

width = 1280;

height = 1280;

viewDx = 1;

viewDy = 0;

aspect = 1;

},

--]]

 

 

}

 

GUI =

-- Monitor 1( for GUI and Helios) @ 0,0 / Helios_width x Helios Height

{

x = 0;

y = 0;

width = Helios_width;

height = 720;

}

 

UIMainView = GUI

Edit#2:

And here is the "Fix" you will need to run the launcher Windowed when you Use a Eyefinty5 fullscreen setting. - So, the launcher isn't srpead across all screens.

>>> http://forums.eagle.ru/showthread.php?p=1447505#post1447505

Hi Flim,

made a SketchUp model with the new PM'ed dimensions

7 ft wide by 7 ft long x 74 inches

, so you can see how the Beams goes and how much room is left for the pit.

>>> http://www.mediafire.com/?9f46gbb9frlg5hv

Cool man!

I haven't posted yet, but Gadroc and I have figured out a box structure that would fit in my sim room and his. We are going to do the same build so we can work through the tweaks together as we build the pits. This design can work for a lot of people with spare rooms. Today I'm working on finishing the frame in 2x4's and 1/8th fiberboard.

Again, Peter is awesome !

Today I'm working on finishing the frame in 2x4's and 1/8th fiberboard.

Before you make your first cut - or something that you cant revert back without buying again...:

There are some huge disadvantages by going from a 9 feet square to a 7feet square. And I don't want that you will regret it soon.

I will set up my system in a way so you can watch my desktop and sketch-up via Skype, so I can show it to you in detail and we can discuss them.

You can already make some of them out when examine the model closely.

(I now don't have time to write it all down)

I'm in approx 1,5 hours home again.

Flim,

Before you make your first cut - or something that you cant revert back without buying again...:

There are some huge disadvantages by going from a 9 feet square to a 7feet square.

I will set up my system in a way so you can watch my desktop and sketch-up via Skype, so I can show it to you in detail and we can discuss them.

You can already make some of them out when examine the model closely.

(I now don't have time to write it all down)

 

I'm in approx 1,5 hours home again.

Okay man, ring me when you get home!

We based this on Gadroc's basement and the beams of the gt750...

ok,

in the meantime:

Sit down in your ejection-seat and take a position that you use most.

Than please measure for me your eye-level-position from the floor.

Need this measure to verify some thoughts.

EDIT

I will prepare a 7 feet cube and a 8.5 feet cube to show the differences.

Hey Gadroc,

can you post the dims of the pit and head position?

I think the head was around 55 inches in the seat.

The foot print of the pit on the floor is 56" front to back and 53.375" right to left. The ACES needs about 6" min clearance behind the pit floor foot print. Eye point in the pit is roughly 16" from the rear of the pit floor outline and 55" up from the floor.

I can make an 8ft x 8ft cube work but I can't go any taller than 80".

Really either size will work... The main views are no problem!

The top view is the tough one to get correct.

Can you make me a very quick'n'dirty isometric drawing - would help me to fully understand this sentence "Eye point in the pit is roughly 16" from the rear of the pit floor outline and 55" up from the floor."

Edit: PM'ed you my skype ID so I can give you the info I already passed to Flim.

He is now in the garage and prepares a canvas for a 8.5x8.5 cube .

It will basically also work with 7x7feet - but you have to deal with some problems and make compromises.

I want to discuss this also with you over Skype while showing you my desktop and Models in Sketch-up via a Virtual-Cam.

Yep... I'll get one posted up in a little bit.

@Flim

It might...

 

gt 720 4.5 feet= 87 inch screen

I used these measurements for all my calculations/models up to now.

...and you passed it to me before you ordered the projectors...

So please:

Please verify these above throw-ratio for me again. - so I can make 100% fitting models.

I need the real maximal angel the projectors are capable of.

The best thing would be if you level the Projector out in front of a wall and make the picture as wide as you can and angle it down as much as you can.

Than measure the distance lens-wall and tell me how wide and high the Image is as exact you can. (preferable in metric units = meters/centimetres)

check this out... let me know how this changes things....

http://www.projectorcentral.com/Optoma-GT750-projection-calculator-pro.htm?haveflashipromise

Ok - I can work with it.

It doesn't change things for you - the canvas don't needs to be changed . Stay with 8.5 feet.

, but this gets very important for Gadroc, as he has a smaller room - and it's very important to know how the light-beams will be aligned .

...and right now it seems that he will have to make some compromises with the ideal Viewpoint.

Flim,

just to let you know :

I verified the 8.5x8.5 model with the Beamer web-calculator,

and it looks everything fine and 'we' are within the limits.

You don't have to modify the height of the Pit Assembly at all! (scratch the comment of mine via skype- I made again a imperial to metric calculation failure that let mars-rockets explode and worlds collide ...I'm really not good at counting in spoons,cups,elbows and feet! :))

The pit has also enough clearance in front for a first surface mirror if the top-projector cant be mounted facing up .

..and a canopy-frame-mock-up is also possible.

I will make a "final" sketchup model for Friday.

So you can grab the measurements for the projector positions +/- 6inch relative to your Box.

Maybe you have finished the canvas-box until then.

...damn! I really wish I could join you and make my hands also dirty while getting this jewel running...:)

@ Gadroc

Please post the next days a bottom-up image of the pit .

So I get also the exact footprint.

Here is the eye-point diagram from the top view of the pit.

All measurements and how to place the projectors:

(the placement of the projector lens is based on the web-calculator,... so please take it all with a pinch of salt...)

>>> Cube 8.5ft final.skb

Edit:

Here is how to place your first-surface mirror if you cant mount the top-projector facing up.

You will have to cut a a hole in the front canvas- and make sure that you have enough clearance to the wall:

Don't worry - you don't get blinded by the light...

The mirror is also covered by the front-dash when you have taken seat.

>>> Cube 8.5 mirror final.skb

This is mind boggling guys.

And there is something more: Showed your YouTube to significant other and surprisingly received " well you can do that too, right? Does this fits into our small room?". So I have room if I'm willing to make a certain significant sacrifice and bunch of small ones like not having that room as office. Decisions...

Regardless, go or no go, im already planning this out. The room us 10 by 9, standard US height. I assume 720p projectors were chosen for better game performance? Any way to do with less then 4, concern is not cost but more heat, noise (but then I guess it is moot diff between 3 or 4) and again performance.

Flim and I are working on adjusting things to work in a 7' cube for easier build and fit. It will require some modifications to our pits to sit lower. An 8' cube is easier for projector placement and pit building, but is just a tad to large to fit into a normal sized US room. A 7' cube could fit in most US bedrooms / basements.

3 projectors would mean you loose the top view.

So not projecting on wall itself then? I figured that with this kind of cube a room is entirely used anyways ( not like you could put a couch there) . But I guess it is easier to manage the projection surface, no wall sockets, hanging lights and such.and the projectors themselves are mounted outside of view (I assume).

But then there is a cube sitting in midlle ... sigh...

Bingo. Also it allows you to manage lighting as well.

Also I have to send a big thanks out to PeterP! He's spent a lot of time on this and spent plenty of time via Skype with Flim and myself explaining his process and formulas.

Cube sitting in middle of the room, that will be hard to sell...

the front can be the wall itself... two removable panels on sides, sturdy enough to hold a projector. removable top panel or perhaps project on to the ceiling itself (clear of light fixtures) if side panels go all the way up... only one removable panel if the other side is wall itself (with visible projector...) overhead instrumentation of the shark is out of question as it will be casting shadows.

sorry guys i'm thinking aloud in your thread, its mind boggling. And the scariest thing that it looks like it might be doable...