Motion Platforms?

[X93355]

Hi Guys,

 

Anyone here got a motion platform working with DCS and how easy was it to configure? I am thinking about a unit from CKAS in Australia.

 

If anyone also knows if there is much difference between a 3DOF and 6DOF setup i.e. for the cost is a 3DOF setup good enough?

 

Plan is to use this in conjunction with the Rift CS1.

 

Also for those using the Rift now, will motion add in benefit to the Rift (cost benefit etc).

 

Appreciate all and any feedback.

 

Thanks

Craig

[Frusheen]

A note of caution. Be very mindful of the issues with Rift on a motion platform. when the platform changes orientation your view will also change. A 3dof platform for example will lean backward and forward to simulate acceleration and deceleration. This results in the view in game looking up and down. The camera being mounted on the platform will help but it is limited as a greater percentage of the tracking info comes from the headsets internal IMU.

 

I have not tried it personally so I can't comment on how much of an issue it causes but any videos I've watched clearly show the view bouncing around and reacting to the platform movement. This could feel ok or it could be a recipe for serious nausea.

 

There are companies developing external IMUs which can be mounted on the platform to offset the measurements of the unit in the headset. It remains to be seen how well these can be integrated into the oculus runtime. It likely requires a custom SDK which could be problematic with titles which don't natively support it such as DCS.

 

I'm building a G-Seat to ensure I don't run into these issues. I'm using X-Sim which can get its orientation and acceleration data from DCS. I'm still bench testing and can tell you it does take a fair bit of work to get setup correctly.

[bnepethomas]

Hi Guys,

 

Anyone here got a motion platform working with DCS and how easy was it to configure? I am thinking about a unit from CKAS in Australia.

 

If anyone also knows if there is much difference between a 3DOF and 6DOF setup i.e. for the cost is a 3DOF setup good enough?

 

Plan is to use this in conjunction with the Rift CS1.

 

Also for those using the Rift now, will motion add in benefit to the Rift (cost benefit etc).

 

Appreciate all and any feedback.

 

Thanks

Craig

Hi Craig

 

I have had LOMAC working with a CKAS 2dof, its pretty cool. At the time I was just using orientation mode with my bodgy code. Since them have upgraded to a CKAS 6dof which gives an amazing experience if flying Helicopters. Currently CKAS doesn't have a native DCS interface, but it would well be worth asking them if they are up for it.

 

I can't fault CKAS for quality or service.

 

Cheers

 

Peter

[Gazza.Blake]

Nice, how much do these systems cost ?

 

Sort of thing I could use once I get my spare bedroom back.

[bnepethomas]

Nice, how much do these systems cost ?

 

Sort of thing I could use once I get my spare bedroom back.

For what you get they are reasonably priced, given you are a little ways from Melbourne in Oz it would be worth dropping them a line. They now have consumer versions which are much more friendly to the back pocket.

http://www.ckas.com.au/6dof_low_cost_systems_62.html

 

Cheers

 

Peter

[smirkza]

A note of caution. Be very mindful of the issues with Rift on a motion platform. when the platform changes orientation your view will also change. A 3dof platform for example will lean backward and forward to simulate acceleration and deceleration. This results in the view in game looking up and down. The camera being mounted on the platform will help but it is limited as a greater percentage of the tracking info comes from the headsets internal IMU.

 

I have not tried it personally so I can't comment on how much of an issue it causes but any videos I've watched clearly show the view bouncing around and reacting to the platform movement. This could feel ok or it could be a recipe for serious nausea.

 

There are companies developing external IMUs which can be mounted on the platform to offset the measurements of the unit in the headset. It remains to be seen how well these can be integrated into the oculus runtime. It likely requires a custom SDK which could be problematic with titles which don't natively support it such as DCS.

 

I'm building a G-Seat to ensure I don't run into these issues. I'm using X-Sim which can get its orientation and acceleration data from DCS. I'm still bench testing and can tell you it does take a fair bit of work to get setup correctly.

 

 

I haven't tried it myself, but this chap (and several others) have 6dof motion sims in use with the rift. They simply mount the receiver to the platform, with no external systems to change orientation. They have reported that there are no issues for either flying or racing doing this.

 

I was worried about this problem too - but now I'm fairly confident that motion platforms will work very nicely with VR.

 

If anything, they say motion sickness is reduced in the people they demo them to.

 

Cheers,

 

Smirkza

[X93355]

Just received the CKAS prcing and the units are very tidy:

 

3DOF U2 Small unit around $13000 AUD shipped to NZ (+ import taxes etc).

 

6DOF W3 around $19500 AUD shipped to NZ (+ import taxes etc)

 

6DOF W6 around $33000 AUD shipped to NZ (+ taxes)

 

Without dedicated DCS integration it makes it a bit of a risk.

[skunk160]

I'm always suspicious when something is described as affordable but there's no price on the website

 

are your quotes above missing a decimal point?

[X93355]

I'm always suspicious when something is described as affordable but there's no price on the website

 

are your quotes above missing a decimal point?

 

Nope that is the correct pricing I received yesterday. That is the home simulator modules but the W3 and W6 units look very robust. And those prices include shipping to NZ

[Frusheen]

They say that it can interface with X-sim which does support DCS.

[smirkza]

Just received the CKAS prcing and the units are very tidy:

 

3DOF U2 Small unit around $13000 AUD shipped to NZ (+ import taxes etc).

 

6DOF W3 around $19500 AUD shipped to NZ (+ import taxes etc)

 

6DOF W6 around $33000 AUD shipped to NZ (+ taxes)

 

Without dedicated DCS integration it makes it a bit of a risk.

 

Building your own may or may not be your thing, but the software on this site (has a DCS plugin that works) coupled with the extensive forums worth of knowledge would make it very possible.

 

http://www.xsimulator.net/ - DCS Plugin

 

At the very least it highlights that DCS integration does work with the right software.

 

I've currently managed to get the data exporting properly from in game. The next step is to start building some small prototypes. Even if you're not an Arduino (or other micro controller) programmer it's still very possible using some of the code others have written.

 

For space/cost reasons I'm going to go with a proof of concept G-seat type system.

 

Bottom line is you could save yourself a significant outlay and have the satisfaction of building the rig yourself.

 

Of course, if building it isn't your thing and you have the capital to invest then go for buying one and let us all know how it is (DCS with a 6dof rig and the rift/vive will be epic).

 

(Note - I have no affiliation to the site I am sure other motion extraction systems would work, I just happen to have invested tie in this one)

 

Cheers,

 

Smirks

[X93355]

Hi Craig

 

I have had LOMAC working with a CKAS 2dof, its pretty cool. At the time I was just using orientation mode with my bodgy code. Since them have upgraded to a CKAS 6dof which gives an amazing experience if flying Helicopters. Currently CKAS doesn't have a native DCS interface, but it would well be worth asking them if they are up for it.

 

I can't fault CKAS for quality or service.

 

Cheers

 

Peter

 

Cheers Peter, always very helpful :)

 

So does anyone here have DCS working with a motion platform? And is a motion platfrom worth it over the rift. I fly in the real world also (Yak52) but $15000 - $23000 buys a lot of flying so I have to make sure it's worth it to get a platform.

[Frusheen]

Cheers Peter, always very helpful :)

 

So does anyone here have DCS working with a motion platform? And is a motion platfrom worth it over the rift. I fly in the real world also (Yak52) but $15000 - $23000 buys a lot of flying so I have to make sure it's worth it to get a platform.

 

I really think you should do your best to try before you buy. The outlay sure would cover a lot of real world hours. Last year I had savings set aside for a platform but decided to buy a paramotor instead. A motion platform will never be as immersive as real flying.