Nat Crea - Surround Visuals Update

melnato · Post by **melnato** » Fri Feb 06, 2009 10:48 pm

A few months ago I took the plunge and bought a TH2Go, Sol7 Software and two more projectors.
Here's some more pics. and and brief explanation...

I made four timber stands from 3"x"2 pine, secured them to a heavy timber base with steel brackets(six stands would be better).

Then I screwed 3 sheets of 3mm MDF to the stands (2.4mX1.5m each)
This stuffs really likes to bend, so i just positioned stands to form a nice curve of about 2.5m radius.

A shot of the projectors...

Initially i tried to "plaster" the joins, but they were still noticeable so I purchased some thick 100% cotton curtain liner..1.5m wide...what a fluke.
I simply stretched that over the existing screen using white tacs(pins with a dome head).

The screen with the new fabric stretched over the MDF:

The Sol7 Set-up screen:

Testing:

Done! !! 7m X 1.5m (or 22ft X 5ft) Screen with a FOV of about 140'

Projectors :If you have the room: BenQ MP730 WXGA...top value and performance

Scenery: http://fullterrain.com/...YMLT

That's it

Nat

DaveA330 · Post by **DaveA330** » Sat Feb 07, 2009 9:10 am

Great setup Nat! Looks very realistic.
My main problem is room size. Can you post the room dimensions?
Also, if you don't mind me asking, is the Sol7 software very expensive?

Thanks
Dave

melnato · Post by **melnato** » Sat Feb 07, 2009 6:41 pm

Dave,

The room is 5.5mWX4.5mDX2.7mH. Absolute minimum I think, in fact
3m Ceiling would've been better.

Sol7 Home Version is a must for a curved screen and is only AU$450 or
US$300 at todays rates...

Nat

RocketRod · Post by **RocketRod** » Sat Feb 07, 2009 11:59 pm

Thanks for those shots Nat! Getting ready for a tower Fly-By? No flaps or gear.

Post by **pcos** » Sun Feb 08, 2009 10:20 am

Really Slick Nat.
I think that you are really pushing the frontiers and braving all the unknowns. This is a very complex component for folks and having a few brave souls push forward like you are doing is a huge help.
When it comes to parts, FDS and others can afford to make a few mistakes along the way and not get into serious trouble. On the "Home" side of things, it is not as simple. Secondly is the cost impact.
Thank you for pushing and for being part of that "pioneering" group that leads the way as well as feeding back into the group.
PC

Ivar Hestnes · Post by **Ivar Hestnes** » Sun Feb 08, 2009 3:52 pm

Great pictures and setup, Nat. Excellent visual. *jealous*

N737AG · Post by **N737AG** » Mon Feb 09, 2009 2:30 pm

Abslutely stunning Nat. That is the level of perfection one should be persuing.

FirstinFlight · Post by **FirstinFlight** » Tue Feb 10, 2009 4:56 pm

nat:
Great work indeed.
I too use use a Matrox Triplehead device and my setup is indicated below. The left front, left, right front and right views are powered by Wideview.

Here is my question -
I needed the Matrox device in my case because i had to stretch the front view across 5 feet of the cockpit. In your case, merely using a single projector would have given you a field of view of 5 or more feet. In fact just by adjusting the placement of the projector you could have gotten your front view completed - see picture below

Question 1 - Why did you require to use the Th2Go device and Sol7 software?

Question 2- Just to confirm - even with your current setup are you able to get left front, left, right front and right views? I am assuming you dont - All of your 3 projectors collectively give you a wide FOV of your front view only - right?

Thanks,
CPJ

melnato · Post by **melnato** » Tue Feb 10, 2009 10:26 pm

Im confused CPJ...(love to know your name btw...

)

Nice graphics, but is this set up actually working? Or is it in planning?

In fact just by adjusting the placement of the projector you could have gotten your front view completed - see picture below

How is this possible? I have THREE projectors running a 'forward' view,
3840X800...how could this be done with ONE projector at 1280X800?

Question 1 - Why did you require to use the Th2Go device and Sol7 software?

TH2Go is obvious...
Sol7 corrects imagery for projecting:
- onto non-planar screen shapes such as curved screens;
- from unusual angles;
- a seamless image from multiple projectors(Pro Version)

Question 2- Just to confirm - even with your current setup are you able to get left front, left, right front and right views? I am assuming you dont - All of your 3 projectors collectively give you a wide FOV of your front view only - right?

I can open up new windows to give me "fwd left and right", but the frame rate hit was not worth it.
I have a single forward view with a FOV of about 120 degrees. See pics below:

Nat

FirstinFlight · Post by **FirstinFlight** » Wed Feb 11, 2009 12:03 am

The first chart (Matrox TH2Go with 3 large CRT monitors for my front view) is what my sim has been running off for the past 4 years.

The second one (a single projector for my front view) is what i planned to upgrading to - until i saw your setup and began to wonder why you couldnt get away with one projector.

In any case, will post the pictures tomorrow. Pretty late in the evening now.

CP Jois

Jon Boe · Post by **Jon Boe** » Wed Feb 11, 2009 1:03 pm

I love how this hobby has evolved

I too, used WidevieW for my first iteration. Downside, it requires 4 computers for a left, center, and right projection, and non-projected server. Upside, it accurately reflects the center and motion for left, center, right. Also, by spreading the graphics processing over several computers, performance wasn't all that bad with single core, 3 GHz computers with FSX.

Now that it looks like FSX is going to be the PC based sim for awhile (X-Plane potential excepted), I am again looking at a curved SOL7 system with WidevieW to get the proper perspective, along with the 4 computer solution..

. If you look at some of my earlier images on the forum you can see the seams where the 3 projected images meet. Also, the field of view isn't what I wanted, and my room contraints at the time forced me into a 60 degree angle which did strange things to the sideview perspectives.

I'm going to have to think about this. TH2Go & WidevieW & perspective.

Hmmm

Really nice system Nat.

Cheers,

Jon

FirstinFlight · Post by **FirstinFlight** » Wed Feb 11, 2009 3:18 pm

Indeed the hobby has evolved considerably and does so even faster now... you can tell by the community that we have.

I started with Flight Simulator v2 back in the 80's! I still have its user manual....

GDR · Post by **GDR** » Thu Feb 12, 2009 3:34 am

Hi,

Is there a way with the TH2Go to create a 5-window view?

The config I'll be using is
- TH2Go
- Sol7
- 3 short throw (wide) beamers (Optoma 525ST)
- 220° selfmade screen

Do I need Wideview as well?

Thanks in advance for the help

melnato · Post by **melnato** » Thu Feb 12, 2009 7:07 am

Thanks Jon

Much appreciated.

There are advantages and dis-advantages in both approaches.

Yes the FOV is limited to around 120-130' with a THH2Go Forward view...BUT
the upside is a single FS computer AND a geometrically correct horizon( ill post some pics later to explain).
When you bank or pitch up/down with the Wideview/multi-view scenario, you get distorted horizons on your left and right views.

Besides taxiing, i am REALLY happy with the current set-up...dont knock till you try it.

Is there a way with the TH2Go to create a 5-window view?
The config I'll be using is
- TH2Go
- Sol7
- 3 short throw (wide) beamers (Optoma 525ST)
- 220° selfmade screen

@GDR...yes you can do this without wideview on ONE PC...but your frame rates will be unbearable. Wideview is needed for multiple networked visual computers...

Nat

Paul M · Post by **Paul M** » Thu Feb 12, 2009 10:02 am

Hi Nat,

First I must say your project is coming out fantastic! What a joy it is to see your progress. Provides motivation to be sure!!!

I must agree with your recomendation on the visuals set up.
I am using the Th2GO and three projectors. I have tried it both ways i.e. 5 (6) window and the one window setup. Now while some may disagree I have more sense of motion with the one window than with the 5(6). I am not the only one who has that sensation, my wife and my FO's agree. Also the view is self aligning, no windows to position and everything knits together perfectly, as the scenery passes by. The frame rates: one window 29 FPS 5(6) window goes between 15 down to 5 FPS depending on scenery complexity. So I think I will be sticking with the one window set up.

Can you tell me (us) what zoom factor you are using to get the
120 degree FOV?

Again Nat what a great piece of work surly something to be proud of.

Paul M

Flightdeck Solutions

Nat Crea - Surround Visuals Update

Nat Crea - Surround Visuals Update

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Is a TripleHead2Go needed in this case?