WorldViz PPT-E User manual

WorldViz Precision Position Tracker
Operating Instructions
WorldViz
2011

iii
Table of Contents
1. Preface ___________________________________________________ 1
2. Pre-Tracking CheckList ______________________________________ 3
3. Hardware installation________________________________________ 5
Quick installation guide 5
Local system components 7
Camera installation 8
Camera positioning guidelines 8
Connecting PPT-E camera cables 10
Connecting PPT-X camera cables 12v (international) 12
Connecting PPT-X camera cables 24v 14
Connecting PPT-H camera cables 17
Connecting PPT-X camera cables 20
Connecting PPT-X camera cables (International) 22
Powering and restarting PPT 27
Activating and de-activating cameras 29
4. Camera lighting settings ____________________________________ 32
Preparing your tracking workspace 32
Adjusting Camera gain and threshold 33
5. Calibration _______________________________________________ 40
Calibration overview 40
Calibrating 41
Tuning 44
6. Using 3d data _____________________________________________ 47
Sending data to a client application 47
Connecting to Vizard 49
Connecting to 3rd party software 56
Using The 3D view 58
Orientation and position plugins 60

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Local offsets 67
Logging data 67
Marker Identification 68
Debugging plugins 71
7. Usage scenarios ___________________________________________74
Live Characters Installation 74
PPT MoCap 76
PPT MoCap - Markers Tab 79
PPT MoCap - Settings Tab 81
PPT MoCap - Advanced Tab 82
PPT MoCap - Initialize Wizard 83
PPT MoCap - Play T-pose 85
Installing PPT MoCap MotionBuilder Plugin 86
Configure PPT MoCap Device 89
8. WorldViz peripherals _______________________________________94
PPT WAND 94
PPT WAND specifications 94
Configuration 98
PPT Wand with PPT eyes 102
Configuring vizard vr toolkit 105
Configuring Multiple PPT Wands or with IC2 Devices 106
Configuring Multiple Wands 106
Configuring PPT Wand with IC2 106
Advanced usage 107
Retrieving wand data 107
Compensation for magnetic distortion 113
Changing led id values 115
Support 116
Proper wand handling 116
Pairing a wand with its receiver 117
Installing wand receiver drivers 122
PPT eyes 123
PPT Eyes Specification 123
PPT Eyes Setup 124

Table Of Contents
v
9. Reference guide __________________________________________ 128
User presets 128
Plugins 128
3d 128
Camera 138
2D Plugin 140
Output 141
Post process 142
10. Support ________________________________________________ 145
Toubleshooting 145
Frequently asked questions 150
Technical specifications for PPT-E 152
Technical specifications for PPT-H 154
Technical specifications for PPT-X 155
Contact WorldViz 156

1
P R EF A C E
PPT Studio 2010
Welcome to the documentation for the Precision Position Tracker, brought to you by
WorldViz. We would like to thank you for purchasing a PPT system, and WorldViz
looks forward to supporting you in using PPT for all of your tracking needs.
This documentation should contain everything you need to know about setting up
and operating your PPT system. However, if you have any problems using your
system, feel free to contact our support team at [e-mail] and we will
be more than happy to help you. It is also a good idea to check that your support
contract with us is up to date. Customers with support contracts receive free updates
to the PPT software, priority support, and are covered if the hardware should fail due
to normal use. Please email us if you would like more information about support
contracts.

3
P R E- T R A CKI N G C H E C K LI S T
Follow the steps below if:
The lighting conditions in the room have changed
A camera has moved
You want to ensure high quality tracking
1. Check the cameras
Place the calibration rig in the center of your tracked space. Verify that all
cameras see each of the four lights, one at a time. Verify that no camera
identifies other light sources (the cross hair in each camera should never flicker
to any other spot). Infra-red light contamination can cause poor tracking, and
will prevent calibration. To solve this issue, either block the contaminating light
or crop out portions of the camera view. See Preparing your tracking
workspace.
2. Calibrate
The slightest movement of any of the cameras is enough to introduce severe
tracking distortion. If cameras have been touched or tracking is abnormal,
calibrate. To ensure accuracy for important data collection, Calibrate.
3. Tune
Before using PPT for a project, always press the Tune button and follow the
instructions. Tuning tells PPT where the important tracking area is and whether
you are tracking fast or slow motion. If you change a 2D or 3D plugin, you
should Tune PPT again.
4. Verify 3D data
Move a marker through the tracked space and watch a trace of the motion in
your 3D view. If traces are not turned on, right-click in the 3D View and enable
Markers / History. The dot lines should not have any large gaps and will appear
a steady, jitter free line. Troubleshoot if the traces are unusual.
5. Adjust number of markers
Verify that PPT is looking for the number of markers you intend to track.
6. Send data
Press the "Talk" button to start sending data. Confirm that your plugins are
configured to send data over the appropriate channel for your setup. (The
"Talk" mode is automatically turned on when PPT Studio is in 3D view and it
can also be turn off under 2D view tab)
NOTE: Reload factory settings
If you're having difficulty finding user interface functions as discussed in this
documentation, you should select "Load factory settings" under the File menu. This

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will restore your PPT's graphical user interface back to the default factory settings
which correspond the pictures used throughout the documentation.

Hardware Installation
5
H AR DW A R E I N S T AL L A TI O N
QUI CK INSTALLATION GUIDE
Step 1
See Locate system components for a full parts list of what is included with a PPT
system.
Step 2
See Camera positioning for suggestions on how the place the cameras in your
tracking space.

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Step 3
WorldViz currently sells 3 kinds of PPT systems. See the page that is appropriate for
your configuration:
PPT-E Systems (International, all voltages) - Connecting PPT-E camera cables
PPT-H Systems (International, all voltages) - Connecting PPT-H camera cables
PPT-X Systems (United States, 110V only) - Connecting PPT-X camera cables
PPT-X Systems (International, all voltages) - Connecting PPT-X camera cables
(International)
Step 4
See Adjusting camera settings, Calibrating, and Using the 3D view.

Hardware Installation
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LOCAL SYSTEM COMPONE NTS
Please identify each of these components before proceeding.
PPT-E
PPT computer (with power cable, keyboard and mouse)
PPT-E cameras (4 or more depending on purchased configuration)
PPT calibration rig
PPT wireless markers
Camera mounts (one for each PPT camera)
Optional RS-232 serial data cable (9 pin)
CAT5e ethernet cable for PPT computer
CAT5e ethernet cables (one for each camera)
Power-over-ethernet gigabit network switch
PPT-H
PPT computer (with power cable, keyboard and mouse)
PPT-H cameras (4 or more depending on purchased configuration)
Combination power-video cables (one for each PPT camera)
One low voltage DC power supply for each camera
Power strip
PPT calibration rig
PPT wireless markers
Camera mounts (one for each PPT camera)
Optional RS-232 serial data cable (9 pin)
CAT5e ethernet cable for PPT computer
CAT5e ethernet cables (one for each camera)
Power/video-based sync cables (one for each camera)

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Sync Y-split adaptors with 12-pin round connector (one for each camera)
Power adaptors with 10-pin round connector (one for each camera)
One PPT-H Sync Box
One 12V DC power supply for PPT-H Sync Box
PPT-X - United States version, 110-120 volts AC power
PPT computer (with power cable, keyboard and mouse)
PPT-X cameras (2, 4, or 8 depending on purchased configuration)
Combination power-video cables (one for each PPT camera)
One 24V AC camera power supply with 4 or 8 leads
Power strip
PPT calibration rig
PPT wireless markers
Camera mounts (one for each PPT camera)
Ethernet cable for PPT computer (recommended connection method)
RS-232 serial data cable / 9 pin (optional connection method)
PPT-X - International, 110-240 volts AC power
PPT computer (with power cable, keyboard and mouse)
PPT-X cameras (2, 4, or 8 depending on purchased configuration)
Combination power-video cables (one for each PPT camera)
One 12V DC camera power supply with one lead
Power splitter cables to power each camera
Power strip
PPT calibration rig
PPT wireless markers
Camera mounts (one for each PPT camera)
Gen-lock cables (one less than number of PPT cameras)
BNC T-connectors (one less than number of PPT cameras)
Ethernet cable for PPT computer (recommended connection method)
RS-232 serial data cable / 9 pin (optional connection method)
NOTE: WorldViz does not supply a computer monitor with PPT purchases. Customers
must purchase separately a SVGA compatible or better monitor for use with the PPT
system.
CAMERA INSTALLATION
CAMERA POSITIONING G UIDELINES
Position and orient the PPT cameras in any configuration that fits your workspace.
The optimal height of the cameras depends on your application. For typical upper

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body tracking, the cameras should be mounted as high as possible to reduce the
likelihood of blocking a marker placed on the head.
While limited fluorescent lighting will not affect the PPT cameras, any visible sunlight
and some heat sources will interfere with tracking. Light sources in the room must be
kept out of the direct field-of-view of the cameras. Read more about this in Preparing
your tracking workspace.
Optimize the tracked volume
For effective PPT tracking, a marker must be visible to at least 2 cameras. Try to
arrange your cameras to maximize the overlap of their field-of-views.
Optimize tracking accuracy
The ideal angle between your cameras is 90 degrees (perpendicular). Two adjacent
cameras directed at angles that are at similar angles (near parallel) will result in poor
triangulation accuracy. However, sometimes 90 degree angles between cameras can
reduce the tracked volume and you should adopt a compromise.
Example: Square workspace
Two camera arrangements are shown below. Orange indicates tracking by 2
cameras, yellow indicates 3 cameras, and green indicates 4 cameras. In the left
image, the cameras are adjusted to maximize the trackable footprint (camera views
are flush against opposite walls). In the right image, the cameras are adjusted to
maximize the high-quality tracking region (yellow and green) at the cost of a few
holes in the tracking coverage. You will need to analyze your requirements to work
out which solution is the best for you.

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Example: Rectangular workspace
Two camera arrangements are shown below. Orange indicates tracking by 2
cameras, yellow indicates 3 cameras, and green indicates 4 cameras. In the left
image, full coverage tracking is optimized by adjusting the camera views flush
against the long (left/right) walls. In the right image, coverage is sub-optimal due to
adjusting the camera views flush against the short (top/bottom) walls. For
rectangular workspaces, these diagrams show how critical your camera arrangement
is for determining your tracking performance.
CONNECTING PPT -E CAMERA CABLES
Step 1:
The cameras used in PPT-E are
smart cameras operating at high
resolution and fast frame rates.
The cameras are able to
automatically identify themselves
to the PPT software, reducing
configuration time.

Hardware Installation
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Step 2:
Connect an Ethernet cable to the
back of the camera and run the
cable to the main PPT ethernet
switch. The cable must be capable
of operating with gigabit Ethernet,
and so should be rated to at least
CAT5e standard.
Step 6:
All of the camera Ethernet cables
must be connected to the PoE
(Power over Ethernet) gigabit
network switch that is supplied to
you. It does not matter what port
each camera is plugged into. Note
that you must use the supplied
switch, since it provides power
using PoE to all of the cameras.
Next, you must run a separate
Ethernet cable from this switch to
the back of the PPT computer.
Make sure you plug this Ethernet
cable into the port marked
“Camera Network”.

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Start tracking:
Once all the wiring is complete, you will need to power up the cameras. If you have
already powered up the cameras this is not a problem - simply turn the power off
and then on again to reboot them. The cameras must be turned on after all the
cables are connected and the host PPT computer is running. If not then they may not
be visible to the network and you will need to reboot them once all the connections
are completed correctly.
NOTE: PPT-E cameras expect a DHCP server to be available, so this must be
supplied either via a network router, or by DHCP server software running on the host
machine. The DHCP server is provided in the PPT Studio under folder name called
“DHCP Server.” You can start the server by clicking Run-DHCP-Server.bat. Typically,
on a WorldViz configured PPT-E system, a DHCP server is added and is configured to
generate IP addresses from 192.168.99.100-192.168.99.199. If do not get the
computer system directly from us, please make sure your network adapter
connected to PPT-E cameras has an IP of 192.168.99.1 for DHCP server to work
properly.
CONNECTING PPT -X CAMERA CABLES 12V (INTERN ATION AL)
STEP 1:
Notice that each camera has a number on the
top.
The cameras will be numbered accordingly
from 1 to 4.
If you have more than 4 cameras, each
camera will have its respective number
located on the top.
STEP 2:
You have received several power/video cables
(one for each camera) with your PPT system.

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These cables have BNC plugs and power plugs
on both ends. Locate these cables
Note: One side of the power/video cable has a
male termination, and the other side has a
female termination. Be sure to run your
power/video cables so that the power
termination matches the power connector on
the camera.
Identify the power connector at the back of
the camera and connect it with the power plug
of the power/video cable.
NOTE: DO NOT PLUG THE POWER SUPPLY
INTO THE POWER OUTLET OR TURN IT
ON UNTIL STEP 7
STEP 3:
After connecting the power connector, plug
the BNC end of the power/video cable to the
video out BNC connector of the camera.
STEP 4:
Repeat steps 2 through 3 for each of your
cameras.
STEP 5:
Locate the power supply (12V).
NOTE: THE POWER ADAPTER
SHOULD NOT BE PLUGGED INTO
THE POWER OUTLET UNTIL YOU
HAVE COMPLETED STEP 6.

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STEP 6:
Now connect the BNC plugs at the other ends
of the power/video cables into the back of
your computer. Next, connect the 12V power
supply plugs to the computer end of the
power/video cables.
You can use the Y-splitters to power 2
cameras with one 12V power supply.
The ports on the back of the PPT PC are
marked with numbers. Match the number on
each camera to the number on each port, i.e.
Camera ‘1’ connects to port ‘1’.
STEP 7:
The PPT system works best if the 12V power
supply and the PPT computer are plugged into
the same power source. So, connect the
power box to a power strip with an available
outlet for the PPT computer. Once you have
completed all the above steps, you may turn
on the power supply and test the cameras.
CONNECTING PPT -X CAMERA CABLES 24V
STEP 1:
Notice that each camera has a number on the
top.
The cameras will be numbered accordingly
from 1 to 4.
If you have more than 4 cameras, each
camera will have its respective number
located on the top.