Trackmate

What do I need to get started?

		time	software	hardware	materials
1.	Print Tags	10 mins	Tagger	printer	plain paper
2.	Build/Setup Hardware	15-60 mins	webcam viewer	surface, light, webcam...	depends on type
3.	Calibrate Camera	15 mins	Tracker	webcam	sheet of tags
4.	Run Sample Apps	20 mins	LusidOSC Bundle	Trackmate system	tagged objects

1. Print Tags

Trackmate uses a small, specially designed circular barcode that stores information which can be easily decoded by the Trackmate Tracker. The tag measures less than 1"x1" square, contains a six byte unique ID (over 280 trillion unique IDs are possible), and is entirely open source.

Download the Trackmate Tagger for Windows, Mac OS X, or Linux to create your own sets of randomly generated tags and print them from your computer.
Put tags on the objects you want to track.
Print the layout guides PDF to help with camera setup and calibration later.

2. Build and Setup the Hardware

There are a lot of different ways that you can build a Trackmate system. Here are a few examples that describe how to get started building your own. Keep an eye on the wiki as users find creative ways to make new versions.

Portable Plexi Cliffhanger
Classy Hardwood Curio
Simple Shoebox Sidekick
Other ways to build are always welcome. Check out the wiki for other ideas...

3. Calibrate the Camera

The Trackmate Tracker reads Trackmate tags (by processing images from a webcam) and then sends the corresponding data to any spatial application via LusidOSC. The Tracker is easy to setup and provides feedback helpful for debugging your system.

Download the Trackmate Tracker for Windows, Mac OS X, or Linux.
See setting up your Trackmate on the wiki, as well as the screen-by-screen walkthrough.

4. Run Sample Applications

Trackmate sends object data via LusidOSC (a protocol layer for unique spatial input devices), allowing any LusidOSC-based application to work with the system. LusidOSC supports interfaces such as Trackmate, Reactable, Sensetable, and g-speak, and can easily be extended.

Download Processing if you don't have it already. Processing is an easy way to get started writing your own spatial applications with simple graphical, audio, and networking support.
Download the LusidOSC Processing Bundle. It contains a set of spatial applications written in Processing that receives LusidOSC data and acts accordingly. The bundle includes a series of simple applications for getting started, a command luncher, a playlist mixer, a MIDI sequencer, a parametric design example, and a presentation tool.
Descriptions and screenshots of each application included in the Bundle may also be useful.