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So I started buying the things I’m gonna need for my multitouch table after doing a shitload of research…

I have decided upon a Diffused Illumination setup vs a FTIR setup so that I have the option of doing fiducial tracking, which I really want to do. Its also a lot less work as far as soldering/powering/etc although I think its tough to get real good/even lighting.

Its actually pretty cheap to build a table, with the exception of the projector, which even at a heavy discount through an ebay purchase is still a pretty swift kick to my financial groin….

I settled on a BenQ MP522 Short Throw projector for both the ridiculously short throw distance (1.2 feet?!?!?) as well as the 1024×768 native resolution so I don’t get a super pixellated image. Its capable of 1280×1024 but I don’t know how that will looks since its not native. It also has 2500 lumen brightness, so it should be plenty bright for most indoor lighting. The projector goes for $870.00 new on Ebay but I got a unopened refurbished version with 0 hours on the bulb from ebay for $650.00 (plus shipping). Hopefully this will be by far the most expensive thing I purchase for thesis and I can build this table and concentrate on making software!

Here’s the projector’s New Egg page

I also ordered some IR flood lights for the table here. $18 a piece for arrays of 30 powered infrared super brights, not a terrible deal. I found another site with $16 arrays of 48 but the site has bad reviews and the lights didn’t look as nice.

I bought these here

Next things to do/buy:

• I need to get wood and plexi once I decide on dimensions and screen size. I’m thinking something around 50 inches diagonal would be pretty nice, not too big but not too small either.
• Take apart a PS3 eye and install an infrared filter on it. Also probably should get a wide angle lens for it
• Lee 225 lighting film for the projection surface and also diffusing film for the box
• power strips

I think thats it, getting there slowly but surely!

Today was the first meeting for a new project I am involved with, creating a Flash based website for the Parson’s Annual Fashion Benefit. We are working with a team of people from R/GA (awesome digital agency) as our art directors and project managers. Their office is pretty damn incredible, they have a parking lot(!) in midtown Manhattan and like a front yard. They also have a full, free cafe/coffee bar and a really, really nice everything imaginable around the office. Can’t wait to get started on this project, initial design comps are due on Thursday at 4 :/ so guess I’m not sleeping much this week…

Finally, Flash is coming to the iPhone. What does this mean? I don’t know, I can see this going 3 different ways.

1. They remake flash lite, a useless general purpose version of flash that people ahve to develop for specifically. I hope not.
2. They give a full-fledged version of flash that runs all web content, plus add multi-touch ability to AS3 when targeting iPhones. Would be AMAZING but i’m not holding my breath.
3. They use flash as a new way to develop applications for the iPhone, sorta like Adobe AIR ported to work with the iPhone functionality. This would be incredible, I don’t know how plausible this is either though.

I just hope they take their time and do it right, instead of making some underpowered useless crap like Flash Lite is.

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