Prepar3D - 180+ degrees FOV with one projector

[brainsphere]

Dear Friends,

I am trying to set up a dome projection with a first surface mirror and one projector to achieve a 180+ degree field of view. What I am currently struggling with is to get a seamless 180-220 degree view in Prepar3D.

Using the WindowMaker tool I tried several configurations with 2 windows (90/110 degrees each) and three windows (60/70 degrees each) to get a view of 180-220 degrees on one projector in order to manipulate it with Immersive Display 2 for the dome.

By combining several views I currently have the following problems:
- There is a fine line visible between the views
- The brightness of the views varies partly
- Depending on pitch angle, the horizon is bending in a strange way

Has anyone been successful in creating a seamless 180-220 degree outside view presentation with one monitor/projector in Prepar3D.
- How can this be achieved without the effects described above?
- Are there any special tweaks to accomplish this?
- Can you provide a sample camera configuration file?

Your feedback and help is very appreciated.

Thanks and kind regards,
Dirk

[OmniAtlas]

Hi Dirk -- I was also wondering if this was possible. I have looked into first surface mirrors but they are pretty expensive?

I assume you are following in the footsteps of Dr Paul Burke and his iDome at Western Australia.

I have a Benq w1080st; I figured it would be more affordable to purchase another w1080st then a dome mirror but I would be still interested to know if this setup would work with P3D.

[wledzian]

Unfortunately it is not possible within FSX/Prepar3d to output a single ultrawide window. I created Windowmaker to simplify the process of generating the appropriate windows, but as you said, there is still the issue of the fine black line between each window, as well as the "distortion" that occurs where the windows meet. This distortion is merely a byproduct of the planar frustum rendering performed in each window, and would look fully correct if each window were projected onto an appropriately positioned flat screen.

As you're going to have to perform warping to align the image to a dome anyway, you should be able to account for the distortion. With whatever warping software you use, simply treat the overall image as the three separate projections that it truly is, with the appropriate distortion applied to each window. In order to get rid of the fine black lines, you can generate three windows of slightly higher FOV and apply the warping in order to eliminate the border from the final projected image.

[tonytor53]

I have found a neat projector that may help some. Not 180 but close. NEC makes a Ultra Short Throw projector that comes mounted on a rail. (see attached). I still plan to use 2 projectors for the side views (cheaper of course!). I will post pictures when done mounting. Keep in mind these things generate a lot of heat. I finished a small shed outside (15x 20') and mounted an AC on the wall. I am considering a ceiling exhaust at where the projectors are mounted.

[OmniAtlas]

It is possible to generate close to 180 degrees with a single window with p3d. Nat from FDS posted his results a while ago (don't remember which forum).

[OmniAtlas]

Here is the original thread - http://www.flightdecksolutions.com/forum/viewtopic.php?p=30844&highlight=&sid=0b35200afaec0b756b85ee58fa00f285#30844

170 degrees stretched out may not be so bad.

[GodAtum]

I have found a neat projector that may help some. Not 180 but close. NEC makes a Ultra Short Throw projector that comes mounted on a rail. (see attached). I still plan to use 2 projectors for the side views (cheaper of course!). I will post pictures when done mounting. Keep in mind these things generate a lot of heat. I finished a small shed outside (15x 20') and mounted an AC on the wall. I am considering a ceiling exhaust at where the projectors are mounted.

is it this projector? http://www.necdisplay.com/p/multimedia-projectors/np-u300x

How would you setup 180? the lens angle is 55.3

[tonytor53]

not planning on 3D at this time. Too expensive.
Just wanted advice if this projector is a good solution for using a curved screen. Sorry for the confusion

[GodAtum]

not planning on 3D at this time. Too expensive.
Just wanted advice if this projector is a good solution for using a curved screen. Sorry for the confusion

Sorry i meant what was the projector model you mentioned in your post, do you know?

[tonytor53]

sorry to be naive, but what is p3d?

Sergio

[OmniAtlas]

Prepar3D.

Here is a 1 projector system I tried last year --

9121

[geneb]

Omniatlas, have you tried P3D @ 180 using three projectors and a TripleHead2Go?

g.

[OmniAtlas]

Omniatlas, have you tried P3D @ 180 using three projectors and a TripleHead2Go?

g.

i only have have one proojector at the moment Gene. Regards.

[geneb]

Ahh, ok. Thanks.

g.