Racer's Glider Cockpit

Hey Everyone,

I first off have to say there there is a whole lot of inspiration around this forum.
It has been my goal for awhile now to create as realistic of a glider pit that I could on a lean budget.
I have seen many great ideas for motion platforms from the 2 DOF to the 6 DOF platforms. All DIY.:cool:
My first step was to create what you see in the attach picture.
This is the basic cockpit layout that I will be re-creating.
Second, I figure I will tackle the toughest part of this entire project first.
The projection execution.
What I want to do is a semi spherical projection onto the inside of the canopy.
In that way the projector will travel with the cockpit through it's motions.
A tall order indeed as most on this forum know but hey, you don't win running scared right? ;)

http://img836.imageshack.us/img836/9898/98176120.jpg

In this shot I have created a semi-spherical light source which I then placed near the floor in front of the stick. (1st try)
The trick will be to see if I can manipulate the reflected light source test pattern onto the inside of the canopy surface to have as little distortion as possible.


http://img408.imageshack.us/img408/6008/67377719.jpg

Ooooo.. looks like this may just work.

http://img198.imageshack.us/img198/4884/28523569.jpg

And a shot from inside the cockpit.
Looks like it is still a bit flattened out. More tweeking.

http://img4.imageshack.us/img4/9907/38625347.jpg

Here is what looks like a nice compimise.
Not really what you would think would look decent.

http://img696.imageshack.us/img696/2257/56663706.jpg

Until you sit inside!!! Cha ching!!
I have a locked camera view where my eye point would be inside the cockpit.

http://img801.imageshack.us/img801/2862/19933852.jpg

Interesting concept. I look forward to hearing more about your design.

Thanks

Rhydian

If you move the display away from the canopy you may find it works much better. It's because you are trying to conform the image to the complex shape of the canopy that you will have distortion. That is taking a 2D image and making it project in 3D. If you have say a second image screen you can then make the shape work for you. Or you could go VR inside the canopy.

E-D 3D Glasses

Just a few thoughts.

A few more updates from the latest packaging work.

http://img704.imageshack.us/img704/3899/bodyv.png

Very cool project! Nice work.

Here is the fixture I will be building the canopy in.
Time for the wood chips to start flying.

http://img228.imageshack.us/img228/4899/body2kp.png

This is an interesting build. I'm interested in what visuals you are planning on using? Seems like you'll need something that has a huge vertical and horizontal viewing area for something like a glider?