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Multitouch Mini (MTmini) – How To

What’s a Multitouch Mini (MTmini)?

A Multitouch Mini, MTmini for short, is a cheap, small, portable multitouch pad. It can be used for all different purposes including: drawing, OS navigation, multitouch operation, games, entertainment, experimentation, and more. I created the Multitouch Mini to show people how something that seems complicated or ‘magical’ can be made simply and at low cost.

0 Multitouch Mini (MTmini) How To

The MTmini uses the “Front Diffused Illumination” multitouch technique, with normal ambient light (infrared not required or needed) and a normal off-the-shelf webcam (IR filter can still be in place). The MTmini technique is the first step in creating a full multitouch display.

Parts List

  • Box (ie. Cardboard, Plastic, etc)
  • Piece of Clear, Flat Sturdy Material (ie. Glass, acrylic, plexiglas)
  • Paper (ie. printer paper, tracing paper, almost any paper)
  • Webcam (most web cameras will work)
  • Computer (dual core recommended, but not required)
  • Optional:
    • Picture Frame

Total Cost: $5 – $50

How’s it Work and What Conditions are Necessary?

When you place your fingers on the surface, shadows are created where your fingers are placed. The webcam sees these shadows and sends the image to the tracking software which tracks the shadows as they move on the touch surface (paper).

Below is a video demonstrating the view of what the camera is seeing and tracking.

0 Multitouch Mini (MTmini) How To

All you need is a room with (at least) some light; a dark room will not work. Even room lighting gives the best results.  Lights shinning from multiple directions onto the multitouch pad gives better results than lights from one direction.

Software and Demo Downloads

Tracking Software Installation and Setup Guide

Want to Build a Multitouch Surface?

See the MTbiggie page to create your first multitouch table!

0 Multitouch Mini (MTmini) How To

Other Resources

Thanks to:

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  • Danyhimself

    the link to download the CCV FOR WINDOWS XP doesn´t work, HELP PLEASE!!!

  • consuelo gonzalez Garcia

    Does it work aswell  with an hexagonal box? Is there any other Main Finger Tracking Application, that can calibrate 6 points?

    • http://sethsandler.com/blog Seth Sandler

      I’d ask on http://nuigroup.com/forums. The newest software may be able to support 6 points, but I’m not positive.

    • http://www.facebook.com/people/Consuelo-A-Secas/512199432 Consuelo A Secas

       About the new software.. do you refer to Reactivision?

    • http://sethsandler.com/blog Seth Sandler

      No, I’m referring to the latest version of CCV which is 1.5. You can find it on the nuigroup.com forum if you search CCV 1.5. If you like reactivision, you could also try that though.

  • qassaq10

    is there any minimum pc specs?

    • http://sethsandler.com/blog Seth Sandler

      Any core 2 duo would be good. Something with 2 cores CPU.

  • http://www.facebook.com/people/Roel-Vincent-Maslog-Cagampang/1572565673 Roel Vincent Maslog Cagampang

    can I use an ordinary glass instead of Acrylic Sheet (because theres no available acrylic sheet here or could you give me some alternative rather than acrylic sheet?)

    • http://sethsandler.com/blog Seth Sandler

      Yes, you can use glass instead.

    • http://www.facebook.com/people/Roel-Vincent-Maslog-Cagampang/1572565673 Roel Vincent Maslog Cagampang

      thank you so much Mr. Seth Sandler, I have question about it about using glass instead of Acrylic sheet, does it have any disadvantages in using a glass instead of Acrylic sheet? And more thing I have to ask, is it ok to use an ordinary PC cam instead of infrared camera? thank you in advance :)

    • http://sethsandler.com/blog Seth Sandler

      No problem. There are no disadvantages to using glass. Glass is probably better to use since it’s more sturdy. You can use a PC cam, but you need to make it a IR camera if you want to display an image on the surface. You can learn more at http://nuigroup.com/forums

    • http://www.facebook.com/people/Roel-Vincent-Maslog-Cagampang/1572565673 Roel Vincent Maslog Cagampang

      thank you Mr. Seth Sandler for the fast reply. How about using a PC Cam instead of infrared camera and use the projector to display image on the surface, is it ok?

  • Leonardo Nammour

    hello I decided to make this a project along with my researches about touch screens can you post me download links for applications compatible with the MT mini? And how to make them work. I’d be very grateful thank you

    • http://sethsandler.com/blog Seth Sandler

       You can find links to applications in the ‘Demos and Applications’ section above. You can also look at http://nuigroup.com/forums for more applications and help getting them to work.

    • Leonardo Nammour

      One more thing… i’m using Internet Explorer to launch the SchockWave demos but it seems it’s not linking with the webcam. How can I make them work properly?

  • http://www.facebook.com/frrabelo Francisco Rabelo

    I could not install the windows xp 64bit
    Is there a practical tutorial for laypeople
    the driver does not work for win7
    help – me!!

    • http://sethsandler.com/blog Seth Sandler

       Hi Francisco, you’ll have to be more specific. What type of error are you getting? I recommending http://nuigroup.com/forum where there’s hundreds of people building these and if you post on the forum you’ll likely get someone to help you out or that has experienced the same issue.

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