Configurations

We have a variety of installation configurations which determine the orientation and hardware requirements.  Each effects can work on one or more of these configurations.  The following diagrams and table illustrate these configurations which is available for each effect.

General Requirements

1. Computer. Desktop PC running Windows 7 or XP (preferably 32 bit) at 3+ GHz with at least 512 MB RAM and a PCI Express slot. The computer must have at least one 6-pin Firewire IEEE 1394 port.
    
2. Video card. Video card must support OpenGL.  Video cards change all the time but both the ATI Radeon series and the nVidia chipsets support GL.
    
3. Video cables.  Modern video cards tend to have digital DVI outputs but DVI cables will only go a few feet.  Fortunately, DVI connectors nearly always have an analog side channel which can be run up to 20 feet without problems.  Much further than that, and you may need to consider going to a high end component solution such as the RapidRun System.  If the output from the computer is DVI you need a DVI to DSUB adaptor.  The cable shown to the left is DSUB and the adaptor shown is DVI to DSUB.
    
4. Projector. Projector of sufficient brightness for room (see below).  Projectors come in two broad technologies: LCD and DLP.  LCD projectors will always work with any of our effect, however DLP projectors only work under certain circumstances depending on which effect and what projector and must be tested in advance.
   
   A brightness of 1500 lumens is typical in a dark room.  Brightness varies with the ambient light in the room, but the only way to tell for sure if a projector is bright enough for the room is to test it.  A good low-end projector that meets this specification is the ViewSonic PJ452.  Projectorcentral.com is a good place to comparison shop for projectors.
   
   Lighting: Our work should be displayed in a room with low light which does not vary -- this requirement is extremely important. There should be little or no sunlight, and no strobes or bright lights near the projection surface. The brightness of the projector will affect how much light can be tolerated, the more ambient light there is, the brighter the projector needed to overpower it. Light levels for the projection should be similar to those acceptable for projecting a movie with the same projector. If you would be comfortable watching a presentation or movie on the projector, the lighting is adequate.  In a darkened room, 1500 lumens is typically sufficient.  However, the only way to tell for sure if a projector will be bright enough for a given room is to try it out.  If lighting conditions change while the system is installed, the system may need to be re-calibrated. Note, people often worry that the requirement for low light implies that visitors won't be able to see their way; remember, however, that the projector itself is a very bright source of light, so when the projector is on, the room will be well lit.
    
5. Projector mount. The projector should be hard-mounted in a place where it will not move nor be subject to vibrations.  Projectors that are mounted high (typical of shadow configurations) should be mounted upside down.  The easiest way to do this is to either buy a hanging mount specific to the model of projector or to cut a mounting board for the projector which can be done by the following method: Find screws which fit into the projector screw holes; place these screws into the projector and mark their heads with a pencil; press a piece of plywood which has been cut to approximate size of projector onto these screws leaving marks; drill out those marks and affix the board to the projector with the screws; affix the board to the ceiling or high shelf using appropriate fasteners such as sturdy zip-ties, rope, or metal brackets.  Be sure that the projector will not move after it is mounted.
    
6. Camera (provided). A Firewire Camera will be supplied with the software.  The camera has a standard 1/4" threaded mount on the bottom and back plate.
    
7. Camera Mount. A camera mount is not provided because such mounts tend to be specific to the installation.  In general, it is best if the mount has a ball-socket head to give flexibility to aiming the camera.  The mount shown on the left is least desirable because it has only a pivot head not a ball head like the other two.
    
8. Camera Cable. 6-pin Firewire cabling to run from the camera to the computer.  Runs over 16 feet must use amplified cables such as these from pccables.com.
    
9. Power Cables.  Power supply cables for projector and camera,power extension cords if needed.
    
10. Software (provided). Our software, written in custom C++, shipped on a CD, together with an installation specific hardware copyright key which plugs into a USB port.
     
11. USB Key (provided). Our software requires a hardware USB key to copy protect it.  This is provided with the software and connects to any USB port on the computer
     
12. Speakers.  For effects that have sound, speakers should be provided and pointed near where the participants will stand

Configuration-specific Requirements:

Front Shadow

1. A diffuse white surface for projection. For example, a gypsum wall board painted matte white or off-white. Specular (bright focused) reflections should must be avoided.
    

Rear Infrared

1. Screen: Rear-project screen, such as DaLite Video-Format Da-Tex. We've also used a white sheet stretched on a frame made of cotton or spandex. The screen frame should be hard-mounted and unmovable when the screen is touched.  However, it is OK if the screen itself bends under touch such as would happen with spandex.
   [Click here for information about DaLite screens]
    
2. Minimum of five lights with necessary hardware  (cans, clamps and safety cables, filter holders). The lights should be approximately 75 watts.  The cans should be rated to run with filters.  The filters are very dark and heat up a lot so it is extremely important that you test the lights with the filters to ensure that they will not overheat.
    
3. High Temperature filters to filter out visible light, for each light, and for the camera. We use High Temperature Lee Filters HT 026 (bright red) and HT 172 (lagoon blue).
   [Click here for information about Lee Filters HT filters]
    
4. Diffusion filters for lights. We use Lee Filters 216 (white diffusion).
   [Click here for information about Lee Filters diffusers]
    
5. Trusses for mounting the lights above the participant as shown in illustrations titled "Installation of Infrared Occlusion Systems" below.  For best results, we suggest using track lights.

Floor

1. Clean, matte white or off-white floor
    
2. At least four lights with necessary hardware  (can, clamps and safety cables, filter holders). The lights should be approximately 75 watts.  The cans should be rated to run with filters.  The filters are very dark and heat up a lot so it is extremely important that you test the lights with the filters to ensure that they will not overheat.
    
3. High Temperature filters to filter out visible light, for each light, and for the camera. We use High Temperature Lee Filters HT 026 (bright red) and HT 172 (lagoon blue).
   [Click here for information about Lee Filters HT filters]
    
4. Diffusion filters for lights. We use Lee Filters 216 (white diffusion).
   [Click here for information about Lee Filters diffusers]
    

Flashlight / Laser

1. A diffuse white surface for projection. For example, a gypsum wall board painted matte white or off-white. Specular (bright focused) reflections must be avoided.
    
2. Flashlight with a filter holder (and power supply if permanent) or laser light.
    
3. Filters to filter out visible light for the flashlights and for the camera. We use High Temperature Lee Filters HT 026 (bright red) and HT 172 (lagoon blue).  For red lasers, you can use only the HT 026 filter.
   [Click here for information about Lee Filters HT filters]

Optional, but highly recommended:

1. ATI Remotewonder remote control. This makes it possible to control ShadowGarden remotely, including calibrating (and re-calibrating) and switching between pieces. 
   [Click here for information about the ATI remotewonder] 

Installation Dimensions

The following diagrams illustrate the minimum requirements for installation of our works.  A typical installation may be larger.

(c) 2006 Mine-Control, Inc.