Images © Microsoft
An emerging technology, Microsoft's Kinect is a motion sensor and video & depth camera to sense interactions and make touchless gestures, body movements and motion capture recordings possible on a Windows PC or Mac for almost no cost.
Microsoft have released three versions of Kinect, with a fourth on the way:
Microsoft have released three versions of Kinect, with a fourth on the way:
Kinect For Windows Kinect For X-Box One (Bundled) Kinect For X-Box 360 Kinect Diagram
- Kinect for X-Box 360 can be purchased for $AU149 brand new or second hand (e.g. ebay) for much cheaper
- Kinect For X-Box One (updated and more powerful) comes bundled with an X-Box One and normally retails for for $599
- Kinect For Windows retails for $AU270 for individuals with Academic Licensing prices available
- Kinect For Windows v2 is to be released soon.
No matter what version of Kinect, it can be connected to Windows or Mac and combined with a variety of free and paid third-party software titles for use in educational, home and business settings. These titles can be separated into two categories:
- Programs that require Microsoft's Kinect for Windows Software Development Kit (SDK).
- Programs that require OpenNI, NITE and PrimeSense drivers.
NOTE:
1. Users running Windows XP, 7, 8 or 8.1 should install each of the following supporting or prerequisite programs in the following order:
- Microsoft DirectX® SDK - June 2010 or a later version
- DirectX 9.0c End-User Runtime
- DirectX End-User Runtime Web Installer - installs updates to 9.0c and previous versions of DirectX
- DirectX End-User Runtimes (June 2010)
- Microsoft Visual Studio 2010 Express, Microsoft Visual Studio 2010 SDK & Microsoft Visual Studio 2010 Service Pack 1 or Microsoft Visual Studio Express 2013 (When you run either Microsoft Visual Studio installation, you will be given a variety of options to install. Select 'Microsoft Visual Studio C++').
- Microsoft Visual C++ 2012 Redistributable
- Microsoft Speech Platform Runtime, Version 10.2 – Select 32-bit if you are running 32-bit Windows. If you have 64-bit Windows, install both the 32-bit and 64-bit runtimes
- Microsoft Speech Platform - Software Development Kit, Version 10.2 – Select 32-bit or 64-bit according to your Windows version
- Kinect for Windows Language Pack, Version 0.9
2. Users running Windows XP & 7 must have Microsoft .NET Framework 4 and 4.5 installed. Windows 8 and 8.1 already have .NET 4.5 installed (which replaces .NET 4).
Programs that require Microsoft's Kinect for Windows Software Development Kit (SDK)
The following programs (most are free) work using the Microsoft Kinect SDK drivers:
- Ubi Interactive: Turns any surface into an interactive touch screen (paid)
- Touchless Touch: Turns any surface into an interactive touch screen (free and paid)
- Win&I: Control a Windows 7 PC using hand gestures
- 3D Human Motion Capture Software: Motion capture and animation software (free and paid)
- Kinect Math: Control and manipulate mathematical objects during Math classes (free)
- Kinect PowerPoint Control: Control PowerPoint presentations using hand gestures (free)
- Kinect Paint: A simple program designed for painting using hand gestures (free)
- Kinect Mouse Control: Control a Windows PC mouse cursor using hand gestures (free)
- Control:mapper: Assign human movements to key strokes, mouse commands or gamepad/joystick buttons (free and paid)
- Zigfu Games: Sample games for Kinect PC (free)
- Flexible Action and Articulated Skeleton Toolkit (FAAST): Allows users to assign full-body control for gaming and VR applications (free).
Ubi Interactive
Ubi provide a variety of paid software touch solutions (from 1 touch point to 20) designed to turn any surface into an interactive touch screen. Watch the videos below and be amazed!
Ubi Interactive also comes with an optional pen to make writing, annotating and other content creation activities much more precise, ergonomic and responsive.
Prices range from $US149 to $US1499. No free download is available to the public but they are accepting requests on a case by case basis to receive a demo via this link. Discounts are available for volume and academic purchases.
Prices range from $US149 to $US1499. No free download is available to the public but they are accepting requests on a case by case basis to receive a demo via this link. Discounts are available for volume and academic purchases.
Hardware:
- Kinect for Windows Sensor
- Projector
- Computer with Windows 8 (4GB RAM, Dual-core 2.66-GHz)
Touchless Touch
Touchless Touch turns any surface into a multi-touch screen, supporting 128 touch-points. Works with both Kinect and OpenNI sensors.
A free unlimited trial version is available but it can only be used for personal use and comes with a Touchless Touch logo watermark on the display. The paid versions costs $US60.
A free unlimited trial version is available but it can only be used for personal use and comes with a Touchless Touch logo watermark on the display. The paid versions costs $US60.
Software
Download and install in this order:
- If using Kinect For Windows: Touchless Touch Software + Manual
- If using Kinect for X-Box: Kinect for Windows SDK, Touchless Touch Software + Manual
Hardware:
- (i) Connect a project to a laptop/PC and turn on the projector OR (ii) Connect a laptop/PC to an interactive whiteboard and turn both on.
- Mount the Kinect sensor(s) flat against the touch surface in one of the corners, pointing diagonally across to the opposite corner, at least 60cm away from the touch area
- Connect the Kinect via USB to the laptop/PC
- Open Touchless Touch
- Follow the Touchless Touch calibration instructions from here.
Win&I
Win&I from Evoluce is an easy to use app to control a Windows 7 PC with hand gestures.
Watch the videos below to see Win&I in action.
Watch the videos below to see Win&I in action.
Motion Capture and 3D Avatar Animation
iPi Soft have created motion capture software (iPi Recorder and iPi MoCap Studio) for tracking, capturing and processing 3D human movements using any Kinect or OpenNI compliant 3D sensors, Sony PlayStation Eye cameras and DirectShow-compatible webcams (USB and FireWire).
Ipi Recorder captures video and skeletal data to be used for motion tracking and use in iPi Mocap Studio. Watch the video below to see the programs in action and then read below to learn about each program and how to easily install and use them.
Ipi Recorder captures video and skeletal data to be used for motion tracking and use in iPi Mocap Studio. Watch the video below to see the programs in action and then read below to learn about each program and how to easily install and use them.
iPi Recorder
iPi Recorder is a free software program for capturing, playing back and processing video from multiple cameras and depth sensors without the need for expensive backdrops, lighting, or sensor suits with reflective markers. It is so simple that even young primary school students can use it to capture their movements. Movement capture can also be enhanced using Nintendo Wiimotes or Playstation Move controllers too.
iPi Recorder is a free software program for capturing, playing back and processing video from multiple cameras and depth sensors without the need for expensive backdrops, lighting, or sensor suits with reflective markers. It is so simple that even young primary school students can use it to capture their movements. Movement capture can also be enhanced using Nintendo Wiimotes or Playstation Move controllers too.
Simply:
- If you are using an Kinect for X-Box on the PC do not plug in the Kinect to the computer's USB port.
- Download and install the latest Kinect for Windows SDK.
- Restart the computer.
- Plug the Kinect into the USB port of the PC.
- Download iPi Recorder.
- Follow the installation guide to install iPi Recorder.
- Restart the computer.
- Plug in the Kinect for X-Box into the computer's USB port (USB 3.0 is preferred to USB 2.0).
- Watch the video below to learn how to use iPi Recorder (and should you require further information, read the following user guide).
3D Characters
In the video above it shows a pre-made 3D character (an .fbx file) being imported for animation mapping to the human motions captured using the Kinect. You can download 288 free pre-made .fbx (and other file extensions) 3D characters from here, another 96 free 3D models from here and a variety of other free 3D models and objects from here.
Should you wish to create your own 3D characters, Mixamo Fuse (paid) allows users to drag, drop and manipulate a variety of virtual body parts to create 3D characters in only a few minutes.
Ready-made Motion Captures
Instead of buying, installing and then having students wait to use motion capture hardware such as the Kinect, ready-made human motion captures can also be downloaded for free from:
For some of these ready-made human motion captures, should you require assistance in converting between the different file extensions (e.g. .mov to .fbx), click here.
In the video above it shows a pre-made 3D character (an .fbx file) being imported for animation mapping to the human motions captured using the Kinect. You can download 288 free pre-made .fbx (and other file extensions) 3D characters from here, another 96 free 3D models from here and a variety of other free 3D models and objects from here.
Should you wish to create your own 3D characters, Mixamo Fuse (paid) allows users to drag, drop and manipulate a variety of virtual body parts to create 3D characters in only a few minutes.
Ready-made Motion Captures
Instead of buying, installing and then having students wait to use motion capture hardware such as the Kinect, ready-made human motion captures can also be downloaded for free from:
- The Carnegie Mellon University Motion Capture Database - Contains interactions between humans, humans and their environment, locomotion, physical activities & sports, and situations & scenarios
- Mocapdata.com - Contains several hundred paid and free animations in various categories licenced under a CC Attribution licence
- Ohio State University - Contains motion captures such as swagger, break-dancing and martial arts.
For some of these ready-made human motion captures, should you require assistance in converting between the different file extensions (e.g. .mov to .fbx), click here.
iPi MoCap Studio
iPi MoCap Studio allows users to produce, edit and transfer 3D animations. Simply:
iPi MoCap Studio allows users to produce, edit and transfer 3D animations. Simply:
- Download the iPiMocap 30 day trial version. After the end of 30 days trial period, iPi Mocap Studio Trial Version will continue functioning but animation export will be disabled.
- Follow the installation guide.
- Read the user guide.
PowerPoint Control
Kinect PowerPoint Control allows users to control PowerPoint presentations use hand gestures
(e.g. extend hand to the right to go to the next slide).
Check out the video below to see Kinect PowerPoint Control in action:
(e.g. extend hand to the right to go to the next slide).
Check out the video below to see Kinect PowerPoint Control in action:
Installation Instructions
There are two methods to install Kinect PowerPoint Control. Choose Method 1 as it is easier and quicker.
Method 1:
Method 2:
There are two methods to install Kinect PowerPoint Control. Choose Method 1 as it is easier and quicker.
Method 1:
- If you are using an Kinect for X-Box on the PC do not plug in the Kinect to the computer's USB port.
- Download and install the latest Kinect for Windows SDK.
- Restart the computer.
- Plug the Kinect into the USB port of the PC.
- Download the compiled version of Kinect PowerPoint Controller from here.
- Unzip KinectPowerPointControl.zip
- Run KinectPowerPointControl.exe
- Minimise Kinect PowerPoint Control.
- Open a PowerPoint presenation.
- Go to Slideshow view.
- Extend your hand right to go to the next slide/transition, extend left to go back a slide/transition.
Method 2:
- If you are using an Kinect for X-Box on the PC do not plug in the Kinect to the computer's USB port.
- Download and install the latest Kinect for Windows SDK.
- Restart the computer.
- Plug the Kinect into the USB port of the PC.
- Download the uncompiled version of Kinect PowerPoint Controller from here.
- Download and install Microsoft Visual Studio Express 2013 from here.
- Run/Install Visual Studio and install C++.
- Double click on KinectPowerPointControl.sln (to open it using Visual C++).
- Click the Debug Menu and press Build.
- Navigate to KinectPowerPointControl.srcbin\KinectPowerPointControl\KinectPowerPointControl\bin\Release
- Run KinectPowerPointControl.exe
- Minimise Kinect PowerPoint Control.
- Open a PowerPoint presenation.
- Go to Slideshow view.
- Extend your hand right to go to the next slide/transition, extend left to go back a slide/transition.
Kinect Math
Kinect Math is a program designed to get students out of their chairs and enable students to physically interact with mathematics during lessons, providing a more interactive way for teachers to teach abstract mathematical concepts to their students and also gives the students an easier way to visualize the mathematical concepts by using a real time display.
Watch the video below to see Kinect Math in action:
Watch the video below to see Kinect Math in action:
Download Kinect Math from here.
Kinect Paint
Kinect Paint is a simple body tracking program that lets your hands become the paint brush.
The program is a simple interface that detects hand movements to control the mouse/hand cursor and users can select the required paint tool by hovering the mouse/hand cursor over the object for five seconds.
Kinect Paint is a great way to introduce body movement/motion control software to students in the junior years. Watch the video below to see Kinect Paint in action:
The program is a simple interface that detects hand movements to control the mouse/hand cursor and users can select the required paint tool by hovering the mouse/hand cursor over the object for five seconds.
Kinect Paint is a great way to introduce body movement/motion control software to students in the junior years. Watch the video below to see Kinect Paint in action:
Installation Instructions
- If you are using an Kinect for X-Box on the PC do not plug in the Kinect to the computer's USB port.
- Download and install the latest Kinect for Windows SDK.
- Restart the computer.
- Plug the Kinect into the USB port of the PC.
- Download Kinect Paint.
- Run the Kinect Paint installation.
Kinect Mouse Control
Kinect Mouse Cursor is an application that allows users to control a Windows mouse cursor using hand motions.
As demonstrated in the image on the right, hand movements are mapped to the X and Y positions of a mouse to move the cursor (left- or right-handed modes can be selected) and mouse clicks can be made by raising the other hand ("True" will be presented on the screen).
Installation Instructions
- If you are using an Kinect for X-Box on the PC do not plug in the Kinect to the computer's USB port.
- Download and install the latest Kinect for Windows SDK.
- Restart the computer.
- Plug the Kinect into the USB port of the PC.
- Download the compiled version of Kinect Mouse Cursor from here.
- Unzip KinectMouse1.2.zip.
- Run Microsoft.Kinect.Samples.CursorControl.exe.
- Practice controlling the cursor with one hand (right hand by default) and activating clicks by raising the other hand.
- Minimise Kinect Mouse Cursor (using a normal mouse) to then control the Windows mouse cursor.
Control:mapper
Control:mapper allows users to assign speech and full body skeletal movements to control a mouse cursor and keyboard keys. It can be used for virtually anything and is brilliant in replacing gaming controllers.
Watch the video below to see Control:mapper in action:
Mouse Mode:
Watch the video below to see Control:mapper in action:
Mouse Mode:
Game Controller Mode:
Installation Instructions
- If you are using an Kinect for X-Box on the PC do not plug in the Kinect to the computer's USB port.
- Download and install the latest Kinect for Windows SDK.
- Restart the computer.
- Download Microsoft Speed SDK 11 here.
- Restart the computer.
- Plug the Kinect into the USB port of the PC.
- Download control:mapper from here. (14 day free trial | Paid: $US39.95)
- Check your email for the control:mapper activation key.
- Run the control:mapper installation file.
- Open control:mapper.
- Enter your email address and license key.
- Watch the conrol:mapper video tutorials here.
Zigfu Games
Zigfu is a way to make and play Kinect apps for PC and Mac. Simply follow these instructions:
- Do not plug in the Kinect Sensor into the computer.
- Download and install Microsoft's latest Kinect For Windows SDK.
- Restart the computer.
- Download and install the Zigfu Plugin for Windows or Mac.
- Download and install the Unity Web Player for Windows or Mac.
- Plug the Kinect into the USB port of the PC.
- To play gesture games/samples visit here.
- To create gesture apps using Java Script visit these locations 1, 2, 3 and 4.
- To create gesture apps using Unity3D click here.
Flexible Action and Articulated Skeleton Toolkit (FAAST)
FAAST is a skeleton tracking software that allows users to create their own full-body controls to integrate with any software program.
FAAST emulates keyboard input triggered by body posture and specific gestures. This allows any users, including teachers and students to create custom body-based controls to control any program using their body movements (e.g. control a flash game or Microsoft Office program with a using body movements or gestures).
FAAST is free to use and distribute for both commercial and non-commercial purposes.
Installation Instructions
FAAST emulates keyboard input triggered by body posture and specific gestures. This allows any users, including teachers and students to create custom body-based controls to control any program using their body movements (e.g. control a flash game or Microsoft Office program with a using body movements or gestures).
FAAST is free to use and distribute for both commercial and non-commercial purposes.
Installation Instructions
- If you are using an Kinect for X-Box on the PC do not plug in the Kinect to the computer's USB port.
- Download and install the latest Kinect for Windows SDK.
- Restart the computer.
- Install the Microsoft Visual C++ 2012 Redistributable.
- Restart the computer.
- Plug the Kinect into the USB port of the PC.
- Download FAAST from here.
- Run FAAST.
- Watch a FASST tutorial video below:.
Programs that require OpenNI, NITE and PrimeSense
OpenNI (owned by PrimeSense) was a non-profit organisation focused on providing open access to natural user interfaces. OpenNI (software), NITE (middleware) and PrimeSense (hardware) drivers are an alternative to the Microsoft Kinect SDK drivers. The following programs work only using the free OpenNI, NITE and PrimeSense drivers.
The following programs work using the OpenNI, NITE and PrimeSense drivers:
Note:
The following programs work using the OpenNI, NITE and PrimeSense drivers:
- ViiHaptic: Turns any display or surface of any size into a multi-touch screen! - OpenNI 1.5.4.0
- Kinoogle: Control Google Earth virtually using hand gestures (e.g. grab with two hands and expand to zoom in and contract to zoom out) or body motions (e.g. walking when using Street View) - Open NI 1.0.0.0
- KScan 3D: Scan 3D objects which can then be exported into various programs to allow users to manipulate and rotate 3D images (such as objects or people) for use in various informational and advertising materials
- Winect: Control Windows or Mac OS X using hand gestures.
Note:
- If you are attempting to install any of the following Kinect programs on a Windows 8 or 8.1 PC, you must enable notification for driver signature verification by following the steps from here: Windows 8 / Windows 8.1
- Every time you restart your computer, Windows 8 or 8.1 disables the notification for driver signature verification! So if you install an OpenNI/PrimeSense Kinect program and then restart/turn off your computer, you will have to re-enable notification for driver signature verification before attempting to install any OpenNI/PrimeSense Kinect programs by following the steps from here: Windows 8 / Windows 8.1.
- If you are attempting to install more than one of these programs you must ensure that you install them in order of their Open NI version. For example, install Kinoogle (OpenNi 1.0.0.0) then ViiHaptic (OpenNI 1.5.4.0)
- The OpenNI website was shut down on April 23, 2014, after Apple acquired PrimeSense. Some of the following programs that require OpenNI, NITE and PrimeSense drivers already contain the required files within each program's installation file(s). For those programs that require users to separately download and install OpenNI, NITE and PrimeSense drivers, working links to these files have been provided and hosted by Effective Curriculum Ideas.
ViiHaptic
Image © Covii
ViiHaptic when combined with a sensor such as a Microsoft Kinect amazingly turns any display or surface of any size into a multi-point touch screen!
ViiHaptic can also use the depth sensors contained within a Kinect to determine the difference between a touch and a hover (near touch), allowing users to potentially not just touch but also "handle" contents at a distance (pictured left).
Watch the video below to see ViiHaptic in action:
ViiHaptic can also use the depth sensors contained within a Kinect to determine the difference between a touch and a hover (near touch), allowing users to potentially not just touch but also "handle" contents at a distance (pictured left).
Watch the video below to see ViiHaptic in action:
Installation Instructions:
- Download ViiHaptic (15 day free trial) or buy it from here.
- If you are attempting to install ViiHaptic on a Windows 8 or 8.1 PC, you must enable notification for driver signature verification by following the steps from here: Windows 8 / Windows 8.1.
- Run the installation file.
- OpenNI 1.5.4.0 will install.
- PrimeSense 5.1.2.1 will install and you should be prompted with the following warning:
Click on 'Install this driver software anyway. Note: If the above warning message does not appear then you must enable notification for driver signature verification by following the steps from here: Windows 8 / Windows 8.1.
6. PrimeSense Kinect Mod will install.
7. Restart the PC.
8. Connect the Kinect via the PC's USB port.
9. Place the Kinect as depicted in the image and discussed in the dot points below:
6. PrimeSense Kinect Mod will install.
7. Restart the PC.
8. Connect the Kinect via the PC's USB port.
9. Place the Kinect as depicted in the image and discussed in the dot points below:
Image © Covii
- The Kinect sensor should be placed more or less perpendicular to the screen or surface one wants to turn interactive
- The distance between the Kinect sensor and the surface should be sufficient so that the sensor can “see” all the area you want to interact with, and that depends on the sensor (and lenses) used
- The Kinect sensor should be place at a distance greater than 500mm because this is the smaller distance one can obtain a depth image.
- The horizontal field-of-view for this type of sensor is bigger than 45 degrees, which means that you can fit in the image an object slightly bigger than the distance you are from it (e.g. If you have a screen that is 800mm wide and want to interact with all of the screen’s area, you can place the sensor at a distance of 800mm).
11. Configure the Kinect and ViiHaptic following Section 5 of the ViiHaptic documentation.
Kinoogle
Images © Bryan Blanchard, Benton Minges, Julio Montero & Cory Walker:
Department of Computer Science and Engineering Texas A&M University, 2011
Department of Computer Science and Engineering Texas A&M University, 2011
Kinoogle is a gesture and body movement interface for Google Earth, designed in 2011 by four university students: Bryan Blanchard, Benton Minges, Julio Montero & Cory Walker from the Department of Computer Science and Engineering at Texas A&M.
Once installed, Kinoogle creates a small GUI window which rests on top of the Google Earth desktop application (pictured left).
Watch the video below to see Kinoogle in action.
Once installed, Kinoogle creates a small GUI window which rests on top of the Google Earth desktop application (pictured left).
Watch the video below to see Kinoogle in action.
Video © Bryan Blanchard, Benton Minges, Julio Montero & Cory Walker: Department of Computer Science and Engineering Texas A&M University, 2011
As demonstrated in the video above, Kinoogle allows users to use gestures to interact and manipulate the map image on the screen:
View the hand gestures (pictured left) to see how users can easily interact with Google Earth. More gestures are available here and here.
- The system allows a user to move the view of the earth around. They can pan, zoom, tilt, and rotate the view. The system detects whether the user's hands are open or closed, so users are literally “grabbing” the Earth.
- Users can also enter Street View, and “walk” around on the street.
View the hand gestures (pictured left) to see how users can easily interact with Google Earth. More gestures are available here and here.
Image and information from Kinect Google Final Report and Presentation © Bryan Blanchard, Benton Minges, Julio Montero & Cory Walker: Department of Computer Science and Engineering Texas A&M University, 2011
Installation Files & Instructions
Pre-installation
Google Earth Installation
Kinoogle GUI Installation
- Uninstall any Microsoft Kinect programs (via Control Panel) and drivers (Computer--> Manage --> Device Manager).
- Uninstall any OpenNI, NITE, Prime Sense and Prime Sense Kinect Mod programs (via Control Panel) and drivers (Computer--> Manage --> Device Manager).
- Restart the computer.
- If you are using Windows 8 or 8.1, you must enable notification for driver signature verification by following the steps from here: Windows 8 / Windows 8.1 (Note: Every time you restart your computer, Windows 8 or 8.1 disables the notification for driver signature diversification! So every time you attempt to install any OpenNI or PrimeSense drivers, you will have to enable notification for driver signature verification by following the steps from here: Windows 8 / Windows 8.1.).
Google Earth Installation
- Download and install Google Earth.
- Close Google Earth.
Kinoogle GUI Installation
- Download the three-part installation package for Kinoogle (Part 1, Part 2 & Part 3).
- Unzip the contents of Parts 1 (1476-072X-10-45-S1.ZIP), 2 (1476-072X-10-45-S2.ZIP) and 3 (1476-072X-10-45-S3.ZIP) to the same hard drive location.
- Run (double-click) 'Additional_file.part1.exe' from that location and choose the desired installation directory for the Kinoogle installation files.
- Navigate to the Kinoogle installation directory.
- Open the KinoogleInstallerFull folder.
- (i) Read the warnings/recommendations below, (ii) then open the Kinect Installer Walkthrough.pdf and follow the steps in the guide.
- For Windows 8 or 8.1: During the installation you must see the following message (see image below). If you do not see this message then you have not enabled notifications for driver signature verification. If you did not see the message during the Kinoogle installation process then you must (i) disconnect the Kinect from the computer's USB port, (ii) uninstall all OpenNI and PrimeSense drivers, (iii) restart the computer, (iv) enable notifications for driver signature verification by following the steps from here: Windows 8 / Windows 8.1
- Inside the Kinect Installer Walkthrough PDF it states in step 2 to navigate to the newly-installed Kinoogle folder (C:\Program Files\Kinoogle) , run UpdateNITE.exe. - Do not forget to do this step
- Once all steps of the installation procedure have been followed then restart the PC/Mac before attempting to run NiViewer.exe or it will not work
- If when you run NiViewer.exe and the dialogue box states, 'Unknown USB device speed', then plug the Kinect into a USB 3.0 port (if the machine has one).
Google Earth Operation
There are several steps to take to make Google Earth work smoother with Kinoogle:
- Turn off the sidebar and toolbar: This can be done by selecting View and unchecking Toolbar and Sidebar.
- Turn off historical maps: Historical Maps is located under View, and make sure it is unchecked as well. This will allow Kinoogle to turn historical maps on when it is necessary.
- Put Google Earth into full screen mode. This can be done by selecting View and then Full Screen or by using the shortcut key F11.
Image © Bryan Blanchard, Benton Minges, Julio Montero & Cory Walker: Department of Computer Science and Engineering Texas A&M University, 2011
Kinoogle Operation
Once you have opened Google Earth and Kinoogle you should see the Kinoogle toolbar on top of the Google Earth window (pictured right).
There are five buttons (Exit, Map View, Historical, Street View and Menu) and two diamonds (Hand 1 and Hand 2: coloured red or yellow).
You must then follow the calibration steps from the Kinoogle Final Report by downloading the Kinoogle calibration and operation instructions here.
Once you have opened Google Earth and Kinoogle you should see the Kinoogle toolbar on top of the Google Earth window (pictured right).
There are five buttons (Exit, Map View, Historical, Street View and Menu) and two diamonds (Hand 1 and Hand 2: coloured red or yellow).
You must then follow the calibration steps from the Kinoogle Final Report by downloading the Kinoogle calibration and operation instructions here.
Kinoogle Further Reading
Whilst the file links and information contained above are exactly what you need to get Kinoogle up and running, the following links have been made available should you wish to peruse the original project documents:
- Project Files @ Google Sites
- Final Report
- Final Presentation
- Critical Design Review
- Journal Article 'Web GIS in practice X: a Microsoft Kinect natural user interface for Google Earth navigation' published in the National Institutes of Health Int J Health Geogr. 2011; 10: 45. Published online Jul 26, 2011. doi: 10.1186/1476-072X-10-45
KScan 3D
KScan 3D allows users to perform a scan of 3D object (by the user physically rotating the 3D object for image capture), align and combine them to then create a 3D image and save as common file formats to then be imported into various digital editing programs for manipulation and rotation. KScan 3D is particularly useful for scanning 3D objects for use in informational and advertising materials.
Watch the videos below to see KScan 3D in action:
Watch the videos below to see KScan 3D in action:
Installation Instructions:
KScan 3D is available for a 14 day free trial and it is super easy to install.
Tutorial videos are available here.
KScan 3D is available for a 14 day free trial and it is super easy to install.
- Download the Kinect3D installation file here.
- Run the installation file.
- Restart the computer.
- Connect the Kinect sensor the PC's USB port/
- Start KScan 3D,
Tutorial videos are available here.
Winect
Winect is a free program that allows users to control Windows using hand gestures.
Hardware:
Software
Download and install in this order:
- Connect a PC to a projector.
- Turn on the projector.
- Place the Kinect sensor on the ledge of the classroom whiteboard/wall where the projector is projecting or on top of the monitor (as pictured above) but do not connect the Kinect sensor to USB port on the PC.
Software
Download and install in this order:
- Uninstall any Microsoft Kinect programs (via Control Panel) and drivers (Computer--> Manage --> Device Manager).
- Uninstall any OpenNI, NITE, Prime Sense and Prime Sense Kinect Mod programs (via Control Panel) and drivers (Computer--> Manage --> Device Manager).
- Restart the computer.
- If you are using Windows 8 or 8.1, you must enable notification for driver signature verification by following the steps from here: Windows 8 / Windows 8.1.
- Install Microsoft .Net 3.5 Client Profile.
- Install OpenNI 1.5.x.x Development Version (64-Bit: 1.5.7.10, 32-Bit: 1.5.7.10).
- Sensor Kinect Driver: Step 1: Download Sensor Kinect Driver. Step 2: Then open the unzipped folder and navigate to Bin folder (avin2-SensorKinect-2d13967\Bin). Step 3: Run the msi windows file according to 32-bit or 64-bit PC select the windows installer package i.e., SensorKinect-Win-OpenSource32-5.0.3.4 for 32-bit PC or SensorKinect-Win-OpenSource64-5.0.3.4 for 64-bit PC).
- Install OpenNI NITE Development Version (64 Bit: 1.5.2.3 32 Bit: 1.5.2.3).
- Restart the computer.
- Download and install Winect.
- Plug in the Kinect external power supply and connect to the computer USB port. The new hardware should then be detected and drivers installed. If successful these will show up in Device Manager as items Kinect Audio, Kinect Camera and Kinect Motor under Prime Sense (In order to check whether the driver is successfully connected to your PC navigate to Device Manager (Control Panel--Printers and Other Hardware--System--Hardware--Device Manager or go to My Computer--Right Click--Properties--Hardware--Device Manager).