NaturalPoint Announces Optical Tracking Cameras, Software

Oregon-based NaturalPoint, which specializes in image tracking technology and computer control devices, has announced the release of a new line of cameras and software designed to offer clients a high quality and affordable means of capturing real-time 3D tracking data. Among the new products is the FLEX:V100 motion capture camera, which offers VGA resolution at 100 frames per second and a tracking range of 20 feet, as well as built-in strobed IR illumination, on board image processing and a high quality lens that comes standard with each camera. In addition, according to NaturalPoint, multiple USB cameras can be easily synchronized in order to create custom tracking volumes. Another camera in the new V100 line is the SLIM:V100, which NaturalPoint describes as “a perfect fit for custom designs and integration.” The camera includes the object tracking capabilities of the FLEX:V100 cameras, as well as a smaller profile and the ability to use a variety of accessories, including, lenses, cases, and filters. Finally, the company has also released its Point Cloud Software toolkit, which is designed to track markers in real-time 3D across multiple cameras. Packaged with a calibration tool, and providing developers with a means to hook into the data, NaturalPoint believes that this software can significantly save development time and resources by removing much of the time-consuming and resource-intensive programming previously required. The firm adds that in using the Point Cloud toolkit, 3D marker tracking is “easily achieved with three OptiTrack cameras and simple calibration.” Users can also preview their real-time capture volume and export XYZ tracking data to a custom application.