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Sim Dome (rear-projection on GOO-paint)

Discussion in 'DIY peripherals' started by Brightonuk, Nov 8, 2010.

  1. Brightonuk

    Brightonuk Member

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    Just a few more shots of how the dome mounting has been modified I used two 8020 Living Hinges to allow the dome to swing up.
    I will be adding an actuator to automate this motion sometime next week.

    I received a sample of the P95 and it is perfect I held it up to a projected image and it looks fine they sent me white and clear basically the clear is opaque just looks like it has been sandblasted the same effect you would use on a shower door. It is as good as Goo and no spraying an even color across the whole piece with the cost being marginally higher than regular 1/4 acrylic.

    The white works but the image not as clear due to the denser shading

    Still need a taker for the 2nd half of the dome to offset some of my cost…… common guys Frex 24” X 12” $1500 ++ this one 60”X 30” $300 shipped this is a no brainer!

    Attached Files:

  2. Brightonuk

    Brightonuk Member

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    Julian I need you to contact me regarding if you still want the 2nd half of the dome
    Please PM me ASAP with a yes or no
  3. octavio

    octavio New Member

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    hi, can somebody tell me pls where can I buy this dome?? cant find it here in Spain,
    thank you and congratulations for this awesome idea
  4. octavio

    octavio New Member

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  5. Brightonuk

    Brightonuk Member

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    As I progress I am trying a different approach to the dome screen concept, instead of Goo paint I opted for a “P95 Acrylic” this was supposed to be a perfect surface to project an image onto… alas It did not perform as expected the sample piece the company sent me looked fine holding it in front of the beamer but the dome is a disaster the image is nowhere near as sharp as using a clear acrylic and the Goo Paint.
    It also has a huge hotspot
    I have contacted the Goo paint manufactures and I will attempt to spray this dome hopefully that will solve the image issue.
    If not I will go back to the clear acrylic and the GOO paint as that offered excellent results.
    Looking back I should have stuck with what works and the Goo paint is without doubt the best option.

    The photos are of the dome just after it arrived so it still has all the protective film on it.
    I will post a Youtube of this to show the results and then another once I have sprayed it.

    Another issue is I wil have to use two beamers, as one canont cover the area of a 60 dome. But first I need to make sure using Goo paint over the P95 is going to give me the results I was looking for.

    Attached Files:

  6. Brightonuk

    Brightonuk Member

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    Here is a short video of the issues what works and what does not work.

    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zxMAmXyz6aI

    This is the largest dome I can get my hands 60 X 28 If you go with a dome they can blow it to 50% height of the width that is say you have a 60 Diameter dome you can make it up to 30 max height .
    In saying that I should of made this one even squatter 60 X 26 I think would be a better scenario as 28 is too high it would be more in tune with a cockpit if it was not as high.
    Although it is rather big but seems to be working very well.

    I want to try two beamers as you still lose about 10% at bottom corner leading edges but the image spread is very good with the Gametime PJ. However, right now it is a little cost prohibitive.
    3D was always something to try with this but again it will have to wait.

    I also tried projecting some Youtube video and that looks very good as well, so if anyone has a flight or race video that is exceptional send me a link and I will try to get it up on this screen.
    If you do this GOO paint is the only product to use I was amazed at the difference after only one light coat.

    In conclusion IMOO the pros and cons of the three options I tried:

    Triple LCD screen:• Pro > Great Resolution and detail
    • Cons > Not very immersive, expensive

    Big 96” X 36”Curved Screen:
    • Pro > Price (my one was a $30 piece of plastic signboard)
    • More immersive than the LCD’s good for a few weeks.

    • Cons > Takes up way too much room,
    • Resolution detail suffers (also You gotta have a good PJ to avoid the screen door effect) and
    after two weeks it is not as immersive you are too far away from the action you still feel like you are looking at a big screen and not in a cockpit.
    • Space needed

    Dome:
    • Pro : > Price and if you split it with someone it will be half the price this is a no brainer!
    • Good detail, close to the action (Your head is in the dome) very immersive
    • Great FOV, Compact over the other two
    • Can be made any size for any space of budget

    • Cons > Not as detailed as an LCD
    • Takes time and patience to cut and spray
    • Need more than one Beamer for complete coverage,
    • Shipping cost is a killer if you do not have a relationship with a carrier (The company wanted $275 to ship I got it shipped for $125.00),
    • Space needed not as much as the Big ass screen but the beamer is a pain to position correctly if you have a Playtime as it does not have a zoom.
    • Still trying to figure out how to mount a TrackIR inside the dome

    Even though I was more detailed on the cons of a dome concept I firmly believe this is the way to go. You do not need a 60” diameter dome, the Frex in very much smaller and still looks good you can even just sit it on a table in from of you.
    If someone (with better math’s than I have) can equate 60” X 26” in a percentage difference, it may help anyone who is looking to get one of these orders the correct width height ratio.
  7. Frakk

    Frakk Active Member

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    Looking very good! If I can score a cheap PJ, I will definitely give this a try!

    Can you post a link to the GOO paint please?
  8. Brightonuk

    Brightonuk Member

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    http://www.goosystemsglobal.com/index2237f.html

    Very Helpfull people.

    And even for a 60 dome you only need 500ml and you will have with some to spare.
    Just take your time and use a good sprayer with an inline filter (you only get one shot)
    SLOW and LIGHT it drys very quickly, try it then add another layer if need be.
    Just like painting a car you have to get an even coat
  9. thejester09

    thejester09 New Member

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    now where can one order that p95 dome with your recommended specs of 60 x 26 from? ima be all over this.
  10. SlickR

    SlickR New Member Gold Contributor

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    I wish to comment on the possible TrackIR placement.
    What if you mount it behind you, and then invert all of the 6 DOF settings.
    You would also need to wear your cap with the reflectors backwards.
    Just a thought, bet it would work.
  11. Nima

    Nima Member Gold Contributor

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    hi,
    good idea slickr.
    brightonuk:i have on my dom now a revolution over a dualheat digital from matrox (is work with a tribble digital to) from 3840x1080 (2x 1920x1080) but say in the nthusim soft only 1 projektor and than make the convergence with
    nthusim soft new and all is better.
  12. binky9

    binky9 New Member

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    Brightonuk,

    I am a couple of years behind on this (just found the forum). What has been your experience with your dome?

    Can you give me some detailed info and pics of what your setup looks like? I'm about to start looking seriously into a dome, myself.

    Any help much appreciated,

    Binky9
  13. abs

    abs Active Member Gold Contributor

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    hello

    i dont know if we can still post here/ i ll give a try

    can you give details on

    where to apply the goo paint outside or inside
    the projetctor needs to go in front of the driver and send a reversed image ? what is the distance (rigth up or in a diagonal line)?
    do we need a triplehead2go? how do you obtain the resolution

    i intend to go with 20 inches high? is this OK
    what is the size of the frex canopy

    thank you guys for any feedback
  14. Nima

    Nima Member Gold Contributor

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    Hi
    I have the paint outside.i have a 60 inch Dom and the Projektor is over my Head
    Than to a mirror and than on the dom .but now i use only One Projektor.
  15. ericRacer

    ericRacer You get old because you stop playing ! Gold Contributor

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    Do you have picture of your septup ?
  16. 741852cp

    741852cp Member

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    One projector, inexpensive solution. The screen is what material?
  17. Bodax

    Bodax Member

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    The image is not distorted?
  18. telfel

    telfel Active Member

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    When availlable CastAR in AR mode ?

    http://castar.com/

    mines on order via kickstarter

    regards Terry
  19. Bodax

    Bodax Member

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    It's very cool,I want one de suite.
  20. RacingMat

    RacingMat Well-Known Member Gold Contributor

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