I thought I'd start a thread about this alternative to TrackIR or FreeTrack.
Its big advantage is that no headgear or leds or spots are needed, it works by face-mapping using a standard webcam.
The software can be downloaded from http://facetracknoir.sourceforge.net/home/default.htm. Its relaxed donationware, if you continue to use it you should donate...

I'm using the PS3 Eye camera, which needs third-party drivers installed (Sony don't support PCs...) and can work at up to 100 fps but at a cost in cpu load.
The disadvantage of FaceTrackNoir is that face mapping does load up the cpu, though on a Core 2 Duo E8400 it's not a problem (yet).

FS2004 - start with something simple I thought...
Hah!
In fact all the files needed are there, but the docs REALLY need a step-by-step guide.

For FS2004 you have to copy the FSUIPC.DLL file from "ClientFiles/FS2002 and FS2004" in the FTN install to Modules in your FS2004 install.
Then run FTN, follow the manual instructions AND use File->Open to select the FS2004.ini file.
This will set the response curves appropriately to give a good starting point.
The absolute defauls are very difficult to work with (guess how I know...).
Then run FS2004 ... and it just works!
And I can now use the hat for trim.
Very favourable results with a light plane in a relaxed civ sim

ROF
Wont run off-line without patching, don't have time...grrrrrr.

DCS:A-10C
Works, but kills throttle and due to VERY slow GUI in A-10C decided to try something else. Mistake - should have persevered!

FF5
Doesn't work at all - this is strange as FF5 was one of the early supported sims. There is a LONG thread at the FF5 forum, probably the answer is in there.

F4AF
Works OK - throttle needed reassignment, bit of jitter, needs tuning, couldn't find anybody to shoot at.

BoB:WoV
Works but axes all wrong - hard to work out what is happening to be able to fix it.

IL-2
Works OK - would have been good but couldn't find good mission to try and couldn't get wretched bomb to jettison and hit wretched treetops trying to dodge wtretched 109 shooting at ME.

And now it was WAY past bedtime!
I think most of the problems would have been encountered with TrackIR also, and are from matching the sim to the tracking software (or just from me trying to do too much in too short a time or forgetting how to drive a sim I haven't touched in months)
Worth persevering with, more research needed.

Also works for driving sims and for Arma 2...

Cheers,
Keith

Thanks for the interesting info Keith!

Rise of Flight works quite well, using the config from the ROF forum. It's possible to dogfight using just FTN and the magic arrow, would be difficult JUST using FTN
IL-2 works, but falls apart dogfighting - more work needed on the config!
Free Falcon 5 works well for flying around, having found and modified ffviper.cfg:
g_n6DOFTIR was set to 1, I changed it to 0 but have seen advice to set it to 2

Tonight Blackshark, TDU and Dirt maybe

Cheers,
Keith

Time is money.

The time you waste trying to get FTNIR to work well (which is unlikely in my experience), far outweighs the money to buy a TrackIR unit. After you're finished tinkering around with FTNIR, you'll be blown away by how easy TrackIR is to set up and by how razor sharp accurate it is.

Its not the money, its the wearing of the dorky gear.

FNR hasn't been much of a problem, its largely resurrecting sims I havent played in a while and getting them to work with ANY tracking system.
Major FNR problem now is the gearing of head movement, not sure that TIR would be much better?

In case anyone's still interested....
IL-2
working a lot better, within the limits of IL-2
Condor
Works well, straight out of the box with no tinkering
DCS:A-10C
Works well, having spent the time patching the sim to replace the VERY slow GUI with the original beta GUI. Not a FNR problem.
Full 6-DOF with no problems.

Cheers,
Keith

Thanks Keith! I definitely need to look into this.

I've been put off buying TrackIR since I don't want to put things on my head either.

I'll read the link later, but is there a 'best' camera for this?

Black Shark
Works very well once I'd fought through the russian reactivation screens!
Black Shark is much higher-geared than other sims, needing much less head movement. Hover-taxying around buildings much easier.
Must try with Longbow...

Mike, I use the PS3 Eye, which is about 22gbp from Amazon. It's generally considered one of the best for FTN.
On experience so far, I'd recommend FTN for anything but dog-fighting Sims, where I'm still undecided.
I think Bob:WoV has the option to suspend tracking when padlock is engaged, used that way I think it would be fine. Don't think IL-2 has it, hopefully CoD will.

Cheers,
Keith

I have it running in FS9, sort of. It does work. Just has to be calibrated perfect I would imagine. Your typical person is never going to jump through all those hoops to get it working though.

Well, I'm now the proud owner of a second hand PS3 Eye camera so I'll be trying it out after work.

It had better work with EF2000 running in DosBox though....

I wish.
Still got EF2000 v1 in the original box I bought it in. Though the manual had started to fall apart before I got it home.
I had a look around and found some interesting posts by ..... mikew.
Looks like your on point for that one
Hope the camera wasn't sold by a disillusioned FTNr
Cheers,
Keith