Parts
This is a list of different parts and components essential or useful for a Tangible Landscape system. The page discusses advantages, trade-offs, and use of different components. Many parts are not needed, but can improve the setup or they make it easier to build. Hover or tap on the images to get tooltips with further description.
Although it is not required, it is quite advantageous to build a Tangible Landscape system using components from lighting equipment. The following terminology and sizes is what is usually used by the manufactures:
- C-stand (Century stand) is a vertical pole (column) or sometimes whole stand with adjustable height.
- Turtle base is a 3-legged platform for mounting the C-stand.
- Grip head (gobo head) is used to attached components together.
- Arm is a rod (tubing) which can be mounted to the C-stand. It typically has a one grip head permanently attached.
- Baby size of arms, studs, and receivers refers to 5/8 inch diameter which is approx. 16 mm, but in fact it is little less than that and 16 mm tube won't fit with most components.
C-stands are often sold in a set consisting of base, vertical column, grip head, and arm with a grip head.
Example:
- Avenger 40-Inch C-Stand with Grip Kit ($200)
- 20in Master C-Stand with Turtle Base Kit (Stand 2.5in Grip Head & 20in Grip Arm with Hex Stud) - Black ($200)
- Flashpoint 10' C (Century) Light Stand on Turtle Base Kit w/40 Grip Arm & 2 GOBO Heads and Baby Pin - Chrome ($120)
A compact turtle base is potentially good for traveling because the base if often hard to pack with the rest of the long but relatively thin stand. However, it provides much less support, so it is more applicable for a setup with a short throw projector then a setup with a heavy projector extended far above a model.
Example:
- Avenger Grip Head 2 1/2" ($30)
The the long arm which comes with the kit can be cut into two pieces, longer (2/3) and shorter (1/3) to get two arms.
Another alternative is to use Kupo Convi Clamp with Adjustable Handle instead of the Kupo 3 Way Clamp and use Kupo Grip Head with Hex Stud to hold a short arm.
Finally, you can use two C-Stand with Grip Kits in case the projector is very heavy and needs its own stand or the scanner is in different position than the projector.
Parts:
- Kupo 3 Way Clamp ($35)
- Kupo Grip Arm Support ($70)
- Kupo Boom Arm Support, KG201012
- Kupo Petite Clamp for Baby for 5/8 in (16mm) Tubing, KG600712
Instead of the Kupo Grip Arm Support, you can use the Kupo 3 Way Clamp with Kupo Baby Receiver for 3 & 4 Way Clamp to hold a short arm.
Example:
- Avenger F800 3-Inch Baby Wall Plate ($10)
- Kupo Baby Plate with EZ Grip Finger ($38)
![Screw](img/parts/screw.jpg "1/4"-20 screw for attaching projector or scanner to a wall plate")
- Kupo Monitor Adapter ($32)
- Kupo Baby Stud, 108mm long for 3 & 4 Way Clamp
- Neewer Photo Studio Heavy Duty Metal Clamp Holder with 5/8" Light Stand Attachment for Reflector
- Kupo 9" Baby Plate
Examples:
- Optoma ML750 WXGA 700 DLP LED ($500)
- Epson PowerLite 1795F 3LCD 1080p full HD ($950)
- Optoma EH460ST Data Projector ($1000)
Remotes are useful because often projector ends up little higher than most people can easily reach for turning it on and off or other settings. However, focus is usually done manually and thus setting it requires reaching at least the lens.
- Microsoft Xbox One Kinect ($50-$200)
- Kinect Adapter for Windows ($25-$200)
Currently, Tangible Landscape supports only Xbox One Kinect out-of-the-box. Xbox One Kinect is the second version, or generation, of Kinect (Kinect 2). Microsoft no longer produces these, but there is still plenty on the market. They require a separate adapter to be connected using USB to a standard computer (regardless of operating system). Prices of Kinect and original adapter fluctuate, but there are multiple manufactures of alternative adapters which are priced consistently low.
An earlier version of Tangible Landscape supported the first version, or generation, of Kinect at that time known as Kinect for Windows v2 (sold now as Kinect for Windows) which was equivalent of what is now sold under name Xbox 360 Kinect Sensor. Tangible Landscape code was depended on Microsoft's SDK and Microsoft Windows and was not sustainable, hence it was dropped when new open source based interface for new version of Kinect (what is now called Xbox One Kinect) was added to Tangible Landscape.
- System76 Oryx Pro ($1500)
- Wireless mouse
As most projectors come with an HDMI port, it is quite advantageous when the computer has an HDMI port as well avoiding a need for any adapter. Wireless mouse is really good for positioning the windows on a table.
Here are cables which usually don't come with individual devices
Display:
- Longer HDMI cable ($10)
- For the projector
- HoGadget 90-270 Degree HDMI Male to Female Adapter Right Angle
- VCE HDMI 90 Degree and 270 Degree Male to Female Adapter
- DIZA100 Any Angle Adjustable Rotation HDMI Male to Female Swivel Adapter Converter Black
Electricity:
- Extension cord ($10)
- Projector power cable itself is usually not enough.
- IEC 320 C14 3 Pin Male to C13 Female PDU PSU UPS Power Right Angle Extension ($10)
- IEC C14 TO C13 POWER ADAPTER PDU PLUG/SOCKET (or SOCKET UP) 90 DEGREE ($7)
- IEC 320 C7 to C8 90 Degree Up Down Angled Right Angle AC Power Adapter Extension ($7)
Table with light-colored desk is usually needed to achieve the right light conditions for the scanner (Kinect). Light color is also good for projecting dashboards and other things next to the model.
A whiteboard table can be used as is for dry-erase markers as an interaction.
- Waba Fun Kinetic Sand 11 Lbs ($50)
- Pad to put a sand model on
- Rug pad to prevent a model from sliding
- Assuming you have a model or a pad for a sand model
- Modeling tools
- Wooden cuboid pieces
- Box(es) for tools, cubes, buildings, etc.
- Have some extra sand around
- Felt pieces
- Dry-erase board or surface and markers
Note that in environments with a lot of people interacting or a lot of children, you might need to provide something like disinfection tissues to be used before and after using the system.
- Mini level ($5)
- Screw driver
