I have looked at several different planetarium software options(Celestia,
Stellarium, StarryNight, and others)  for our new digital planetarium projector
(Optoma HD 1080). Are any of them capable of a higher resolution projection on
the dome, or is it strictly a factor of the resolution of the projector and the
computer, not the software??
Thanks!

> I have looked at several different planetarium software options(Celestia,
Stellarium, StarryNight, and others)  for our new digital planetarium projector
(Optoma HD 1080). Are any of them capable of a higher resolution projection on
the dome, or is it strictly a factor of the resolution of the projector and the
computer, not the software??

There are lots of factors relating to the final quality of an image on a dome.
However when talking about resolution, a projectors native resolution provides
an upper limit on the resolution possible.

There are also considerations relating to the quality of the fisheye lens or
spherical mirror. Both of these introduce an image degradation, the amount
depends on their quality.

Regarding the computer, the resolution it uses when connected to the projector
should be the same as the native resolution of the projector, in this case
1920x1080. Both higher and lower values can result in poorer results.

The rest, with regard to resolution, comes down to software. Here you are
interested in whether the software is fully utilising the pixels in the HD
frame. There are some packages that don't do things optimally when creating
fisheye images, similarly if you are using warped fisheye images. As an example,
some software creates fisheye images at an insufficient resolution before
warping for the spherical mirror, these are obviously not going to get the full
benefit from a HD projector. For example, with an HD projector and spherical
mirror the fisheyes created for warping should be around 1600 square.

With a fisheye lens you have choices of whether to use all the dome or 3/4 dome
(two common lens alternatives) the later giving better quality on the portion
used. Similarly with the spherical mirror you can calibrate the warping mesh and
projector mirror distance to cover the whole dome or X% of the dome, same trade
off exists between coverage and quality on the portion covered.

Feel free to contact me offline if you have questions about specific packages.

Hi all,

We just today announced a new digital planetarium system, the Digitarium Delta.
If you're interested in learning more about it, the full press release is on our
website:
http://digitaliseducation.com/press-20090803.html

You can also contact me directly for more information: karrie <AT>
DigitalisEducation.com

Cheers,
Karrie
--
Karrie Berglund, Director of Education
Digitalis Education Solutions, Inc.
http://DigitalisEducation.com

Hi again, all,

I should have mentioned in my previous post that the Delta is a low cost, high
resolution system. We also have added some information about the Delta to our
product webpages:
http://digitaliseducation.com/products-digitarium_delta.html

Pictures and more details will be coming soon.

Cheers,
Karrie

--- In small_planetarium@yahoogroups.com, "Karrie Berglund" <bergieberglund@...>
wrote:
>
> Hi all,
>
> We just today announced a new digital planetarium system, the Digitarium
Delta. If you're interested in learning more about it, the full press release is
on our website:
> http://digitaliseducation.com/press-20090803.html
>
> You can also contact me directly for more information: karrie <AT>
DigitalisEducation.com
>
> Cheers,
> Karrie
> --
> Karrie Berglund, Director of Education
> Digitalis Education Solutions, Inc.
> http://DigitalisEducation.com
>

Hello everybody!

I'm proud to announce that our squad is willing to organize the

FIRST STELLARIUM SCRIPTS COMPETITION:

http://lss-planetarium.ovh.org/index.php?lang=en&page=compendium2009

Please tell anyone interested to participate to get in touch with us through the
above link.

The deadline has been put to October the 18th 2009.

A great amount of time for those interested to produce something !

May this idea give the opportunity to a lot of people to enter this wonderful
world of production
through this feature as it is really amazingly smartly made and permit to
produce so much fun !

Best regards,

Lionel RUIZ

LSS-Planetarium Open Project


_________________________________________________________________
Vous voulez savoir ce que vous pouvez faire avec le nouveau Windows Live ?
Lancez-vous !
http://www.microsoft.com/windows/windowslive/default.aspx

Hello everyone, long time I don't visit your group.

It seems a local museum will brought me a starlab dome, so I been looking for a
dome mirror, it seem there are many sources as amazon and officemax but it seem
they are made of plexyglass and doesn't say if they are first surface coated.

Please can you help me to find a first surface model

Thanks in advance

Hiram Villarreal

> It seems a local museum will brought me a starlab dome, so I been looking for
a dome mirror, it seem there are many sources as amazon and officemax but it
seem they are made of plexyglass and doesn't say if they are first surface
coated.
> Please can you help me to find a first surface model

If this is one of the original silver starlabs then be aware that it isn't
particularly good for digital projection. Can have specular highlights due to
high gain and the crinkles detract somewhat from the result.

The mirrors you are looking at are certainly not first surface. I suggest you
may choose to get one anyway since the mirror may not end up being the limiting
factor for the image quality. The standard mirrors are much lower cost and they
let you experiment without the high cost of the first surface mirrors which are
also very delicate and therefore not good during the testing phase. Can I
suggest you get one that is the same size as the 60cm first surface mirrors, see
the Acril site for details. Product 18535 here
     http://www.acrilconvex.com/halfdome.htm
Their first surface mirror is product code 20534hB.

Acril is still the only source of first surface mirror I am aware of, there was
another company exploring them but I haven't heard back yet on a product.

Hi all,

I haven't seen this conference mentioned here yet, so I thought I should inform
you.

Dates: September 1-4, 2009
Location: Chorzow, Poland
For more information:
http://www.chorzow2009.ajd.czest.pl/en_index.php

I won't be there myself, but I hope that some of you can attend.

Cheers,
Karrie

Many Thanks Paul.

Yes I already contact to that company you mention on your site, they already
answer to me.

Well I was aware about the original starlab dome problem, but this is just a
test.I am really exited about this test, I been following all the great advances
you made possible on this projection method.

I don't know but 2 years ago  I saw a metal made Convex Security Mirror
somewhere, but I don't remember the supplier.That mirror was intended for areas
with vandalism problem.

Some of you remeber a Metal made mirror? Or I just was hallucinating at that
moment lol


Thanks again

Hiram Villarreal
Solar imager.






--- In small_planetarium@yahoogroups.com, "pauldavidbourke" <paul.bourke@...>
wrote:
>
> > It seems a local museum will brought me a starlab dome, so I been looking
for a dome mirror, it seem there are many sources as amazon and officemax but it
seem they are made of plexyglass and doesn't say if they are first surface
coated.
> > Please can you help me to find a first surface model
>
> If this is one of the original silver starlabs then be aware that it isn't
particularly good for digital projection. Can have specular highlights due to
high gain and the crinkles detract somewhat from the result.
>
> The mirrors you are looking at are certainly not first surface. I suggest you
may choose to get one anyway since the mirror may not end up being the limiting
factor for the image quality. The standard mirrors are much lower cost and they
let you experiment without the high cost of the first surface mirrors which are
also very delicate and therefore not good during the testing phase. Can I
suggest you get one that is the same size as the 60cm first surface mirrors, see
the Acril site for details. Product 18535 here
>     http://www.acrilconvex.com/halfdome.htm
> Their first surface mirror is product code 20534hB.
>
> Acril is still the only source of first surface mirror I am aware of, there
was another company exploring them but I haven't heard back yet on a product.
>

> I don't know but 2 years ago  I saw a metal made Convex Security Mirror
somewhere, but I don't remember the supplier.That mirror was intended for areas
with vandalism problem.
> Some of you remeber a Metal made mirror? Or I just was hallucinating at that
moment lol

Yes, they were called "Mr Steely", I tried one many years ago and the image
quality wasn't as good as the other options. I often wondered about whether a
metal polisher could improve on them. They were also a bit on the small side
which limited the suitable projector range.
See
     http://www.seeall.com/products/dome_mirrors.html
They only make them up to 18 inches (45cm) [PVS18-180°] which is going to be
tricky, perhaps the Optomas will focus but I doubt it.

Hello everyone, well I know there are some comercial sources for warp videos,
but do you know if there are any full resolution with the warp effect already
applied  for download.

or even fisheye videos to be use with Paul's software on mi Mac
I only found some excellent video on a site mentioned here some links are
missing


for testing purpose of course

thanks in advance

Hiram

We've got an idea to set up several planetariums in Russia. On the
basis of modern type community services we would like to demonstrate
there different educational and cultural 3D-material using "XpanD
glasses". Unfortunately, we don't have real professionals here in
Russia, who are expert in such projects' creation, but we found your
forum and got a new hope. We would like to ask you a bunch of
questions, as far as you are experts in this craft.

We are planning to use the domes of the following dimensions:

Diameter - 6m; Height - 3m; (D8m\H4m); (D15m\H8m); (D20m\H10.5m); (D30m\H15.5m).

Of course we are not going to use all of them, but we will choose some
of them relying on your advices as for optimum relationship between
cost and quality. Would you kindly refer us to a manufacturer who
could sell it quite inexpensively and make it suitable for both indoor
and street variants with a reinforced framework used in changing
weather conditions?

What types of projectors would you recommend to use for mentioned dimensions?

Brightness - ?
Contrast - ?
Resolution - ?

We are familiar with two methods of producing a FULLDOME effect:
1)      the "Fisheye" Lens;
2)      the Surface Mirror.
Which of them, on your opinion, is more appropriate for our outlook on
3D projects and our dome' dimensions?

The main thing is the very movies. Our budget is limited, therefore we
are not able to approach the expensive 3D studios. We already have
several completed scenarios, but we lack 3D-professionals. Perhaps,
you could suggest some inexpensive 3D studios producing the FULLDOME
movies. It may be some individuals or groups united with this idea.
Also we would like to purchase the finished movie-reels on social and
scientific subjects.

Please forgive us for many questions - we don't have enough
experience, but we do have a desire to implement this project.

Thanks in advance!
P.S.: write me better to neon82@...

Dear All,
Lot of thanks to Paul Bourke as he always replies to this group queries even
that is simple one.

I am working with an Information R & D unit of CSIR India in Pune(india). Out of
curiosity, I would like to setup an small planetarium based on Paul's model as
it is feasible and low cost. My boss is very much impressed and gave go ahead
signal.

My limitation is that I have only Windows Machine having stellarium install on
it. I can arrange a fiber Dome. My actual problem is in arranging Security
Mirror.   In local market Acrilic Security mirror of size 45 cm is available but
it doesnt having sharp reflection surface.
Then as per suggestion from Paul Paper on Internet, I tried to mail at
sales@..., but mail was bounced back. I know to arrange it from
acrilconvex.com.au will be costly affair but I want to give a try or ask them to
give some indian contact.

Please anybody can give some idea, Can we use Windows Machine? If yes how can we
run videos other than stellarium in fisheye wrap mode.

Thanks
Alok Khode


       Love Cricket? Check out live scores, photos, video highlights and more.
Click here http://cricket.yahoo.com

> My limitation is that I have only Windows Machine having stellarium install on
it. I can arrange a fiber Dome. My actual problem is in arranging Security
Mirror.   In local market Acrilic Security mirror of size 45 cm is available but
it doesnt having sharp reflection surface.

You will also find the 45cm will further restrict the range of suitable
projectors. The HD Optomas might be OK but I haven't tested them. And of course
they are not first surface.

> I tried to mail at sales@..., but mail was bounced back.

Remove the ".au", it should be
     sales@...
If that doesn't work let me know and I'll find out what is going on.

> Please anybody can give some idea, Can we use Windows Machine? If yes how can
we run videos other than stellarium in fisheye wrap mode.

Just a word of terminology .. Stellarium is usually called a
"realtime/interactive" application. Videos are standard movies, except in this
case each frame is formatted as a fisheye. My player is Mac only. I don't
recommend this but it is possible to prewarp movies/videos, this turns them into
standard movies that can be played on any machine. I have a prewarping converter
for Mac and Linux, and lochnessproductions have a MSWindows version.

ps: Where in India are you located? There are spherical mirror systems in
planetariums in Bangalore and Chennai. I can introduce you to the directors
there if you are interested. Please feel free to bounce further questions
directly to me or through this forum if you think they are of general interest
to the group.

> We are familiar with two methods of producing a FULLDOME effect:
> 1)      the "Fisheye" Lens;
> 2)      the Surface Mirror.
> Which of them, on your opinion, is more appropriate for our outlook on
> 3D projects and our dome' dimensions?

In terms of single projector solutions there is very little difference between
them in terms of image quality .... assuming the spherical mirror approach is
configured optimally, not always the case with some suppliers and installations.

> The main thing is the very movies. Our budget is limited, therefore we
> are not able to approach the expensive 3D studios. We already have
> several completed scenarios, but we lack 3D-professionals. Perhaps,
> you could suggest some inexpensive 3D studios producing the FULLDOME
> movies.

There are very few people or companies creating stereoscopic 3D fulldome movies,
there are also very few stereo-capable dome systems in the world, most are
Infitech but active stereo can work also. I'm working in this area at the
moment, most practitioners are simply using two side-by-side fisheye lens with
the corresponding loss of correct stereo on the sides. There is another option
called omnidirection fisheye stereo that gets around the lack of stereo across
the dome with the above approach. It is relatively straightforward to create
such projections with CG content, somewhat harder do do it photographically ...
working on that now.

Bear in mind that the dome is itself a 3-D surface. As Andy Dolph pointed out in
his reply to your message on the Fulldome forum:

"Remember that dome projections are very immersive already and in some
situations can create amazing 3d illusions without any true 3d
(stereoscopic) projection."

I personally don't think using 3-D glasses adds much to the dome experience, but
I may not have seen a good 3-D system yet. I hear that the set up at Imiloa in
Hawaii is quite nice, and I hope to see it myself one of these days.

I did want to tell you about two things not mentioned by other folks:

1) Hopefully you are already familiar with my company's Digitarium digital
planetarium systems. We have a few different models, all using a single
proprietary fisheye lens. Basic information is on this webpage:
http://digitaliseducation.com/digitarium.html

You can click on a model name to get to more details.

We also sell inflatable domes, designed for indoor use only:
http://digitaliseducation.com/domes.html

2) Our Digitarium systems all run a customized version of Stellarium. If you are
not familiar with it, Stellarium is a free, open source application that you can
download from:
http://Stellarium.org

Details about the Digitalis edition of Stellarium are here:
http://digitaliseducation.com/products-stellarium.html

Stellarium has a scripting feature that enables you to create your own
prerecorded segments or shows--at NO COST, aside from staff time.

The Digitalis edition of Stellarium enables you to do the following with scripts
(features not yet available in the desktop version of Stellarium):

* Load solar system objects such as natural or artificial satellites, asteroids,
comets, etc.
* Play videos.
* Play a script from a USB or DVD-ROM.

You can also record a soundtrack to accompany your Stellarium script, which is
available with some of the desktop versions.

If you'd like to hear more about our offerings, please contact me: karrie <AT>
DigitalisEducation.com

Sincerely,
Karrie
--
Karrie Berglund
Digitalis Education Solutions, Inc.
PO Box 2976
Bremerton, WA 98310 USA

http://DigitalisEducation.com

+1.360.616.8915
--


--- In small_planetarium@yahoogroups.com, "pauldavidbourke" <paul.bourke@...>
wrote:
>
> > We are familiar with two methods of producing a FULLDOME effect:
> > 1)      the "Fisheye" Lens;
> > 2)      the Surface Mirror.
> > Which of them, on your opinion, is more appropriate for our outlook on
> > 3D projects and our dome' dimensions?
>
> In terms of single projector solutions there is very little difference between
them in terms of image quality .... assuming the spherical mirror approach is
configured optimally, not always the case with some suppliers and installations.
>
> > The main thing is the very movies. Our budget is limited, therefore we
> > are not able to approach the expensive 3D studios. We already have
> > several completed scenarios, but we lack 3D-professionals. Perhaps,
> > you could suggest some inexpensive 3D studios producing the FULLDOME
> > movies.
>
> There are very few people or companies creating stereoscopic 3D fulldome
movies, there are also very few stereo-capable dome systems in the world, most
are Infitech but active stereo can work also. I'm working in this area at the
moment, most practitioners are simply using two side-by-side fisheye lens with
the corresponding loss of correct stereo on the sides. There is another option
called omnidirection fisheye stereo that gets around the lack of stereo across
the dome with the above approach. It is relatively straightforward to create
such projections with CG content, somewhat harder do do it photographically ...
working on that now.
>

Paul, how much cost your prewarping converter for linux? I don't see it on your
webpage

Thanks Paul



--- In small_planetarium@yahoogroups.com, "pauldavidbourke" <paul.bourke@...>
wrote:
>
> > My limitation is that I have only Windows Machine having stellarium install
on it. I can arrange a fiber Dome. My actual problem is in arranging Security
Mirror.   In local market Acrilic Security mirror of size 45 cm is available but
it doesnt having sharp reflection surface.
>
> You will also find the 45cm will further restrict the range of suitable
projectors. The HD Optomas might be OK but I haven't tested them. And of course
they are not first surface.
>
> > I tried to mail at sales@, but mail was bounced back.
>
> Remove the ".au", it should be
>     sales@...
> If that doesn't work let me know and I'll find out what is going on.
>
> > Please anybody can give some idea, Can we use Windows Machine? If yes how
can we run videos other than stellarium in fisheye wrap mode.
>
> Just a word of terminology .. Stellarium is usually called a
"realtime/interactive" application. Videos are standard movies, except in this
case each frame is formatted as a fisheye. My player is Mac only. I don't
recommend this but it is possible to prewarp movies/videos, this turns them into
standard movies that can be played on any machine. I have a prewarping converter
for Mac and Linux, and lochnessproductions have a MSWindows version.
>
> ps: Where in India are you located? There are spherical mirror systems in
planetariums in Bangalore and Chennai. I can introduce you to the directors
there if you are interested. Please feel free to bounce further questions
directly to me or through this forum if you think they are of general interest
to the group.
>

There may be some here interested in this
      http://thinkoutofbox.com/
While the use here results in horribly distorted images (from standard video and
standard games), that need not be the case. With the right software it could
also be a "personal planetarium".

We can all use a good laugh, particularly on a Monday.

"Conspiracy Theorist Convinces Neil Armstrong Moon Landing Was Faked"

http://www.theonion.com/content/news/conspiracy_theorist_convinces_neil?utm_sour\
ce=a-section

Enjoy!
Karrie

The UK based Cosmodome Representative has opened a new website to be found at
www.cosmodomeeurope.co.uk  This details our fully equipped  Mirrordome
projection system, complete with software package, a 5 meter dome and audio for
US$24,240 ( UKPounds 14,600 ) Take a look.
Regards
Charles Treleaven
Cosmodome Australasia Pty. Ltd.

Hello there.

I'm setting up a project proposal for an institution in Brazil involving the use
of fulldome as immersive tools. I've originally suggested them to build a custom
dome for the project (as we are currently building for my university). However
the institution prefers to import it rather than producing it here (it's not my
call :/ but I believe they don't want to take chances, whatever).

Does anyone know where I can find good portable vertical truncated domes using a
spherical mirror system? The iDome from Australia would be my first alternative,
but I don't know if they have a commercial version of their product and if they
can ship it overseas (to Rio de Janeiro, Brazil).  The requirements I'm looking
for are: portability, a free central position (e.g. no fisheye in the center of
the dome), and a system that can run custom applications (e.g. Blender Game
Engine).

Thanks in advance,

Dalai
http://blenderecia.orgfree.com


      
________________________________________________________________________________\
____
Veja quais são os assuntos do momento no Yahoo! +Buscados
http://br.maisbuscados.yahoo.com

> Does anyone know where I can find good portable vertical truncated domes using
a spherical mirror system? The iDome from Australia would be my first
alternative, but I don't know if they have a commercial version of their product
and if they can ship it overseas (to Rio de Janeiro, Brazil).

This can be arranged on a commercial basis and no problem shipping but there are
only 2 molds available, 3m diameter (my iDome) and 4m diameter. Neither are
portable although SciTech did make a "truckable" version they move around
between sites, but it is a bit of an effort.
     http://local.wasp.uwa.edu.au/~pbourke/miscellaneous/domemirror/iDome/

> The requirements I'm looking for are: portability, a free central position

You might try and see if the Visionstation range is actually available from here
    http://www.vrealities.com/vrdomes.html
or even secondhand ... since Elumens no longer exist there are probably people
with these domes and dead projectors (with fisheye) who can no longer use the
dome. Personally I found the Visionstation 1 too small and not a hemisphere. The
VisionStation 2 is a better size at 2.2m.

> and a system that can run custom applications (e.g. Blender Game Engine).

The dome is independent of how one projects into it. Indeed if you use a
spherical mirror a smaller dome (compared to the 3m iDome) is preferable in
terms of projector choice.

Hello,

> Does anyone know where I can find good portable vertical truncated domes using
a spherical

For the dome, I know that Aula del cosmos had some monthes ago a special command
of a
system that could maybe fit:

http://andromede13.free.fr/lss-source/tilt60-1.jpg

http://andromede13.free.fr/lss-source/tilt60-2.jpg

It was for a demonstration stand of some big planetarium constructor.

It has the advantage of not being truncated.

>mirror system? The iDome from Australia would be my first alternative, but I
don't know if

A fisheye system could even be installed with the correct light deflection
system.
Or a "newtonian" spherical mirror system maybe.

>The requirements I'm looking for are: portability, a free central position
(e.g. no fisheye

Concerning portability, I think it is unbeatable :-)

>in the center of the dome), and a system that can run custom applications (e.g.
Blender
>Game Engine).

It'll concern only the computer you'll attach to the projector.

You can contact Albert pla for the inflatable dome system :
aulacosmos@...

Best regards,

Lionel RUIZ
_________________________________________________________________
Inédit ! Des Emoticônes Déjantées! Installez les dans votre Messenger !
http://www.ilovemessenger.fr/Emoticones/EmoticonesDejantees.aspx

<770560.28626.qm@...>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="iso-8859-1"
Content-Transfer-Encoding: quoted-printable
MIME-Version: 1.0


Hello everybody!
=20
Sorry to disturb those not interested with Stellarium but...
=20
It's just a reminder to tell that the stratoscript concours deadline is in =
less than one month now!

To give you the will to participate=2C here is a humoristic script-gift :
=20
http://www.andromede13.info/lss/compendium2009.zip
=20
Sometime ago I talked about deepsky objects and a work I was trying to achi=
eve.
=20
http://lss-planetarium.ovh.org/index.php?lang=3Den&page=3Dadd-ons
=20
See the Stellarium chapter=2C 2nd paragraph.
=20
I got all the authorizations=2C except at the moment Rainer Zmaritsch (2 im=
ages).
Concerning Hunter Wilson I assume that as it is on Wikipedia=2C there's no =
problem for any free use as inscribed in the copyright notice.
=20
Concerning the SMC and LMC=2C I use the great work from a friend (Stephane =
Guisard) working on the VLT who just asked to put a link onto his website i=
f using those images : http://www.astrosurf.com/sguisard/
We did good images of these too objects but not with an enough large field.
=20
If you have any comments or images that could be used for this free-deepsky=
-for-stellarium-project...
The positioning is not perfect though.
=20
I'll ask Fabien and Matthews to include them in the future versions of Stel=
larium too.
=20
Here is a video showing our efforts in Chile at the end of August in bad ob=
serving conditions (light pollution):
=20
http://andromede13.info/lss/milkyway-pisco_elqui.avi
=20
20MB AVI in 1080x1080 made with a 8mm Sigma on a CANON 5D Mark II.
=20
And in better conditions also but with the moon...
=20
http://www.andromede13.info/lss/startrails2-moonset768.avi
=20
Best regards=2C
=20
Lionel RUIZ
  		 	   		   =0A=
_________________________________________________________________=0A=
Vous voulez savoir ce que vous pouvez faire avec le nouveau Windows Live=A0=
? Lancez-vous !=0A=
http://www.microsoft.com/windows/windowslive/default.aspx=