> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://mintlify.com/opentrack/opentrack/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# Quick Start Guide

> Get tracking in your game in under 10 minutes

This guide will walk you through setting up OpenTrack with a webcam-based tracker and connecting it to your first game. We'll use the **NeuralNet Tracker** which requires only a standard webcam and works out of the box.

<Note>
  This guide focuses on getting you up and running quickly. For advanced configurations and other tracker types, see the [OpenTrack Wiki](https://github.com/opentrack/opentrack/wiki).
</Note>

***

## Prerequisites

Before you begin, ensure you have:

* OpenTrack installed (see [Installation](/installation))
* A webcam connected to your computer
* A game that supports FreeTrack or TrackIR (e.g., DCS World, IL-2 Sturmovik, Microsoft Flight Simulator)

***

## Setting Up Your First Tracker

<Steps>
  <Step title="Launch OpenTrack">
    Open OpenTrack from your Start Menu (Windows) or application launcher (Linux/macOS).

    You should see the main window with three dropdown menus and a 3D head visualization.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Select a tracker input">
    Click the **Tracker** dropdown and select **NeuralNet Tracker**.

    <Note>
      NeuralNet Tracker uses AI to track your head position with just a webcam. No special hardware or markers needed!
    </Note>

    Click the **Hammer icon** (⚙️) next to the tracker dropdown to open tracker settings:

    * Select your **webcam** from the camera dropdown
    * Set **Resolution** to 640x480 (good balance of performance and accuracy)
    * Set **FPS** to 30 or 60 depending on your camera
    * Click **OK** to save settings
  </Step>

  <Step title="Select a filter (optional but recommended)">
    Click the **Filter** dropdown and select **Accela Filter** or **EWMA Filter**.

    Filters smooth out jittery movements. Try different filters to find what feels best for you.

    <Note>
      You can skip filtering initially and add it later if tracking feels too sensitive or jittery.
    </Note>
  </Step>

  <Step title="Select an output protocol">
    Click the **Output** dropdown and select the protocol your game supports:

    * **FreeTrack 2.0** - Most popular, works with many games (Windows)
    * **FlightGear** - For FlightGear flight simulator
    * **Microsoft FSX** - For Flight Simulator X/2004
    * **UDP over network** - To relay tracking to another computer

    <Warning>
      Make sure to select the correct protocol for your game. Check your game's documentation for which tracking protocols it supports.
    </Warning>

    For this guide, select **FreeTrack 2.0 Enhanced**.

    Click the **Hammer icon** next to the output dropdown if you need to configure protocol-specific settings.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Configure mapping curves">
    Click **Options** in the OpenTrack main window to open the mapping dialog.

    Here you can adjust how your physical head movements translate to in-game camera movement:

    * **Yaw** - Left/right head rotation
    * **Pitch** - Up/down head tilt
    * **Roll** - Side-to-side head tilt
    * **X, Y, Z** - Translational movement (lean forward/back, left/right, up/down)

    <Note>
      The default curves are a good starting point. You can fine-tune these later based on your preferences.
    </Note>

    For beginners:

    1. Enable **Yaw**, **Pitch**, and **Roll** by checking their boxes
    2. Consider disabling X, Y, Z translation initially
    3. Set **Asymmetric mapping** to ON for more natural feel
    4. Click **OK** to save
  </Step>

  <Step title="Start tracking">
    Click the **Start** button in the OpenTrack main window.

    Your webcam light should turn on, and the 3D head model should start moving as you move your head.

    <Note>
      Position yourself about 50-70cm (20-30 inches) from the camera with good lighting. Avoid backlighting (windows behind you).
    </Note>

    The head model should follow your movements smoothly. If it's jittery or not responding:

    * Ensure good lighting (add a desk lamp if needed)
    * Check that OpenTrack selected the correct camera
    * Try adjusting filter settings
  </Step>
</Steps>

***

## Connecting to Your Game

Now that tracking is working, let's connect OpenTrack to your game.

### Example: DCS World (Windows)

<Steps>
  <Step title="Enable head tracking in DCS">
    1. Launch DCS World
    2. Go to **Options** → **Controls**
    3. In the **View** category, you should see **TrackIR** bindings
    4. DCS will automatically detect OpenTrack via FreeTrack protocol
  </Step>

  <Step title="Start tracking before launching the game">
    Make sure OpenTrack is running and tracking **before** you launch your game.

    Some games only detect tracking devices at launch time.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Test in-game">
    Load into a mission or free flight and move your head. The in-game camera should follow your movements.

    <Note>
      If nothing happens, check that:

      * OpenTrack is running and showing "running" status
      * The correct output protocol is selected (FreeTrack 2.0)
      * The game supports head tracking (check game documentation)
    </Note>
  </Step>

  <Step title="Fine-tune response">
    If the camera movement feels too sensitive or too slow:

    1. Open OpenTrack **Options** (mapping dialog)
    2. Adjust the curves for each axis
    3. For less sensitivity: Flatten the curve
    4. For more sensitivity: Make the curve steeper
    5. Click **OK** and test again

    This may take a few iterations to get just right for your preference.
  </Step>
</Steps>

***

## Common Adjustments

### Reducing Sensitivity

If your in-game camera moves too much:

<CodeGroup>
  ```plaintext In OpenTrack Options theme={null}
  1. Click "Options" button
  2. Select the axis (e.g., Yaw)
  3. Click on the curve and drag points downward
  4. This creates a gentler response curve
  ```

  ```plaintext Quick Method theme={null}
  1. Use the mapping preset dropdown
  2. Select "Aggressive" or "Default"
  3. Test and adjust as needed
  ```
</CodeGroup>

### Increasing Dead Zone

To prevent small, unintentional movements:

1. Open **Options** → **Mapping**
2. For each enabled axis, add a small dead zone near the center
3. Drag the curve flat near the zero point
4. The camera won't move until you pass the dead zone threshold

### Adjusting Center Position

To recenter your view:

* Press the **Center** hotkey (default: **Home** key)
* Or click the **Center** button in OpenTrack
* Do this after settling into your normal gaming position

<Note>
  You can customize hotkeys in **Options** → **Shortcuts**.
</Note>

***

## Troubleshooting

### Tracking is jittery or unstable

<Steps>
  <Step title="Improve lighting">
    Add more lighting to your face. Avoid having windows or bright lights behind you (backlighting).
  </Step>

  <Step title="Enable or adjust filter">
    Try the **Accela Filter** or **EWMA Filter** and adjust their settings.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Reduce webcam FPS">
    Lower FPS can sometimes be more stable. Try 30 FPS instead of 60.
  </Step>
</Steps>

### Game doesn't detect head tracking

* Ensure OpenTrack is **running and started** before launching the game
* Verify you selected the correct **output protocol** (FreeTrack 2.0 for most games)
* Check that your game supports head tracking (consult game documentation)
* Some games require enabling head tracking in their settings
* Try running OpenTrack as **Administrator** (Windows)

### Camera not detected

* Check that no other application is using the webcam
* Try selecting a different camera in tracker settings
* Restart OpenTrack after connecting the webcam

***

## Advanced Topics

Once you're comfortable with basic tracking, explore:

### Other Tracker Types

<CardGroup cols={2}>
  <Card title="PointTracker" icon="circle-dot">
    LED-based tracking with 3 IR LEDs and an IR-modified webcam
  </Card>

  <Card title="Aruco Tracker" icon="qrcode">
    Paper marker tracking - print a marker and track it with a webcam
  </Card>

  <Card title="Hardware" icon="microchip">
    TrackIR, Oculus Rift, Tobii eye tracker, or Arduino-based solutions
  </Card>

  <Card title="FreePIE UDP" icon="mobile">
    Use your smartphone's gyroscope for head tracking
  </Card>
</CardGroup>

### Filter Tuning

Each filter has unique characteristics:

* **Accela Filter** - Smooths based on acceleration, good for reducing jitter
* **EWMA Filter** - Simple exponential smoothing
* **Alpha Spectrum Filter** - Advanced frequency-based filtering for the smoothest experience

See the [Alpha Spectrum Filter guide](https://github.com/opentrack/opentrack/blob/master/filter-alpha-spectrum/README.md) for advanced tuning.

***

## Next Steps

<CardGroup cols={2}>
  <Card title="Watch Gameplay Video" icon="video" href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XI73ul_FnBI">
    See OpenTrack in action in real gameplay
  </Card>

  <Card title="Community Wiki" icon="book" href="https://github.com/opentrack/opentrack/wiki">
    Detailed guides for specific trackers and games
  </Card>

  <Card title="Common Issues" icon="circle-question" href="https://github.com/opentrack/opentrack/wiki/common-issues">
    Solutions to frequently encountered problems
  </Card>

  <Card title="Report Issues" icon="github" href="https://github.com/opentrack/opentrack/issues">
    Found a bug? Let us know!
  </Card>
</CardGroup>

<Note>
  Happy tracking! Remember, it may take a session or two to find your perfect settings. Don't be afraid to experiment!
</Note>