This is a follow up to my previous post, where in, I demonstrated the use of Johnny Lee's application to manipulate any display or surface using an IR stylus. Since Lee's application was open source, I decided to extend that application and add a few features that presenters and educationists might find extremely useful. These features help increase the usability of the app by allowing the user to annotate on anything on his desktop.
Educationists might find the "Black board" feature extremely useful as it allows them to blank out the screen and draw and erase on it in multiple colors. The snapshot feature allows you to share your annotations in the form of images that you could create using any simple app like Microsoft Paint. My goal is to make this application feature rich and convenient to use. I need your help in understanding what you'd like to do with this application. If your suggestions are practical and feasible, you might find them in final release of the application and your name in the credits :-)
I have made a small video highlighting what the current feature set can allow users to do. Check it out and comment or mail me about what you think. If you like this app, then spread the word and let your friends know as well. This effort is made in a bid to dissuade users from using commercial applications which essentially work on the same technology at their core, but insist on a payment of around $35-$40. Great technology is one that is easy to use and that is easily available. I don't believe something so simple and so much fun should have a price tag on it. Help me in my endeavor to expand the scope of this application!
Here's the link to the video.
Educationists might find the "Black board" feature extremely useful as it allows them to blank out the screen and draw and erase on it in multiple colors. The snapshot feature allows you to share your annotations in the form of images that you could create using any simple app like Microsoft Paint. My goal is to make this application feature rich and convenient to use. I need your help in understanding what you'd like to do with this application. If your suggestions are practical and feasible, you might find them in final release of the application and your name in the credits :-)
I have made a small video highlighting what the current feature set can allow users to do. Check it out and comment or mail me about what you think. If you like this app, then spread the word and let your friends know as well. This effort is made in a bid to dissuade users from using commercial applications which essentially work on the same technology at their core, but insist on a payment of around $35-$40. Great technology is one that is easy to use and that is easily available. I don't believe something so simple and so much fun should have a price tag on it. Help me in my endeavor to expand the scope of this application!
Here's the link to the video.
suggestion: include a button to directly save the annotation screenshot to a file in a predefined folder settable via options. I can see the screenshot feature being used often. So this would reduce the pen strikes required.
ReplyDeleteOther than that...good work! How much can the scribbling equipment be had for? And no special monitor requirements right? Any old school one will work?
annotation panel -> 'always on top' option could be added along with saving screenshots as your friend pointed out...
ReplyDeleteReally cool, but what sort of hardware in involved again?? you've left out any hardware specs in your description above...and what is the sensitivity of this equipment...saw you have issues with breaks in feedback as you wrote...
yea... a direct save button would be great. the hardware is really simple. The stylus costs under a few dollars and its easy to make one or get one from the market (depends on which market ur in:) )
ReplyDeleteany surface that can be used to display your computer's desktop could be used. I've used a computer monitor, you could actually use your table if you have a small projector, a wall... anything capable of bearing a display.
Sensitivity depends on the visibility of the pen's tip to the receiver. If you cover the receiver's vision of the tip, you lose transmission. But for the most part, it doesn't happen. Its a limitation but you learn to adapt to it.