All Right...After returning from my vacation, I am continuing to research the basics needed to build a multi-touch table. Of course, there is the hardware, but then the software is also essential, as there is not a significant amount of multi-touch software out there. In order to be able to write code compatible with TouchLib (I intend to connect the table to a PC), I need to know a good bit of C++, a language that I have little to no experience with. To learn enough for my table to be useful, I am going to start with an online tutorial (CPP Tutorial), and then see if I need more.

In terms of hardware, I need to make sure I have all the tools and materials that I will need available to me-specifically items needed to build the body of the table and the FTIR frame. I have had some trouble finding an affordable piece of pre-polished acrylic-my local sign shop is quoting $150 for the size I believe I need...so I need to do a little more looking for that.

So, while I haven't actually started assembling materials and putting it together yet, the process has started. Realistically, my starting date won't be for a couple of weeks at the least, due to my time constraints (summer stuff) as well as time to buy and ship the parts. More soon!

Multitouch Inspiration

All right...here begin my forays into the multi touch world. With inspiration from Bridger Maxwell's success (http://multitouch.fieryferret.com/), I decided that I too wanted to try to create a multi touch device, based upon Bridger's design. I began by reading all of Bridger's entries, of course, and then I began to look for the necessary parts (LCD screen, infrared camera from webcam, etc.), and I was able to find similar parts at several electronics stores such as best buy and radio shack. To ensure that my parts would work, I tried to find the same parts Bridger had used, and I did. You can find them at the following locations:

Acer® AL1916W 19" Widescreen LCD Monitor http://www.officedepot.com/a/products/970373/AL1916W-Widescreen-LCD-Monitor-Black/

Logitech Quickcam Chat
http://tinyurl.com/3zzfjb

Those are the two electronic devices needed to begin the project. I am going to do a little more research on the precise method of performing the various steps. Bridger provided a link to http://nuigroup.com , a valuable multi touch development forum. More updates along the way as I begin the project. (gone for 10 days on vacation, I'll start when I come back.)