Help needed with OpenCV Face Tracking

[Invader_Zim]

Well, I downloaded OpenCV, but in the library, all I found was an object tracker, which may need some more tweaking. I didn't however, see any face tracking source code. Does it even come with OpenCV? Thanks in advanced!

[Invader_Zim]

*bump*

Anyone out there..?

If anyone could at least point me out to a tutorial on how to get the face tracking program running, that would be awesome. I know its supposed to come with OpenCV, but damn it I can't seem to find the source code! All I found was tthis object tracker, where you choose and object and the PC draws a red circle around it. Then of course comes the question, how do I make OpenCV control the hexapods movement. Has Matt released the code somewhere and I'm missing out on it? Am I asking for too much here? If so, let me know. I just want this thing to work. I mean, I spent a fortune on it and the thing is just sitting there gathering dust, simply because I'm too stupid to know what to do. Just know that I've been searching all over Google but have found very out dated or incompatible DOOKIE!

[Matt Denton]

There was a face tracker example with the version of OpenCV that I originally downloaded for iC hexpaod. I think it was V1.3 ?? However, it then took another 2 to 3 months of tweaking and coding to get the behavioural routines working satisfactory. I have not released this code, but I think PaulP has released his version of the face tracking code?

[Invader_Zim]

For the sake of my (in)sanity, I hope he did =) That would be the balls.

[florek]

For the sake of my (in)sanity, I hope he did =) That would be the balls.

I can't help you a lot but I had a look at OpenCV about half year ago. For sure there is a sample code with face tracking and it was as easy as plug and play (anyway there's lots of examples). When face is recognized then you've got X and Y of the center of the circle. Using that you can control the hex or just his head, or both. I tried this to rotate cube in OpenGL. I think you can do it by yourself. When I have more time, I'll look at OpenCV again and try to help. Anyway I think you can do it by yourself in no time Cheers.

[Invader_Zim]

Thanks for the help guys. Like I said before, I am merely trying to piece every bit of info together. When I took up on this challenge, I thought I would figure it out li'l by li'l, and although it has been hard to find info, I am getting there. So thanks again guys!

Well, as to OpenCV, I found this thing called "CamShift". I know I've said this many times, but I'm still confused about whether or not this is the face tracking app. It does has a red circle, so maybe thats the one you speak of? The tips I got from you and Matt have been very helpful. I'll be looking into the code all day today. Quick question, how would I extract (or feed) the X and Y into the HexEngine? Thats when I think I MUST edit the code in order for it to do so, and if its so, I will need some help =\

[Invader_Zim]

Alright. I give up. I have tried to figure out how to use OpenCV and the face tracking function, but I am completely stumped. I beg anyone with the knowledge; please help me out! I got a USB camera, and I have the robot directly connected to my PC (not wireless). If anyone could help me do a step by step, it would make me really happy. It has been almost a year, and the poor hexapod is just there gathering dust, because this whole time I was trying to figure out how to work with OpenCV.

Also, Matt, are you planning on releasing the source code for your face tracking program, or is that a top secret thing? Because if you are, I'd like to be the first to receive a copy. Or perhaps even an already compiled program...that would work for me!

I can't figure this out, and I actually feel like abandoning it. I hate being so stubborn sometimes...

Any help will be greatly apreciated.

Invader Zim

[Matt Denton]

Hi Invader,

I'm afraid I can't release the code I wrote for iC, as he is supposed to be a "one off". However, there is the ball tracking tutorial HERE and HERE, which is a good start to robotrealm, and on of our users got the hexapod tracking his face by tuning the colour to pink! There is also PaulP's OpenCV face tracking code which Tony was using. Paul released his VB code some time ago on this forum, have you tried that?

[Noodle]

Alright. I give up. I have tried to figure out how to use OpenCV and the face tracking function, but I am completely stumped. I beg anyone with the knowledge; please help me out! I got a USB camera, and I have the robot directly connected to my PC (not wireless). If anyone could help me do a step by step, it would make me really happy. It has been almost a year, and the poor hexapod is just there gathering dust, because this whole time I was trying to figure out how to work with OpenCV.

Also, Matt, are you planning on releasing the source code for your face tracking program, or is that a top secret thing? Because if you are, I'd like to be the first to receive a copy. Or perhaps even an already compiled program...that would work for me!

I can't figure this out, and I actually feel like abandoning it. I hate being so stubborn sometimes...

Any help will be greatly apreciated.

Invader Zim

I'm guessing you're using the library with C/C++ or something similar? I used the library for a proof-of-concept with a webcam attached to a servo, which was connected to an Arduino, which was all connected to a program called Processing, which runs a very-similar-to-c type language. Then used the face tracking example, expanded from it to send serial commands to the microcontroller and did the appropriate functions.

[Invader_Zim]

I just don't think I have the knowledge. I mean I tried and tried to learn it, but failed miserably. Thanks for the reply though!