Getting Started

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Getting Started

Welcome to LookPilot! This guide will help you get head tracking working with your first game in just a few minutes.

What is LookPilot?

LookPilot is a head and eye tracking application that uses your webcam to track your head movement and translate it into camera control for games. This creates a more immersive gaming experience where looking around naturally moves your in-game camera view.

Quick Setup

Step 1: First Launch

When you first start LookPilot, you'll see the main interface with several tabs:

  • Gaming: Configure tracking and communication with games
  • Settings: Camera, performance, privacy, and interface options
  • Feedback: Send feedback to the developers
  • About: Application information

On first launch, you may be prompted to allow anonymous usage data collection to help improve the app. This is optional and can be changed later in Settings > Privacy.

Step 2: Camera Setup

  1. Go to the Settings tab, then Camera
  2. Click the dropdown next to "Select camera" and choose your webcam
  3. If you don't see your camera, click the reload button (⟲) next to the dropdown
  4. Position your camera so you can see yourself clearly in the preview
  5. Adjust the Resolution if needed (1280x720 is recommended for most setups)
  6. Optionally enable Mirror camera if you prefer the preview flipped

Note: On Linux, some cameras may not appear due to format compatibility. Try different cameras or check that your camera supports standard formats.

Step 3: Protocol Selection

Go back to the Gaming tab and configure communication with your game:

Windows Users

  1. In the Protocol dropdown, select:
    • FreeTrack: For most games (recommended)
    • SimConnect: For Microsoft Flight Simulator (only if FreeTrack doesn't work)
    • UDP: For custom applications
    • OpenTrack: For OpenTrack compatibility

Linux Users

  1. In the Protocol dropdown, select:
    • FreeTrack (Proton): For Windows games running through Steam Proton (recommended)
    • SimConnect (Proton): For Microsoft Flight Simulator through Proton (only if FreeTrack doesn't work)
    • UDP: For native Linux applications
    • OpenTrack: For OpenTrack compatibility

For Proton protocols, you'll need to configure your Steam installation and select the game you want to play.

Step 4: Basic Tracking Configuration

  1. Click Head tracking settings to open the head tracking window
  2. Make sure the axes you want to use are enabled:
    • Yaw: Left/right head movement (usually enabled)
    • Pitch: Up/down head movement (usually enabled)
    • Roll: Head tilting (optional)
    • X, Y, Z: Physical head movement (optional)
  3. Adjust Smoothness (0.3 is a good starting point)
  4. Adjust Deadzone (0.1 is a good starting point)
  5. Click OK to close the window

Step 5: Start Tracking

  1. In the Gaming tab, click Start tracking
  2. The button will change to Stop tracking when active
  3. You should see the 3D head visualization moving as you move your head
  4. If no camera is selected, you'll be prompted to select one

Step 6: Configure in Game

  1. Launch your game
  2. Check our game guides to find your specific game setup guide
  3. If no guide exists for your game, look in the game's settings for:
    • FreeTrack support
    • TrackIR support
    • Head tracking options
  4. Configure the game to accept head tracking input:
    • For FreeTrack: Enable FreeTrack or head tracking in game settings
    • For SimConnect: No additional setup needed in Microsoft Flight Simulator
    • For OpenTrack: Configure OpenTrack to receive UDP input on port 4242
  5. Test the head tracking by moving your head - you should see the camera move in game

Step 7: Center Your View

  • Press Center in the Gaming tab (or use the keybind Ctrl+Space) to set your current head position as the neutral/center position
  • Do this while sitting in your normal gaming position

Next Steps

Once basic tracking is working:

  1. Fine-tune tracking settings: Adjust smoothness, deadzone, and axis sensitivity in the head tracking settings
  2. Configure mapping curves: Click "Mapping" in head tracking settings to customize response curves
  3. Set up eye tracking: Configure eye tracking influence if you want combined head+eye tracking
  4. Create custom presets: Save different configurations for different games
  5. Check game-specific guides: Visit the game setup guides for detailed game-specific instructions

Troubleshooting

Camera not detected?

  • Try clicking the reload button (⟲) next to the camera dropdown
  • Check that your camera isn't being used by another application
  • On Linux, ensure your camera supports standard video formats

Tracking not working in game?

  • Make sure you clicked "Start tracking" in the Gaming tab
  • Verify the correct protocol is selected for your game
  • Check that the game supports head tracking and has it enabled
  • For Proton users, ensure Steam and the target game are properly configured

Tracking is jittery?

  • Increase the Smoothness value in head tracking settings
  • Ensure good lighting on your face
  • Try adjusting camera resolution or position

Tracking drifts over time?

  • Increase the Deadzone value in head tracking settings
  • Press Center to reset the neutral position
  • Ensure stable lighting conditions

For more detailed troubleshooting, see the Troubleshooting guide.