TouchKit


Creative Commons License
On this page we provide all the source code and hardware design files. All our software is available under the LGPL 3.0 license. Some software we rely on is made available under similar open source licenses. Hardware designs are available under a Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 3.0 License. We encourage both private and commercial use of our work and would like you to share your improvements with the community. If you are interested in alternative licensing please contact us.

Software

The TouchKit API is implemented as an addon to OpenFrameworks. With "TouchKit API" we generally mean OpenFrameworks + ofxTouch. Together they form a powerful base for writing innovative multitouch applications. At the moment we specifically support Xcode (mac) and Code::Blocks (windows) with more IDEs following soon.

ofxTouch is generally platform-independent and should work with any IDE that is supported by OpenFrameworks. If you don't see your favorite IDE in the above list please check the OpenFrameworks download pages, and setup pages for alternative IDEs.

For details setting up see the TouchKit setup page. We also have a growing number of examples projects and a dedicated examples page to document these in more detail.

ofxTouch Examples v001 for Xcode (mac)
ofxTouch Examples v001 for Code::Blocks (windows)

Hardware

In terms of hardware we currently have the TouchKit Run reference design. You are welcome to build one from scratch based on the design blueprints below or order an assembled version from us.

If you decide to build one from scratch we provide the essential design documents here. You will have to obtain all the parts from the part list and then assemble all the pieces. While most parts are off-the-shelf some are not. Specifically the acrylic layers and the IR strip lights are custom fabricated. To obtain these parts you will have to send the laser-cut schematics to one manufacturer and the printed circuit board schematics to another one. (Most laser-cut and PCB places should be able to deliver these parts)

For details regarding the assembly process feel free to ask questions on the TouchKit Run forum.

Screen Layers

The screen is build from 2 layers of laser-cut acrylic and a black cover sheet to seal the LEDs. Rear projection material and strip lights are sandwiched in between.

Infrared Strip Light

This is the light embedded in the screen. Each of the screens uses two of these PCBs with a total of 42 LEDs, 6 resistors and one coaxial power connector. The SMD LEDs are reflow-soldered with solder paste on a cheap large-size griddle.

Designed with OpenFrameworks and produced with the support of Eyebeam Atelier.