PoolTable
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Big rectangle. Green felt. Holes in the corners and in the middle of the long edges. A bunch of small solid balls. A study of dynamic physics. |
Big rectangle. Green felt. Holes in the corners and in the middle of the long edges. A bunch of small solid balls. A study of dynamic physics. |
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| + | Now it has occured to me that there are a few ways that this basic concept can be expanded upon and played with... |
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| + | |||
| + | == The Table == |
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| + | [[Image:Opticalpool.jpg|right|thumb|Image GIMPed by nemo]] |
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In more recent years, I've seen a trend in some clubs and high-end tables to have alternately coloured felt. Royal blue, white/cream, grey... |
In more recent years, I've seen a trend in some clubs and high-end tables to have alternately coloured felt. Royal blue, white/cream, grey... |
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| − | Recently I saw a table with a simple blue/white pattern (half each), and I got to thinking... |
+ | Some time ago I saw a table with a simple blue/white pattern (half each), and I got to thinking... |
'''Designs for pooltables''' |
'''Designs for pooltables''' |
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| − | * Geometric symbols, designs and equations |
+ | * Geometric symbols, designs and equations (eg: atom smashing patterns from a particle accelerator would be neat and appropriate? |
* Optical illusions (especially the ones that make parallel lines look curved or appear to be non-parallel) |
* Optical illusions (especially the ones that make parallel lines look curved or appear to be non-parallel) |
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* Semi-transparent with lights underneath. (Disco floor pooltable!) |
* Semi-transparent with lights underneath. (Disco floor pooltable!) |
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| + | ** Thick Acrylic instead of slate and white felt? Note that slate is commonly used "due to its thermal stability and chemical inertness" --[[Wikipedia:Slate]]. Can acrylic compare? |
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| + | ::: mr oCean: I would have some doubts about acrylic because it seems to crack quite easily. As an aside, though, if you couldn't get enough transparency with felt, you could use a clear silicone (or similar) cover to give the required friction, and that would also give a little impact resistance. |
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| + | ** Detect the location of the balls and 'display' stuff on the table appropriately. (eg: ripples). This could be done either from above (projector) or below through the acrylic, using the felt as a screen |
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| + | ** Ball detection would also enable other niftyness - for example, the movement of balls could trigger musical events. Your game of pool has it's own unique soundtrack. |
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| + | ** Lasers below could be used to project sharp clear lines for 'training' type games, or other general fun. |
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| + | |||
| + | == The balls == |
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| + | |||
| + | Another variation in play would be to use weighted balls. Basically - think of lawn bowls. Weighted balls would need to be visually marked appropriately, and would allow for the possibility of non-spin based curved rolling paths. |
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| + | |||
| + | == Links == |
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| + | * [http://web.mit.edu/storborg/ddf/ Disco dance floor - could be used for the table?] |
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| + | * [http://www.microsoft.com/surface/ Microsoft Surface To detect objects] |
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| + | * [http://www.abc.net.au/catapult/stories/s2470061.htm Transparent pool table] |
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| + | ** http://www.nottagedesign.com/ |
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| + | |||
| + | * [http://www.geekologie.com/2009/09/crazy_80000_projection_pool_ta.php Projecting onto the pool table and dynamically creating it based on the pool ball positions] |
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| − | http://www.nut.house.cx/~nemo/extras/pooltable/opticalpool.jpg |
+ | [[Category:Bookmark]] |
| − | (GIMPing by nemo) |
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Latest revision as of 10:30, 9 October 2011
Everybody should be familair with Pool Tables. (or Billiard Tables).
Big rectangle. Green felt. Holes in the corners and in the middle of the long edges. A bunch of small solid balls. A study of dynamic physics.
Now it has occured to me that there are a few ways that this basic concept can be expanded upon and played with...
[edit] The Table
In more recent years, I've seen a trend in some clubs and high-end tables to have alternately coloured felt. Royal blue, white/cream, grey...
Some time ago I saw a table with a simple blue/white pattern (half each), and I got to thinking...
Designs for pooltables
- Geometric symbols, designs and equations (eg: atom smashing patterns from a particle accelerator would be neat and appropriate?
- Optical illusions (especially the ones that make parallel lines look curved or appear to be non-parallel)
- Semi-transparent with lights underneath. (Disco floor pooltable!)
- Thick Acrylic instead of slate and white felt? Note that slate is commonly used "due to its thermal stability and chemical inertness" --Wikipedia:Slate. Can acrylic compare?
- mr oCean: I would have some doubts about acrylic because it seems to crack quite easily. As an aside, though, if you couldn't get enough transparency with felt, you could use a clear silicone (or similar) cover to give the required friction, and that would also give a little impact resistance.
- Detect the location of the balls and 'display' stuff on the table appropriately. (eg: ripples). This could be done either from above (projector) or below through the acrylic, using the felt as a screen
- Ball detection would also enable other niftyness - for example, the movement of balls could trigger musical events. Your game of pool has it's own unique soundtrack.
- Lasers below could be used to project sharp clear lines for 'training' type games, or other general fun.
[edit] The balls
Another variation in play would be to use weighted balls. Basically - think of lawn bowls. Weighted balls would need to be visually marked appropriately, and would allow for the possibility of non-spin based curved rolling paths.
