Xbox Kinect (OpenNI) FreeFrame plugins: Free download!

Note! This is an older post, a new post with NEW downloads here!

Please Note: This is not a sureshot working solution for all, but see the steps further down the article. 

The plugins use the OpenNI/Primesense/NITE libraries internally to get the depth and camera image in real time from (in theory any PrimeSense/OpenNI module) the XBOX Kinect controller, on PC. This is a tutorial how to make the attached Freeframe plugins work (No 100% guarantees given that it will work for you), the actual FreeFrames are in a .zip attached (link) at the bottom of the article.

December 20th 2012: There is an easier way to install OpenNI: The Zigfu installer which installs the OpenNI packages too, big thanks to damstraversaz for the link!

September 4th 2012: The newest download is "2012_09_04_NIUserKey1.zip" (PC Only) which contains both the FFCPU/1.0 and an FFGL/1.5 version, the needed OpenNI.xml and this article with instructions.

Current Parameters of NIUserKey1

• Image Alpha - Control the transparency of the image (background/non-detected items)
• User Alpha - Control the transparency of the detected user(s)
• Image Saturation - Control the saturation of the image (background/non-detected items)
• User Saturation - Control the saturation of the detected user(s)
•  

The coolness is to control effects on user and background separately: You can drag this source onto two layers (making two instances) in f.ex. Resolume Avenue, and then set Image Alpha to max and User Alpha to min on the lowest, then vice versa on the highest layer and you can then add different effects (as in the demos) separately on each instance/layer, yay!

Important: Download and use the 32bit versions of all files, since 64bit versions do not work with the plugins, this also goes for use on Windows 7 64bit!

Installation (Tutorial)

1. Download and Install OpenNI Unstable Build for Windows x86 (32-bit)
http://www.openni.org/Downloads/OpenNIModules.aspx

1. Click and choose "OpenNI Binaries" from first dropdown
2. Click and select "unstable" on next dropdown
3. Click and choose "OpenNI Unstable Build for Windows x86 (32-bit) v 1.5.4.0 Development Edition"
4. Run the downloaded installer openni-win32-1.5.4.0-dev.msi

2. Install avin2 modded PrimeSense drivers:
https://github.com/avin2/SensorKinect

1. Click "ZIP" on the upper left (next to "Clone in Windows") to download the .zip file and extract it
2. Unzip the file avin2-SensorKinect-v0.93-5.1.2.1-0-g15f1975.zip anywhere you want, and go to the "Bin" folder inside the extracted folder(s).
3. Run the installer SensorKinect093-Bin-Win32-v5.1.2.1.msi

3. Install NITE:
http://www.openni.org/Downloads/OpenNIModules.aspx

1. Click and choose "OpenNI Compliant Middleware Binaries" from first dropdown
2. Click and select "unstable" on next dropdown
3. Click and choose "Primesense NITE Unstable Build for Windows x86 (32-bit) v 1.5.2.21 Development Edition"
4. Run the downloaded installer nite-win32-1.5.2.21-dev.msi

Attach the Kinect and make sure to install the correct drivers: You can use the driver folder /avin2-SensorKinect-xxxxxxxx/Platform/Win32/Driver/ for installing the following: 

• "Prime Sensor\Kinect Camera"
• "Prime Sensor\Kinect Motor"
• "Prime Sensor\Kinect Audio"

If you can't seem to get the Kinect detected, after installing OpenNI, reinstall the avin2 drivers, and then re-plugin your kinect.

Note: Make 100% sure the Kinect external power IS connected FIRMLY in the socket, only USB power is (in most cases) not enough to drive the device and get the depth image input! I thought I had put it in, but it didn't sit firmly, this someone said in a forum and it solved my issues too.

Use this key (free) when installing, and in the OpenNI.xml): 0KOIk2JeIBYClPWVnMoRKn5cdY4= ...not even sure if one need this one anymore, I had no issues reinstalling here, but that said it mightve been already in the registry not completely removed (fyi)

4. Copy ONE of the FFGL or FFCPU plugin & the config .xml file:

In Resolume Avenue 3-4.xx on PC (for the NIUserKey1GL FFGL version):

1. Copy the NIUserKey1GL.dll into the video plugins folder: C:\Program Files\Resolume Avenue 3-4.x.x\plugins\vfx\
2. Then copy the OpenNI.xml(config file) into the main app folder: C:\Program Files\Resolume Avenue 3-4.x.x\
3. Then fire up Resolume Avenue, go to "sources" on the lower right tabs, and the FFGL plugin "NIUserKey1GL" should appear there, drag it into a clip-slot, since it is a source plugin and then you can experiment with it.

Freeframe 1.0/CPU plugin in apps without FFGL support: same as below, but the file NIUserLey1.dll:

NOTE: Load only ONE plugin at a time (I've got issues running several instances here, looking into that too for later..)

In other apps: copy the (FFGL or FFCPU depending on support) plugin into the app's freeframe/plugin folder, and the .xml into the app's main folder where the .exe is located.

See attachment at the bottom of the article for link to the free downloadable .zip files!

Disclaimer: Absolutely NO 100% GUARANTEES that it will work for you, NO WARRANTIES, just presented AS-IS, and proven to work for me at least, if there are issues I might look more at it to fix, let me know here (use "Feedback").

Cheers,
Thomas / Intrinsic

Note! The newest download is "2012_09_04_NIUserKey1.zip"