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This guide will walk you through setting up OpenTrack with a webcam-based tracker and connecting it to your first game. We’ll use the NeuralNet Tracker which requires only a standard webcam and works out of the box.
This guide focuses on getting you up and running quickly. For advanced configurations and other tracker types, see the OpenTrack Wiki.

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Prerequisites

Before you begin, ensure you have:
  • OpenTrack installed (see Installation)
  • A webcam connected to your computer
  • A game that supports FreeTrack or TrackIR (e.g., DCS World, IL-2 Sturmovik, Microsoft Flight Simulator)

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Setting Up Your First Tracker

1

Launch OpenTrack

Open OpenTrack from your Start Menu (Windows) or application launcher (Linux/macOS).You should see the main window with three dropdown menus and a 3D head visualization.
2

Select a tracker input

Click the Tracker dropdown and select NeuralNet Tracker.
NeuralNet Tracker uses AI to track your head position with just a webcam. No special hardware or markers needed!
Click the Hammer icon (⚙️) next to the tracker dropdown to open tracker settings:
  • Select your webcam from the camera dropdown
  • Set Resolution to 640x480 (good balance of performance and accuracy)
  • Set FPS to 30 or 60 depending on your camera
  • Click OK to save settings
3

Select a filter (optional but recommended)

Click the Filter dropdown and select Accela Filter or EWMA Filter.Filters smooth out jittery movements. Try different filters to find what feels best for you.
You can skip filtering initially and add it later if tracking feels too sensitive or jittery.
4

Select an output protocol

Click the Output dropdown and select the protocol your game supports:
  • FreeTrack 2.0 - Most popular, works with many games (Windows)
  • FlightGear - For FlightGear flight simulator
  • Microsoft FSX - For Flight Simulator X/2004
  • UDP over network - To relay tracking to another computer
Make sure to select the correct protocol for your game. Check your game’s documentation for which tracking protocols it supports.
For this guide, select FreeTrack 2.0 Enhanced.Click the Hammer icon next to the output dropdown if you need to configure protocol-specific settings.
5

Configure mapping curves

Click Options in the OpenTrack main window to open the mapping dialog.Here you can adjust how your physical head movements translate to in-game camera movement:
  • Yaw - Left/right head rotation
  • Pitch - Up/down head tilt
  • Roll - Side-to-side head tilt
  • X, Y, Z - Translational movement (lean forward/back, left/right, up/down)
The default curves are a good starting point. You can fine-tune these later based on your preferences.
For beginners:
  1. Enable Yaw, Pitch, and Roll by checking their boxes
  2. Consider disabling X, Y, Z translation initially
  3. Set Asymmetric mapping to ON for more natural feel
  4. Click OK to save
6

Start tracking

Click the Start button in the OpenTrack main window.Your webcam light should turn on, and the 3D head model should start moving as you move your head.
Position yourself about 50-70cm (20-30 inches) from the camera with good lighting. Avoid backlighting (windows behind you).
The head model should follow your movements smoothly. If it’s jittery or not responding:
  • Ensure good lighting (add a desk lamp if needed)
  • Check that OpenTrack selected the correct camera
  • Try adjusting filter settings

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Connecting to Your Game

Now that tracking is working, let’s connect OpenTrack to your game.

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Example: DCS World (Windows)

1

Enable head tracking in DCS

  1. Launch DCS World
  2. Go to Options → Controls
  3. In the View category, you should see TrackIR bindings
  4. DCS will automatically detect OpenTrack via FreeTrack protocol
2

Start tracking before launching the game

Make sure OpenTrack is running and tracking before you launch your game.Some games only detect tracking devices at launch time.
3

Test in-game

Load into a mission or free flight and move your head. The in-game camera should follow your movements.
If nothing happens, check that:
  • OpenTrack is running and showing “running” status
  • The correct output protocol is selected (FreeTrack 2.0)
  • The game supports head tracking (check game documentation)
4

Fine-tune response

If the camera movement feels too sensitive or too slow:
  1. Open OpenTrack Options (mapping dialog)
  2. Adjust the curves for each axis
  3. For less sensitivity: Flatten the curve
  4. For more sensitivity: Make the curve steeper
  5. Click OK and test again
This may take a few iterations to get just right for your preference.

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Common Adjustments

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Reducing Sensitivity

If your in-game camera moves too much: 
1. Click "Options" button
2. Select the axis (e.g., Yaw)
3. Click on the curve and drag points downward
4. This creates a gentler response curve

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Increasing Dead Zone

To prevent small, unintentional movements:
  1. Open Options → Mapping
  2. For each enabled axis, add a small dead zone near the center
  3. Drag the curve flat near the zero point
  4. The camera won’t move until you pass the dead zone threshold

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Adjusting Center Position

To recenter your view:
  • Press the Center hotkey (default: Home key)
  • Or click the Center button in OpenTrack
  • Do this after settling into your normal gaming position
You can customize hotkeys in Options → Shortcuts.

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Troubleshooting

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Tracking is jittery or unstable

1

Improve lighting

Add more lighting to your face. Avoid having windows or bright lights behind you (backlighting).
2

Enable or adjust filter

Try the Accela Filter or EWMA Filter and adjust their settings.
3

Reduce webcam FPS

Lower FPS can sometimes be more stable. Try 30 FPS instead of 60.

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Game doesn’t detect head tracking

  • Ensure OpenTrack is running and started before launching the game
  • Verify you selected the correct output protocol (FreeTrack 2.0 for most games)
  • Check that your game supports head tracking (consult game documentation)
  • Some games require enabling head tracking in their settings
  • Try running OpenTrack as Administrator (Windows)

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Camera not detected

  • Check that no other application is using the webcam
  • Try selecting a different camera in tracker settings
  • Restart OpenTrack after connecting the webcam

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Advanced Topics

Once you’re comfortable with basic tracking, explore:

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Other Tracker Types

PointTracker

LED-based tracking with 3 IR LEDs and an IR-modified webcam

Aruco Tracker

Paper marker tracking - print a marker and track it with a webcam

Hardware

TrackIR, Oculus Rift, Tobii eye tracker, or Arduino-based solutions

FreePIE UDP

Use your smartphone’s gyroscope for head tracking

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Filter Tuning

Each filter has unique characteristics:
  • Accela Filter - Smooths based on acceleration, good for reducing jitter
  • EWMA Filter - Simple exponential smoothing
  • Alpha Spectrum Filter - Advanced frequency-based filtering for the smoothest experience
See the Alpha Spectrum Filter guide for advanced tuning.

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Next Steps

Watch Gameplay Video

See OpenTrack in action in real gameplay

Community Wiki

Detailed guides for specific trackers and games

Common Issues

Solutions to frequently encountered problems

Report Issues

Found a bug? Let us know!
Happy tracking! Remember, it may take a session or two to find your perfect settings. Don’t be afraid to experiment!

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