Freepoint 3D

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Freepoint 3D Windows driver splash screen

Freepoint 3D, also known as GP-12, is a line of 3D tracking input devices from Science Accessories Corporation. It was originally called GP-12 and later branded as Freepoint 3D.

Freepoint 3D uses up to four logical emitters; two on the 2-emitter probe (front and rear), three on the 3-emitter probe (A, B, and C), and one for the pilot (calibration bar).[1]

Freepoint 3D supports 6-degree of freedom operation. Along with the X,Y,Z location of the probe tip (the 1st 3 degrees of freedom), it is possible to define the orientation of the 3-emitter offset probe in relation to the 3 coordinate axes, defined as roll, pitch, and yaw.[1]

Products labeled "Freepoint 3D" are substantially similar to products labeled "GP-12".

They only track position of the tip of the pen, and do not track rotation. The GP-12 is based on the timing of the signals, not the amplitude.

The maximum update rate is at least 75 hertz, with a static resolution of 0.002 inches. The working volume is about 1 cubic meter.[2]

The GP12-3D is an ultrasonic product with an update rate of up to 75 Hz divided by the number of emitters being tracked. It was available in three models. These models all provide a resolution of 0.002 inches, but vary in working volume.[2]

On the front of the main box is only a power switch. On the back is a D-sub connector for the microphones, a D-sub connector for the probe / emitters, and an RS-232 connector.

Versions[edit]

  • Freepoint 3D XL-1 - 3.25 foot cube working volume
  • Freepoint 3D XL-2 - 8 foot cube working volume
  • Freepoint 3D XL-D - 16 foot cube working volume

Software[edit]

Freepoint 3D's Windows and DOS drivers provide compatibility with some 3D software packages. Direct driver interfaces are available for many 3D software packages including REV ENG, HighRES Shop, HighRES Studio, HighLIGHT, VertiSketch, CADDINSPECTOR, and HyperSpace.[3]

Parts[edit]

The GP-12 circuit board is made using through-hole construction.

  • Power-One HTAA-16W-A linear power supply - triple output: 5V, 12V, and -12V.
  • TI TMS370C256FNA 8-bit 5Mhz microcontroller in a 68-pin PLCC socket, which includes 512 bytes of on-chip RAM and 512 bytes of on-chip EEPROM, and a serial communication interface, SPI, two 24-bit timers, and a 16-bit timer.
  • One DIP chip with 64k of 70ns speed external SRAM
  • DIP ROM
  • A large number of 74LS and 74F series logic chips, mostly from Motorola, including part numbers SN74LS393N, 74F04N, 74F161AN, 74LS244, 74F74N, 74LS22N, 74F32N, 74F08N, 74F00N, 74F10N, 74F138N
  • Motorola MC1489AP RS-232 receiver, on the serial connection side
  • 74LS154 on the serial connection side
  • A custom SAC-branded DIP chip, one for each of the four microphone channels.
  • Pletronics P1100-HC 39.321600Mhz oscillator
  • 4x Cornell Dubilier WMF 6P1K 0.1uf 600V capacitor
  • 4x Ferroxcube P30/19-3B7 inductors (3B7 manganese zinc material)
  • IEC C14 power connector

References[edit]

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 "File:Fp3d 204.zip". 2026-04-16. https://www.xvrwiki.org/wiki/File:Fp3d_204.zip.
  2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 "Tracking Table". https://www.hitl.washington.edu/scivw/scivw-ftp/publications/IDA-pdf/TRACK.PDF.
  3. ↑ "GTCO Corporation, (say "gee-tee-co")". https://web.archive.org/web/19970119152427if_/http://www.gtco.com/free.html.
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