DIY PJ Software...

[Dissident75]

My friend and i have been working on this projector (and all kind of miscellaneous projects) and had an interesting idea.

He's a programmer and so am i, of course i do web work and he does regular coding, be it vb, c++ or what not. And a interesting idea came to mind. A piece of software that actually does all the calculations for creating a diy pj, based on the lenses you have (based on FL, and design) and creates a rough design sketch based on the lenses you have. Be it a straight thru design, single folded design, or a double folded design.

You'd plug in your lenses specs, and it would calulate distance from condeser to first mirror, mirror to fresnel, second fresnel to lense, or second mirror, that kind of thing. Then it could give you a rough diagram of what you need.

We're seriously thinking about it if only for our own use. My question is would anyone here find it useful and actually purchase it? We're thinking very low cost, something like 5-10 bucks. Just enough to justify the work it would take to create it. Please give your feedback. If there is sufficient interest we'll start working on it immediately. And if any of the long timers here would like to contribute ideas it would be more than welcome.

I dont presume to know it all on design, but the calculations seem straight forward, and i think it would be a boon to this hobby. I can't help but think a lot of beginners are getting hung up on things like FL and distances between things. It would probably save a lot of time for anyone involved in this hobby, I figure i have spent a long time lurking and messing with things myself. Something like this woulda saved me a ton of time.

Please give comments sugestions or feel free to shoot it down. But give valid reason why we shouldn't bother.

Now i'm gonna go and have a few beers and putz around on my modded xbox til i need to pass out. Hope to see replies soon. Thanks.

[Quin]

Hi Dissident,

Sounds like a neat idea, It would fit in nicely with some theory pages already available. There is an excel document floating around that is a basic PJ schematic, complete with the ability to calculate distances and image sizes based on supplied lens/screen parameters - Nothing quite as indepth as you are planning though.

Making money from what you plan is doubtful, perhaps you could offer it to one of the DIYPJ companies to go in their guides? I suppose it depends on how long it takes you do make, but recognition is usually good enough in my book

[jcbklyny]

Good idea, but we already have excel spreadsheets that calculate that very thing. Everything from proper condenser size based on the arc of the lamp to the spherical reflector to mirror size and distances.

- JCB
www.diybuildergroup.com

[cornelius]

where would I find the excell spreadsheets i'm interested in finding out placement of parts and throw distance.
thanx for any help