Novint Falcon - User Manual

Falcon Quick Start Guide
Thank you and congratulations on the purchase of your new Novint Falcon!
Please do not connect the Novint Falcon to your computer prior to doing the driver
installation of Step 1 below.
Please run all Novint provided installers and programs using the Run as administrator option as
described below.
All software required to run and play games or create custom software applications with the Falcon
must be downloaded from our website download page. Only Falcon hardware is included … sorry if
the outside of the box still says otherwise.
Step 1: Driver Installation
a) Download the latest Falcon driver setup program (setup.Falcon.v4.0.28.0_100707.exe) to your computer
from our download page: http://www.novint.com/index.php/support/downloads .
b) Run the driver setup program using administrator privileges (i.e., right mouse click on
setup.Falcon.v4.0.28.0_100707.exe icon on your computer and select the Run as administrator). We also
highly recommend temporarily disabling you anti-virus/security software during the installation process.
Please Note: Run as Administrator option and being the sole user of a computer and having administrator
privileges are not equivalent.
c) After driver setup program has finished Connect the included USB cord between the Falcon and a USB port
on your computer (not through an external USB Hub) and connect the Falcon power supply to the Falcon and
an AC power outlet. Once your computer system senses the USB connection has been made, it will try to
automatically find the drivers for your Falcon you just installed. You will be informed if there were any
problems finding the Falcon drivers, but there shouldn’t be problems.
Step 2: Falcon Tutorial
a) Download the latest Falcon Tutorial setup program (setup.FalconTutorial_v1.1.0.0_070909.exe) to your
computer from our download page: http://www.novint.com/index.php/support/downloads .
b) Run the Falcon Tutorial setup program using administrator privileges (i.e., right mouse click on
setup.Falcon.v4.0.28.0_100707.exe icon on your computer and select the Run as administrator). We also
highly recommend temporarily disabling you anti-virus/security software during the installation process.
c) Run the Falcon Tutorial program using administrator privileges so that you can become familiar with the
Falcon and check the Falcon’s basic operation. Please note if default installation settings were used the
FalconTutorial.exe will be located in the C:\Program Files (x86)\Novint\Games\Falcon Tutorial folder on your
computer.
Step 3: Games or Custom Application Development?
Your next step depends on your intended use of Falcon device … playing games or custom program development.
You can, of course, always to both.
For playing games using our free 3D Touch Add On support for the games you already own you must install F-
Gen before installing the 3D Touch Add On for your games. F-Gen also allows you to use the Falcon as a mouse and
manages the haptic game profiles and settings for the free 3D Touch Add Ons. F-Gen should be active prior to
starting your 3D Touch Add On game and should automatically load the correct 3D Add On profile script file for your
game. The currently loaded script file can be viewed and modified using the F-Gen Manager. F-Gen is not required

Summary

Driver Installation

Download Falcon Driver

Download the latest Falcon driver setup program from the Novint website.

Run Driver Setup as Administrator

Execute the driver setup program using administrator privileges.

Connect Falcon Hardware

Connect the Falcon via USB and power after driver installation.

Falcon Tutorial

Download Falcon Tutorial

Download the latest Falcon Tutorial setup program from the Novint website.

Install Falcon Tutorial

Run the Falcon Tutorial setup program using administrator privileges.

Use Falcon Tutorial

Run the Falcon Tutorial to learn basic operation and familiarize with the device.

Games and Custom Development Software

Install F-Gen for Games

Install F-Gen for 3D Touch Add On support and manage haptic profiles for games.

Install Novint SDK for Development

Download and install the Novint SDK for custom application development.

Environment Variable Settings

Adjust NOVINT_DEVICE_SUPPORT variable using NDSetter for games or development.

Support and Common Issues

Contact Support

Direct questions to Novint support via email.

Connection Requirements

Ensure both USB and power connections are properly seated for functionality.

Calibration Procedure

Calibrate the Falcon by moving the grip if the light is red.

Troubleshooting Connection

Use direct USB ports, avoid USB hubs, for computer connection issues.

FPS Game Control Tips

Use default settings initially for FPS games, then tune for performance.

Overview

1. Function Description
2. Important Technical Specifications
3. Usage Features
4. Maintenance Features

The Novint Falcon is a haptic feedback device designed to enhance gaming and application experiences by providing a sense of touch. It allows users to feel textures, shapes, and forces within virtual environments, offering a more immersive and interactive experience than traditional input devices.

Function Description:

The Novint Falcon functions as a 3D input device with force feedback capabilities. Unlike a standard mouse or joystick, the Falcon provides resistance and tactile sensations that correspond to interactions within a digital space. For example, when a user moves a virtual object, they might feel its weight or the texture of its surface. If they collide with a virtual wall, the Falcon can push back, simulating the impact. This haptic feedback is achieved through motors and sensors within the device that apply forces to the user's hand via a grip.

The device supports two primary use cases: gaming and custom application development. For gaming, it integrates with existing games through "3D Touch Add Ons" or with specially designed "Full 3D Touch Games." It can also function as a mouse, providing a unique way to navigate the desktop. For developers, the Novint SDK (Software Development Kit) allows for the creation of custom applications that leverage the Falcon's haptic capabilities, opening possibilities for simulations, training, and other interactive experiences.

Important Technical Specifications:

While the manual doesn't list explicit technical specifications like resolution or force output, it does provide crucial software and connectivity requirements. The Falcon connects to a computer via a USB cord and requires an external AC power supply. It is essential to connect the USB cord directly to a USB port on the computer (preferably on the back) and not through an external USB Hub to ensure proper functionality and avoid connection issues.

The device relies on specific software components for operation:

• Falcon Driver: The core software that enables the computer to recognize and communicate with the Falcon. The latest version (e.g., setup.Falcon.v4.0.28.0_100707.exe) must be downloaded and installed.
• Falcon Tutorial: A program (e.g., setup.FalconTutorial_v1.1.0.0_070909.exe) designed to familiarize users with the Falcon's basic operation and haptic feedback.
• F-Gen: A utility that enables 3D Touch Add On support for existing games, allows the Falcon to be used as a mouse, and manages haptic game profiles. It is crucial for playing 3D Touch Add On games but should not be running when playing Full 3D Touch Games, the Falcon Tutorial, or custom applications.
• Novint SDK: For developers, this C++ language, force command-based SDK provides the tools, documentation, and code examples needed to create custom haptic applications.

All software installations require "administrator privileges" and it is recommended to temporarily disable anti-virus/security software during installation to prevent conflicts.

Usage Features:

• Driver Installation: The first step is to download and install the latest Falcon driver. It is critical not to connect the Falcon to the computer before the driver installation is complete.
• Connectivity: After driver installation, connect the Falcon's USB cord directly to a computer USB port and plug in the AC power supply. The computer should then automatically find the installed drivers.
• Calibration: If the light on the front of the Falcon is red after starting a game or application, it indicates that calibration is needed. To calibrate, pull the Falcon Grip all the way out towards you and push it all the way in against the Falcon Body three times. This procedure enables forces and turns the light blue, indicating readiness.
• Administrator Privileges: All Novint provided installers and programs (drivers, tutorial, F-Gen, SDK) must be run using the "Run as administrator" option. This is distinct from simply being the sole user or having administrator privileges on the computer.
• Software Management: Users must manage which software is active depending on their task. F-Gen is for 3D Touch Add On games and mouse functionality. For Full 3D Touch Games, the Falcon Tutorial, or custom applications, F-Gen should not be running.
• Environment Variable (for SDK users): If both the Novint SDK is installed and games/tutorial are used, the NOVINT_DEVICE_SUPPORT environment variable needs to be adjusted using the NDSetter program (included with the SDK). For games, it should point to C:\Program Files (x86)\Novint\Falcon\HDAL. For custom application development, it should point to C:\Program Files (x86)\Novint\HDAL_SDK_2.1.3.
• Gaming Performance: For competitive online First Person Shooter games, it's recommended to start with default settings for aiming and turning. Users typically adapt to navigation within an hour, become proficient in 20-40 hours, and many report surpassing their mouse-based skills afterward.

Maintenance Features:

The manual primarily focuses on software installation and troubleshooting connectivity issues rather than physical maintenance.

• Proper Seating of Connections: Both USB and power connections must be properly seated to ensure the Falcon functions correctly. Loose connections can lead to intermittent or non-functional operation.
• Direct USB Connection: To avoid connection problems, always connect the Falcon's USB cable directly to a USB port on the computer, bypassing any USB hubs. This minimizes potential power or data transfer issues.
• Software Updates: While not explicitly detailed as "maintenance," regularly downloading and installing the latest drivers and software from the Novint website is crucial for optimal performance, compatibility, and access to new features or bug fixes. This ensures the device remains up-to-date with system requirements and software enhancements.
• Calibration: The calibration procedure (pulling and pushing the grip three times) can be considered a routine maintenance step for ensuring accurate force feedback, especially if the device's light turns red.

In summary, the Novint Falcon offers a unique haptic experience for both gamers and developers. Its successful operation heavily relies on correct software installation, proper connectivity, and adherence to specific usage guidelines, particularly regarding administrator privileges and software management.

Novint Falcon Specifications

General

Brand	Novint
Model	Falcon
Category	Video Game Controller
Language	English