62 Responses to How to Setup VP4 Field of View Like Real Life

Manic Miker September 27, 2012 at 01:35 am
Thanks for that, to be honest I never really considered the FOV setting befire, I just always left it as defaut, even with VP3, but having read this I will certainly give the FOV settng a try.
Bard September 27, 2012 at 05:51 am
Would be even more realistic if display manufactures could implement the tech used in this clip: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Jd3-eiid-Uw
anonymous September 27, 2012 at 07:24 am
So my screen width is 34,5 cm. Eye distance is 56 cm. But I really fail at math, what does arctan mean? Can anybody confirm what the FOV is with the above screen width and eye distance?
Super Admin September 27, 2012 at 01:30 pm
That would be 34.24. That is reasonable given this is a pretty small display.
Count_Chalkula September 27, 2012 at 02:31 pm
So what would it be if my screen is 34 inches and I am 52 inches away? I came up with 66 but I am not sure I did it correctly.
Super Admin September 27, 2012 at 03:00 pm
I get 36 degrees
Diver September 27, 2012 at 02:44 pm
Inches or centimetres make no difference do they?  If it's a perspective thing?  My laptop is 34.5cm and I'm 60cm away.  That make MY optimum FOV setting 32 (rounded) which makes sense as the default 40 makes the table appear slightly longer than my RL expectation.

<a href="http://www.rapidtables.com/calc/math/Arctan_Calculator.htm#calculator">http://www.rapidtables.com/calc/math/Arctan_Calculator.htm#calculator</a>
 
Diver.
Diver September 27, 2012 at 02:45 pm
This is the site I used to calculate the above.
www.rapidtables.com/calc/math/Arctan_Calculator.htm#calculator
Super Admin September 27, 2012 at 02:58 pm
Units do not matter as long as all measurements are made in the same units.
RTC-UK September 28, 2012 at 07:52 pm
www.rapidtables.com/calc/math/Arctan_Calculator.htm#calculator Very Helpful link, Thx Diver :-)
I got 44'' screen & am 84'' away, so this gave me an arctan (0.26) & the the link above gave me 14.574216198 in degrees from the .26, I then multiplied that number by the 2 to get 29 FOV.
Still yet to give it a try, I had been doing real well on the default 40, so it'll be interesting to see how I play on 29 now.
Hope this other example helps others, I couldn't have done it without the link. Thanks again.
*update* I find 32 best FOV now.
RTC
Edited November 19, 2012 06:07 pm
Diver September 29, 2012 at 02:09 am
Oh, and RTC - thanks for making my link an actual link (I DID try...) :oD
Diver September 29, 2012 at 01:54 am
Some of you guys have some really nice setups.  Mind you, size isn't everything!
Count_Chalkula September 29, 2012 at 03:02 am
I entered my calculated FOV as suggested above. IMO now the FOV looks like I am tripping on acid (distorted depth perception), so.... I did some eyeball comparisons with VP4 and my real 9 foot table in my basement. The number I have come up with is 20 points higher than what the formula said. My question is this.....Doesn't the screen resolution play a part in this formula? No matter what size width my screen is, I can change the resolution and make the view and size change dramatically. So how can this be a solid formula? Please tell me if I am missing the obvious. 
Super Admin September 29, 2012 at 01:39 pm
The forumula is not perfect as you don't have the same viewing as RL. I also think the FOV that matches my RL viewing is a little higher than the formula says, though not as extreme as you.
Polomint September 29, 2012 at 06:43 am
I've tried this a few times, seems to almost agree with the fov I am already comfortable with.
RTC-UK September 29, 2012 at 08:45 am
I thought about the resolution after leaving last night, Count_Chalkula & also wondered that.
My res is 1360x768x32 because when it was on 1024, the balls for years in VP3 were elongated/eliptical, I never really knew this until in a pool hall (after years of not being in one lol) & the 'real' balls, looked egg-shaped lmao, it was doing my brain in & I kept blinking, I wanted to change real lifes resolution. So yeah I think resolution will have an effect of some sort, I'm sure along with zooming in or out.
The zoom must be part of getting a comfortable view as well, because I've had it where table & balls look just right & yet my chin (virtually) would be near middle of a 2 piece cue.

Played a few since last post, on 30 FOV, it's the lowest setting & found it looked good, however I was zooming out more to look around table & then zooming back in to take shots. Really that is like IRL where ya'd see more table as ya walked up to it.
Here's how the setting 1360x768x32 FOV 30 on 50" TV looks from where I sit.
http://i48.tinypic.com/168g96b.jpg
RTC
SharQ September 29, 2012 at 02:39 pm
This really is helping me pot more balls, thanks
Count_Chalkula September 30, 2012 at 01:16 am
Please don't get the wrong idea and think I am putting down the FOV function. I think it is a wonderful feature in VP4. I setup identical shots on my RL table and VP4 and walked back and forth comparing view points. I used the diamonds for reference and other times I used the cue as a reference and various combinations of both. I even used the spots on the cueball as a perspective measurement and the recommended FOV setting was not correct for my system. I guess my main point is keep an open mind and experiment to get the most out of this feature. I believe this could be one of the most important features of VP4 and should be tweaked just right. Thanks everyone for your input. Looking forward to playing online with you all.
RTC-UK September 30, 2012 at 06:25 am
I. layman's terms it's a case of trial & error.
Personally 32 FOV seems a little better than 30 here, & 34 isn't too bad either.
Becuase I still play VP3, it's hard to tell, been on 24 FOV years & got used to it, last night I tried VP3 on FOV 32, it was better, but I'm finding it hard to play both games here, yet have to go back to VP3 if I want to play mates online.
ps: Skydiver PM & Reply not working for me, I got your message. Can only think there was no space at each end of your link before.
RTC
Diver September 30, 2012 at 06:36 am
No worries, thanks.
RTC-UK September 30, 2012 at 06:52 am
Think PM worked eventually, the REPLY button didn't & your name kept disappearing from 'send to' lol. I think on top of that the site was just sorting some configs for me, being my 1st post.
Hope ya got it, it's in my sent now. bbl.
RTC
Diver September 30, 2012 at 07:31 am
Yes mate.  Reply didn't work for me either so I sent a new message.  Just typing "R" in the Send To box brought up a dropdown with all the members' names beginning with R for me to select.
TheLuckyCue September 30, 2012 at 10:25 pm
Since 99' I have never had an issue with vp, fov. I do thank you for the info tho. Player name set in stone now I suppose. ;o) On to online... let the games begin!
TheLuckyCue October 1, 2012 at 04:10 am
Oh btw this is not related to this post but, if any one wants a special pic for the profile i will be glad to make one for you for nothing... whatever you want!
Andy October 1, 2012 at 09:09 am
I'm using a 23" 16:9 LCD which is 51cm Viewable, and I measured my eye from monitor as 53cm so I came up with this equation (((51*0.5)/53)*2)*57.296 = 55.13 , so I enter 55 into the POV setting, but I think this stretches the ratio of depth to width too far, could it be that the ratio is ment for 4:3 and not 16:9 or 16:10 which most people will be using?
Super Admin October 1, 2012 at 05:19 pm
That is a very good question and it may have more to do with how the display is used in the game.  I think a widescreen monitor fits human vision better as it is wider than tall. But the outer area of vision in width is not where focus tends to be.  In pool you tend to look up and down, not left and right. So using the full width of a widscreen monitor may not work so well in the FOV equation. A lot of this comes down to preference too.
zwylle October 1, 2012 at 05:40 pm
I tried using 40 on my 3 monitor setup and the table almost looks like square. That's not the case when just using one of the monitors at 40. So somewhat height can't play that big a role. The only negative of the ultra wide screen is I can't zoom out far enough to get a decent view of bank shots.
9balldotcom October 1, 2012 at 09:44 am
I got bored with the whole idea of FOV and fell asleep after reading the first paragraph k
 
Super Admin October 1, 2012 at 05:19 pm
At least you read a paragraph, lol.
Polomint October 1, 2012 at 02:14 pm
I think we should provide a more detailed breakdown of the FOV... :)
RTC-UK October 1, 2012 at 02:23 pm
Andy, 51* 0.5 = 25.5 this diveded by your 53 = .4811, the this in degrees = 25.641005824 & then ity's that * 2 = 51 ish for you FOV.
I put the .48 in @ http://tinyurl.com/96bquxj to get deghrees as 25.64. All this is done BEFORE the final multipication of 2.
I'd suggest ya try different F'sOV ranging from 45 to 55 & see what ya feel is best. As some nights ya might be slouching lol.
Rich.
Andy October 2, 2012 at 10:20 am
LOL most nights rich to be honest :P
you are using 30, and your screen is 16:9,, they only major difference is your screen size and the distance you are away from it, but why should the FOV be any different, 30 would make the table seem much wider than it should be, if something was to move from side to side at the same speed something moved to and from you. the object from side to side would apear to be moving faster as the distance it travels is exagerated.
I know some VP players prefer lower FOV, It seems the players that graduated from VP Hall seem to use lower FOV, my guess as legacy or habbit as it would give more detail or iterations with aiming on lower resolution screens. I'm just after an authentic eye perspective.
Diver October 3, 2012 at 01:12 am
I played VP Hall and was glad to switch to what VP3 declared was "Real Life" FOV.  This is just an extension of that but it's definitely an individual thing based on system spec and personal preference.
zwylle October 1, 2012 at 04:36 pm
@Andy: Screen ratio doesn't matter. I have a 3 monitor setup, 1,25m wide. The computed FOV is 96, 90 looks like the correct table view. If I only use one of the monitors, same viewing distance, the computed FOV is 38 and seems correct as well.
Andy October 2, 2012 at 09:58 am
Thanks Z. My calc was 55 but I find 50 better, which is strange as when I first went from a CRT )1600x1200 at 4:3 to an LCD 1920x1080 at 16:9 with VP3 I found the balls looked a little oval, I changed FOV to 38 and it was better, yet with VP4 50 seems to give me a beter sense of angle perspective, my test is blue ball from its spot in snooker into mid pocket from a variety of angles.
Andy October 1, 2012 at 09:35 pm
I can't see why moving backwards and forwards a small or even a moderate amount would require any alteration to the ratio of width verse length on a flat screen, the fov seems to me to simulate the effect of magnification with an optical lens when used with zooming, maybe its more usefull to assist in correction depending how much you like to zoom in or not.
I have settled on 50 FOV as most realistic for me, next time i'm near a ful sized snooker table I'll try to take some pics that match the eye perspective and compare better.
Also Steve, I realy would of appreciated a numerical value on screen of how much zoom I'm using, at least while I'm zooming. I find this effects my aim more than anything and I still have to blindy fish for it. It was very much an anoyance in VP3
Super Admin October 2, 2012 at 12:03 am
VP4 does remember your zoom, even on restart.
Diver October 2, 2012 at 06:10 am
I'm guessing if Andy zooms out to get a wider view (which some bank shots and snooker escapes require) then he'd like a calibration to zoom back in to.  I do the same thing but just zoom back in until the table feels right again.
Andy October 2, 2012 at 09:47 am
Thanks Diver, Spot on, And  W to walk back is not enough for banks or escapes, And yes thanks Steve, I did appreciate you had added the setting to remember between sessions.
 
RTC-UK October 3, 2012 at 02:41 pm
Andy,
TBH I'd not looked at the snooker table.
RTC
Edited January 26, 2014 05:20 am
anonymous June 19, 2013 at 01:40 am
I don´t found the value FOV within Settings.
RTC-UK January 26, 2014 at 05:17 am
FOV = arctan(screen_width * 0.5 / eye_distance)
convert to degrees @ link & then multiply by 2. 
Read earlier posts too..
www.rapidtables.com/calc/math/Arctan_Calculator.htm#calculator
 
Edited March 2, 2014 11:03 am
Davexxx March 1, 2014 at 02:18 pm
Could i have some help with my fov setting im not lazy i tried the links but i cant work it out.   my screen is 44.5 cm wide and i am 60cm away from the screen res-1600x900    4:3 
Wolfpack March 3, 2014 at 02:58 am
https://docs.google.com/spreadsheet/ccc?key=0AkihUF25VeLGdENhaUhlaWUxdEFGQnlLTXB4SFJiR1E&usp=sharing#gid=0
 
You can use this sheet to calculate your FOV easily
Edited March 3, 2014 02:59 am
Davexxx March 3, 2014 at 03:26 am
ty
RTC-UK March 4, 2014 at 08:25 am
Hi Wolfy, I made your Excel a shorter address & link mate.
It's good as 6V's settings at your site is 40.69 & I had used old site to get 41.
Site below is easier for 'anyone' to put just width & eye distance in 2 boxes & hit enter.
http://tinyurl.com/q8cnsrw
Thx 2 Wolfpack all.
Wolfpack March 4, 2014 at 08:59 am
Thanks Rich. I tried to make it as link but I don't know how  :D
Davexxx August 30, 2014 at 08:44 am
Hi there Wolfpack,i checked your link again and it worked this time  TY it has been frustrating but i knew something in askew -a thought it was my eyes for a while there , all good ty again Wolfpack GRRRRR  ;)
RTC-UK March 2, 2014 at 11:00 am
V6 😜
I make your Arctan 0.375 (22.5/60cm) which eqates to 20.55604522 at link above. I double this to get 41 for a FOV. 
So try 41 & see how it looks. 
Maybe tweak it to 38 if occasionally ya tend to lean forward playing some shots.  
Edited March 2, 2014 11:00 am
Davexxx March 3, 2014 at 03:26 am
Thanks RTC much appreciated.
 
Andreas March 5, 2014 at 11:17 am
My calculated FOV is 42, but i love to play a nearer view (32). Dont like 42.. But thanks for the doc ;) Screen width 53 cm distance 69 cm Any disadvantages with playing with nearer view like 32 ?
Super Admin March 5, 2014 at 11:36 pm
Not really. The most important thing is to get used to the view. But note that changing monitor size, seating distance, distance of zoom from cue ball, all change you view. So try to make them consistent.
RTC-UK March 7, 2014 at 10:50 pm
Andreas,
In settings, camera, aiming. Last Distance option could be good to play a run with zoom view same as previous shot. 
I do tend to wanna zoom in & out still, just to look about table. 
Its good if I can see a run & get good position as then the Last Distance option works better. 
X for momentary overhead is usefull to avoid zooming so much. 
Jeef March 14, 2014 at 05:03 pm
Very simple shots in real life can be a bitch in vp4 due to lack of depth.
 
Is VP4 compatible with oculus rift? If so, I'm getting one!
Super Admin March 16, 2014 at 11:11 am
We will probably do something given there is enough demand. I would have supported 3D displays already, but there has not been much demand, most players say they don't want it.
Ka$h M0ney April 20, 2014 at 04:11 am
I've played VP4 in 3D.  It works very well in Nvidia 3D Vision.  I get a lot of ghosting on my active shutter 3D projector because of the high contrast of the ball colors against the solid green table.  But that's just a problem with the technology of the projector.  I have a Sony HMZ-1 3D headset with separate screens for each eye and the 3D is perfect.
 
I also have the Oculus Rift and would welcome some VR support.     
Hopefully before my Dev Kit 2 arrives in July :-)
Super Admin May 17, 2014 at 10:23 am
We will support the Ocullus Rift, but we are waiting for our dev kit too.
GuitarPaul May 15, 2014 at 09:52 am
Wow Ka$h - I've found a bigger 3D geek than me!
Jeef January 2, 2015 at 06:32 am
More important then the FOV is the zoom you're using. You should set your zoom to match real life distance to white, in order to then find the FOV that suits you better.
 
The easiest way to find your zoom or distance to cueball is by using the blue in the start of a snooker frame.
 
Observe the image below, it's the stance of Steve Davis, 6 times World Snooker Champion:
http://i.ytimg.com/vi/3PJQMCh0f0U/hqdefault.jpg
 
He uses a 3/4 cue, same as what you can find in VP4. His chin is a few inches ahead of the joint.
If you position your cue like the image below:
http://s24.postimg.org/kepsj07it/vp4online_2015_01_02_09_25_22_54.jpg
 
Zoom in until the blue ball is just about to disappear from your screen, and you should have the correct zoom.
Make sure you have zero butt angle and you're as low as you can on the cue.
Edited January 2, 2015 06:32 am
Snooker147 October 8, 2017 at 07:53 am
Hey everybody !!
here I am after pretty much reading every comment here :), I'm trying to set the FOV to get as close as possible to RL, I play UK pool. please help me :)

screen resolution  : 1366x768 (in game resolution 1366x768x32)
LCD Screen 15.6" 
50 cm away from the screen 

thank you !!!!!
 
Sorvete January 24, 2018 at 11:04 am
Snooker147, you can simply paste the formula from the original post in Google, put the values you measured where they belong and Google will do the math for you. Then you`ll have to convert the RAD value into degrees, but again, type it in Google and it will do it for you.
Be sure to measure everything in the same unit. For MY screen and seating position I got those values:
Screen width: 47.7cm
Distance: 43cm
Paste in Google this >> arctan(screen_width * 0.5 / eye_distance) * 2.0
Change the values >> arctan(47.7 * 0.5 / 43) * 2.0
Hit enter and you will get >> 1.0128429 rad
Copy that number and ask Google to convert it into degrees.
For my setup i`ve got 58.08 degrees.
Yes, Google is that smart.
Edited January 24, 2018 11:05 am
kylinvz March 14, 2019 at 06:30 pm
1.
FOV = arctan(screen_width * 0.5 / eye_distance) * 2.0
Using this formula to calculate the DFOV for the Display to eyes, but the GFOV of Graphics should be set at around 45 (43 - 49) for vp4, if you want to get the view realistic.
GFOV 40 is equivalent to 50mm lens over 35mm film.
GFOV 54 is equivalent to 35mm lens over 35mm film.
Even tho the range of FOV is supported by 30 - 120, its better to set it arround 45 only for a generic 16:9 display no matther the size of it.
Values far from 45 will induce either the wrong feeling of angles/space or distorion on graphics, especially when using 'walk back', watching above table and setting the eye position far away for aiming.
Yes, its the best setting to match the DFOV to GFOV, but you should try to get a larger monitor rather than setting a low FOV, otherwise you could change the distance for it from your eyes.
 
 
 
2.
The perspective is mainly affected by the distance from eyes to the objects, in vp4 which is defined by the zoom level and stored as the key "Shoot Distance" in registry.
The ratio of the size from cue ball to object balls affects the feeling for cutting balls, changing the distance will give you a lot of difference on feeling for cutting.
Most players here play with eye position at the bottom of the cue stick or even further, some play with the zoom level of seeing the whole cue stick like playing marble.
It makes the game much easier because the cue ball size will be close to the size of object balls, the cutting are easier and you can see more surroundings to feel the whole table so its also easier for cue ball control.  
But if you want to get a realistic view setting for shooting, you should try to set the eye position around the middle of cue stick, which should be around 30 inch.
 
 
3.
vp4 gives the default FOV of 40 degree, Shoot Distance of 35 inch from cue ball center.
The FOV could be set in settings -> camera, but the Shoot Distance could be set only by mouse.
If you want to set the Shoot Distance to match your real life playing, you can use the following command to set it to exact values:
******* (run this in a command terminal, close vp4 before execute this command) ********
 
reg add "HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Celeris\Virtual Pool 4\Current Version" /v "Shoot Distance" /t REG_DWORD /f /d 32
 
******* (run this in a command terminal, close vp4 before execute this command) ********
 
 
 
The number 32 (inch) at the tail is my setting, it depends on how tall you are, the stance and if u play with chin on cue or not, its person to person.
After setting this, when you use the hotkey of "Restore Shot Zoom" in vp4, the eye distance will be set with the right position for you.
 
 
 
Additionally, you can query the value of your current setting by this command (hexadecimal value for output): 
 
reg query "HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Celeris\Virtual Pool 4\Current Version" /v "Shoot Distance"
 
4.
I play with FOV 48 and Shoot Distance 32, you can try my settings if you have no idea how to start it.
 
Edited July 26, 2020 05:05 am