Common Questions

Tangible Engine is a software authoring environment that works with most of Ideum's multitouch tables (sizes 43", 49", 55", 65", and 86"). The software also works with the new Pano Dual 49" touch table. The software can recognize "touch" patterns that are created with conductive materials (we 3D print the tangible bases using conductive filament). These geometric patterns, placed on the bottom of a "puck" or "totem" are identified by the Tangible Engine software allowing programmers to connect events with the appearance, movement, or rotation of these objects.

Tangible Engine has been developed for Ideum touch tables and requires this hardware to run. It works with Windows 10 Professional, which comes standard on Ideum touch tables.

No. Tangible Engine is not supported on the Pano 100" touch table, but it is supported on the new Pano Dual 49" touch table. Ideum's Pro, Platform, Colossus, and Pico touch tables support Tangible Engine. In addition, our Presenter and Inline Displays (if laid flat) support Tangible Engine. Ideum touch tables sold before 2016, generally do not support Tangible Engine, contact our Sales or Support groups for details.

Tangible Engine is free with the purchase of three qualified Ideum touch tables or displays. It is available for purchase for orders with less than three units.

Yes. We’ve created a variety of different tangible objects out of all sorts of different materials. As long as the base of the object contains the conductive pattern, just about any object can be placed on top. We’ve developed tangibles using acrylic, wood, 3D printed objects, and other materials.

Yes. Tangible Engine supports rotation and it can be used for tangible user interfaces. Tangibles can be used as dials that bring menus or support other functions.

Yes. As long as the displays are connected to the same computer system (and all have touch). We’ve demonstrated support for up to four displays.

Watch the Video at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zp1S0D8zD9Y

The Tangible Engine SDK has support and examples for Unity3D, QT Quick and Node.js. Since Tangible Engine v2 has service-based architecture, it is possible to create new bindings that will work with additional languages and frameworks.

Ideum’s Creative Services group has built a number of different installations for a wide variety of Fortune 500 and Museum clients.

Interactive Coffee Experience for Starbucks
Bob Hope’s USO tours for the World War II museum
Interactive Wine Tasting for JCB Wines
An Interactive History Lesson for Planes of Fames Air Museum
Can it Kill You? Exploring Pathogens

Tangible Engine has been a product since June of 2016 with the release of Tangible Engine 1.0. It has had two major updates since then, the release of Tangible Engine 1.5 in the spring of 2017 and the release of Tangible Engine 2.0 in the summer of 2018. In the summer of 2019, Ideum announced Tangible Engine Support for the Colossus 86" touch table. Version 2.5 was released in December of 2019 with added support for development in Node.js. Version 2.6 was released in June of 2020, and now version 2.7 has been released in April of 2022. Ideum has been developing this software since 2014 when it released the Dynamic Desktop Office of the Future demo video.

Smart Tangibles have embedded electronics and LED lights that expand opportunities for interaction. Smart Tangibles have Bluetooth, Wifi, accelerometer, sound and vibration features that can be programmed to add additional functionality and feedback. Ideum created a demo of Smart Tangibles in the fall of 2018.

Watch the Video at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X0d89PAuVnk

Ideum has published a white paper entitled, The Evolution of Tangible User Interfaces on Touch Tables.