Interaction Devices

Igloo Core Engine supports a range of interaction methods for controlling content, navigating sessions, triggering actions, and interacting with the Canvas.

This page gives an overview of the main supported interaction devices and where each option is typically used. It focuses specifically on interaction with Igloo Core Engine. Some devices are configured directly in Igloo Core Engine, while others work through Igloo Control Panel, Igloo Core Service, external tracking systems, or third-party applications.

Some interaction methods can also be used with external applications, such as Unity or Unreal projects, but this page is primarily intended as a reference for controlling Igloo Core Engine itself.

Supported interaction methods

Touch input

Touch input allows users to interact directly with content on the canvas. This can be used with touch screens or touch-enabled projection surfaces.

Igloo Core Engine supports native Windows touch input and TUIO network touch input. Touch coordinates are mapped onto the canvas and behave similarly to mouse input, allowing users to interact with layers, UI elements, web content, and on-canvas controls.

TUIO input can also be assigned to specific canvas regions using ROI configuration.

Further reading:
https://docs.igloovision.com/documentation/current/touch-screen-support

Igloo Control Panel

Igloo Control Panel provides control from a phone, tablet, laptop, or other device. It can be used to launch sessions, control layers, provide simplified kiosk-style interfaces, browse and load content, and allow canvas interaction.

Control Panel can also be used for casting workflows and supported external application integrations such as Unity / Unreal

Igloo Control Panel pointer and gyroscope input

Control Panel can be used for pointer-style interaction with the canvas. This allows users to control a canvas pointer and interact with canvas UI without needing direct access to a mouse or touchscreen.

Supported input methods include DualSense / PS5 controllers and mobile device gyroscope input. For controller based input, the controller gyroscope is used to move the cursor, with controller buttons used for click input. For mobile devices, the device gyroscope can be used as an orientation input through Control Panel Game Controller mode.

Control Panel can also be used with supported Unity / Unreal integrations, but those workflows are covered separately in the relevant integration documentation.

Further reading:
https://docs.igloovision.com/documentation/current/game-control

OptiTrack

OptiTrack can be used as a tracked input device for controlling position, orientation, and canvas cursor behaviour within a workspace.

The OptiTrack integration includes options for enabling OptiTrack input, setting the Streaming ID, applying position offsets, and overriding position or rotation values.

Further reading:
https://docs.igloovision.com/documentation/current/workspace-input-device#OptiTrack-Integration

Logitech Spotlight / laser-style presenters

Laser-style presenters, such as the Logitech Spotlight, can be used as accelerometer-based input devices for canvas cursor control.

These devices are particularly useful when combined with Sticky Regions. Sticky Regions keeps the cursor inside the current layout region until the user applies continuous movement toward the edge, at which point the cursor can push through into the adjacent region.

This makes presenter-style input easier to control across multi-region layouts.

Further reading:
https://docs.igloovision.com/documentation/current/workspace-input-device#Sticky-Regions

Stream Deck

Stream Deck devices can be used as physical button panels for triggering Launchpad items.

When configured through Igloo Control Panel, a Stream Deck can replicate a Launchpad page named StreamDeck. Each physical button maps to a tile in the Launchpad grid, allowing users to launch sessions or trigger actions from a dedicated hardware panel.

Further reading:
https://docs.igloovision.com/documentation/current/launchpad-control-panel#Stream-Deck-Support

Natural language control

Igloo Prompty provides a natural language interface for controlling supported Igloo Core Engine actions. Users can type simple commands such as loading sessions, creating layers, moving layers, or controlling supported applications.

This is currently a beta feature and depends on license and configuration.

Further reading:
https://docs.igloovision.com/documentation/current/igloo-prompty-beta

API, middleware, and sensors

External systems can control Igloo Core Engine by sending API messages. This can be used for room control systems, custom sensors, show control systems, middleware, VR controllers, or bespoke applications.

For example, a Crestron control system can send API messages to Igloo Core Engine to launch sessions, control layers, or trigger supported actions.

Typical examples include: