Step 5: Calibration & Alignment

What You'll Do

Calibration is the process that tells ICATS exactly where your table is relative to the projector. You will move four calibration handles to the 1-by-1 diamond intersections on the table, and ICATS will use those positions to fit all future images precisely to the playing surface.

The primary method uses the EZUI -- a browser-based interface on your phone or tablet. An alternate keyboard-based method is available if the EZUI is not accessible.

Before You Start

ICATS is running and a QR code is visible on the table surface
Phone or tablet is available for the EZUI method
WiFi is connected (completed in Step 4)

Primary Method -- Calibration via EZUI

Launch the EZUI

Scan the QR code
Open the camera app on your phone or tablet and scan the QR code displayed on the table. Tap the link that appears to open the EZUI in your browser.
If the QR code is not readable -- which is normal before calibration, because the image may be skewed -- type the URL shown on the table directly into your browser's address bar instead.
Navigate to the Calibration screen
The Calibration screen should appear automatically. If you see a different screen, tap the gear icon to open Settings, then tap the "Calibrate" button.

EZUI Calibration screen showing four calibration handles on a table diagram with arrow contr — The EZUI Calibration screen -- tap a handle to select it, then use the arrows to move it

Set the Projector Mount Type

At the top of the Calibration screen, select your projector mount type: "Side" for Side-Mount or Vertical-Mount installations, or "End" for End-Mount installations. Setting this correctly establishes the starting position for the calibration handles.

Calibrate the Four Handles

On the table surface, you will see four lines and four circles -- the calibration handles. The goal is to move each handle to its corresponding 1-by-1 diamond intersection. When all four handles are correctly placed, the lines on the table will align with the diamond pattern on the rails.

Select a calibration handle
Tap a circle (handle) on the table diagram in the EZUI. The selected handle turns yellow.
Move the handle to its diamond intersection
Use the large arrow buttons for coarse movement and the small arrow buttons for fine adjustments. Move the handle until the circle on the table is centered on the 1-by-1 diamond intersection.
Repeat for all four handles
Tap each remaining handle and repeat the adjustment process. When finished, all four lines should align with the diamond pattern on both the table surface and the rails.
Reset if needed
If the calibration becomes hard to follow, tap the pink "Reset" button to return to the default starting position and begin again from step 1.
Save calibration
When all four handles are correctly placed, tap the checkmark button to confirm and return to the Settings screen.

Align on the table surface, not the rail

The rail sits approximately 1.25 inches higher than the playing surface. Where the calibration lines cross the rail, the line position is not accurate. Focus on where the lines lie on the flat table surface when judging alignment.

Alternate Method -- Calibration via Keyboard

Use this method if the EZUI is not available or the QR code cannot be accessed.

Enter calibration mode
After restarting ICATS, the system enters calibration mode automatically. If it does not, right-click on a blank area in the center of the table, select "Settings," then select "Calibrate."
Set the mount type if using End-Mount
If your projector is End-Mounted and this is your first calibration, press "P" (capital P) on the keyboard. This switches the system from the factory-default Side-Mount configuration to End-Mount.
Select and move calibration lines
Press the "Tab" key to cycle through the four calibration lines. The selected line turns yellow. Use the arrow keys to move that line. Moving a line shifts two handles simultaneously and is best for large initial adjustments.
Select and fine-tune individual handles
Press "1," "2," "3," or "4" on the keyboard to select one of the four individual calibration handles. The selected handle turns yellow. Use the arrow keys to nudge the handle for fine-tuning.
Alternatively, use the trackpad to click and drag handles for large movements, or click the on-screen triangles for smaller adjustments.
Check line alignment on the table surface
Step back and look at the four lines on the table surface. Facing the table with your back to the projector, align horizontal lines first, then vertical lines.
Save calibration
Press "S" on the keyboard, or right-click in the center of the table and select "Stop Calibration."

Calibration handles on the table surface with nudge triangles and diamond intersections labeled — Calibration handle positioned at a 1-by-1 diamond intersection -- align on the table surface, not the rail

Fine-Tuning Calibration

The initial calibration should get you very close. If you want to check accuracy, place a ball image on the rail and set a real ball on top of the projected image. If the real ball touches the rail and sits on the image, calibration is good. If not, re-enter calibration and adjust the nearest calibration line by one nudge.

Target accuracy is 0.2 inch or better. This is achievable with most projectors, though it varies with projector resolution and table size.

Ball images on the near rail

Ball images placed on the rail closest to the projector will land partially on the rail rather than the playing surface. This is expected -- it results from the projector angle and the height difference between the rail and the surface. It does not indicate a calibration problem.

Troubleshooting

Common Issues

Calibration handles are hard to see on the table

Dim the room lighting. Ambient light -- especially direct sunlight -- reduces projector contrast significantly and can make the calibration image difficult to read.

Lines will not align across all four corners at once

This usually means the projector is not centered over the table or is at an extreme angle. Check that the lens center aligns with the table center as described in Step 3. Small deviations can be corrected in calibration, but significant off-center positions cannot.

EZUI is not loading after scanning the QR code

Type the URL displayed on the table directly into the browser address bar. Confirm your phone is on the same WiFi network as ICATS.

Calibration looks correct but drill images do not align

Re-enter calibration and check all four handles again. Then set your table size in Step 6, as incorrect table size can make ball images appear offset even with good calibration.

What's Next?

With calibration complete, Step 6 covers the system update and table size setting -- two quick configuration steps before your first drill.