In several earlier posts I have mentioned a program that would automatically calculate group and target data. The program has been under development for some time and uses technology originally developed to calculate the score of the benchrest targets used by the Professional Shooting League.
Development of the core functionality has been completed including; scanning, bulls eye and hole detection, and basic data output. I am currently working to improve the work flow and usability of the program. Additional calculations, statistics, and data output methods will be added to the program prior to completion. My plans are to start field testing of the program within several weeks. After several rounds of testing the program will officially be released and offered for sale through the OnTarget Shooting website.
The steps for using the target data program are pretty straight forward.
- The program prints out test targets (8.5" x 11.0").
- The user shoots one shot per bull.
- Target is scanned and the format is automatically detected.
- Bulls eyes and bullet holes are automatically detected and positioned.
- The user has the opportunity to manually adjust holes if necessary.
- The data is calculated and displayed in a dialog or printout.
Here are a few graphics showing the target and process within the program. Click on the image to see a larger view, hit
This is the scanned target prior to automatic bull and hole detection.
Here the target has been processed. You can see that each hole has been located and the distance from the center of the bull calculated.
This is the dialog that shows all of the shots combined into one composite group. Group sizes and offsets have been calculated in both standard and MOA values.
This is the current datasheet print out. It has the same information as the dialog with the addition of breaking each row of bulls into a separate group. Additional information will be added to the printout based on user feedback.
In addition to the features of the original OnTarget Pecision Calculator the target data software has the following improvements:
- Direct edit (i.e. moving) and deletion of bullet holes within a group.
- Aim point can be moved.
- More hotkeys for common operations.
- Standard and metric measurement units.
- Higher zoom levels.
- TWAIN scanner support.
- Target rotation in 90 degree increments.
- Printing of the entire target.
- Zoom-to-group view feature.
If you have any comments or suggestions for other features you would like to have available in the new program either post a comment to this blog or send an email to: jeff@ontargetshooting.com. If you know someone who might be interested in the program pass along a link to the OnTarget website or this blog and ask them to check it out.
- Jeff
