Virtual Reality
What do we have?
We currently have the following headsets and other VR equipment available at CCI:
Headsets:
VR controllers:
- 4x Vive Pro 2 controllers
- 2x Vive Index ('Knuckles') controllers
VR trackers + straps:
- 10x Vive Tracker 3.0
- 2x '3-pack Vive Ultimate Tracker with USB receiver dongle'
- hand, foot and waist tracker straps
Trackable areas in Dark Lab:
- 4x base stations in VR area
- 4x base stations in projection area
(covering most of the Lab)
How to use our headsets
The VR area in the Dark Lab is set up with two stations. One features a PCVR-style headset, and the other a Meta Quest 3 VR/MR standalone headset (which can also be used for tethered PCVR through the provided USB-C cable).
Both stations feature a top spec gaming PC and a big TV for spectators.
The computers should be fully set up and good to go for VR development - or if you just want to have a go in VR!
Feel free to pop in anytime.
Getting started
For PC-based VR:
~ open and log into Steam
~ open SteamVR
~ make sure everything seems to be up and running in SteamVR:
~ install and/or fire up some VR applications!
For Meta Quest (as standalone device):
~ Just turn it on, using the button on the side of the unit
~ There should be a Dark Lab user account waiting to be used
~ Use either controllers, or your hands/fingers, to control the cursor
~ open the library button marked as below to view all installed apps
For Meta Quest (connected to the PC):
~ Make sure the provided USB-C cable is plugged into the Quest
~ Run the Quest Link app and sign in. This migh need to be the same account on both the headset and the computer.
~ Run Steam and sign in
~ Run SteamVR
PCVR vs. Standalone
Virtual Reality typically comes in two main forms:
~ PC-based; where a headset is connected to a gaming-style computer (usually over a cable, or sometimes WiFi).
The computer runs the applications, sending the video feed to the headset, which gives you the highest graphics power and performance at the cost of being bound to a PC.
~ Standalone headsets can run completely independently; wireless and off battery power. The tend to use camera-based 'inside-out' tracking, allowing them to be used without needing tracking base stations in the room. The downside is that everything runs off what is essentially a mobile phone processor, so the graphics and processing power will be less compared to PCVR.
Getting started in VR Development
This section is a work in progress
SteamVr / OpenXR / Meta (Oculus)
- Unreal / Unity standard project templates
- Convert existing project to VR
- setting backends etc
