Setting up EasyMaker3D for VR

As mentioned at the very beginning, EasyMaker3D can be set up to work with a VR system in addition to the mouse and keyboard. Any combination of input works simultaneously.

The application has been run successfully with an Oculus Quest 2 and an HTC Vive (coincidentally the systems I own). Other systems that are supported by SteamVR should also work. If not, feel free to contact the author for help.

General Set-Up

Regardless of your VR system, you need to first install SteamVR on your computer. Follow their instructions and make sure everything works ok.

Some VR experiences allow you or force you to walk around while using them. That wouldn’t make sense for this application, so it is designed to make everything useful from one spot. If you’re planning to use the VR mode, set it up for a comfortable, fixed standing or seated position. Note that the scene view is set up for sitting, so you may need to adjust your VR positioning for a different height if you prefer to stand.

Platform-Specific Instructions

Windows

Bug:

Unfortunately, there seems to be a bug in the OpenVR library that interfaces with SteamVR that prevents rendering to the VR headset. The application can still work in hybrid mode, meaning you can still use the controllers.

Mac

It is not clear whether VR will work at all on a Mac, due to the lack of official SteamVR support.

Linux

If you are unable to see any rendering in your VR headset, you may need to apply the following workaround:

cd /usr/share/vulkan/icd.d
sudo mv intel_icd.x86_64.json intel_icd.x86_64.json.disabled

Note that this must be done each time after the mesa-vulkan-drivers package is installed or updated.

Device-Specific Instructions

Oculus Quest 2

The Oculus Quest 2 headset must be connected via a wired or Wi-Fi connection, since EasyMaker3D runs on the host machine, not the headset.

Windows

Connect the Quest headset using a Link cable and the Oculus PC app, or use the Wi-Fi Oculus Air Link. (Instructions for setting either of these up are pretty easy to find online). You should be able to just run EasyMaker3D and have it come up in VR. If that doesn’t work, try running SteamVR first, then running the application.

Linux

Since there is no Oculus Link software that runs on Linux (!), the only choice right now is using ALVR to connect the Quest over Wi-Fi. Unfortunately, this is much more complicated than it should be.

Initial Set-Up

  • Install ALVR on your computer.

  • ALVR replaces the vrcompositor application used by SteamVR, so save the real version:

    cd ~/.steam/debian-installation/steamapps/common/SteamVR/bin/linux64/
cp vrcompositor vrcompositor.real

  • Install the ALVR client on the Quest using SideQuest <https://sidequestvr.com/>_.

  • Run the ALVR server.

  • Follow the ALVR instructions and run the client on the Quest.

You should then be able to run EasyMaker3D over Wi-Fi to the Quest.

Switching Devices

Unfortunately, ALVR does a bad job of cleaning up after itself to allow SteamVR to use a different device. If you have a different VR system you want to use:

  • Rename the ALVR server directory so SteamVR does not access its drivers first. (Really, if it finds this server it will run it despite having other devices to use.)

  • Save the ALVR version of the vrcompositor (if not already done):

    cd ~/.steam/debian-installation/steamapps/common/SteamVR/bin/linux64/
ln -sf vrcompositor vrcompositor.alvr

  • Restore the real SteamVR compositor you changed in the initial setup:

    cd ~/.steam/debian-installation/steamapps/common/SteamVR/bin/linux64/
ln -sf vrcompositor.real vrcompositor

To switch back to using ALVR again:

  • Restore the server directory to its original name.

  • Switch to using ALVR’s compositor as in the initial set-up.

HTC Vive

Windows

You should be able to just run EasyMaker3D and have it come up in VR. If that doesn’t work, try running SteamVR first, then running the application.

Linux

Run SteamVR first, then run EasyMaker3D.