Hello everyone!
Finally, we're ready to release Update 3 to the world! It's a big one, so let's get right into it.
Our main goal with this update was to address overall quality of life for users of our application.
Most of the underlying functionality hasn't been changed; though we believe we've made quite a few strides towards accessibility.
Window Management
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This update brings with it some new features to organize your workspace. Now, when moving your windows, you'll notice 8
preset locations for you to snap your windows to.
Your initial desktop window will launch in the front-and-center location.
Vive Motion Controller
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We've gotten multiple requests to integrate a form of Vive Controller functionality; so here it is!
This update brings the first few steps of this process to you for playing with.
Your motion controllers are currently represented with (non-animated) hands.
Aiming is done from the camera through the palm of your hand.
Interact with the trigger buttons.
Uses are limited as of now though we're constantly looking at how we can expand the implementation.
At the moment, you can perform 2 functions on your windows using your Vive Controllers:
1) Move window
Action: Press the trigger on your controller while aiming with your palm over a window, then move hand
Result: Move windows around the environment.
You can move windows around the world.
You can utilize all of the aforementioned Window Management tools to make more precise movements.
2) Scale Window
Action: Press the triggers on both your controllers while aiming with your palms over a window, increase distance between hands.
Result: Scale the window you are currently pinching with both hands in a way similar to multi-touch on smart phones.
Move hands together to shrink; move them apart to grow.
Leap Motion
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We're excited to tell you that we've integrated leapmotion into the application!
Uses are limited as of now though we're constantly looking at how we can expand the implementation.
At the moment, you can perform 2 functions on your windows using Leap Motion:
1) Move Window
Action: Pinch your fingers over a window, then move hand
Result: Move windows around the environment.
While pinching a window with your fingers in Leap Motion, you can move windows around the world.
You can utilize all of the aforementioned Window Management tools to make more precise movements.
2) Scale Window
Action: Pinch over a window with both hands, increase distance between hands
Result: Scale the window you are currently pinching with both hands in a way similar to multi-touch on smart phones.
Move hands together to shrink; move them apart to grow.
MOTION CONTROLLER TIPS AND DISCLAIMERS
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To keep things streamlined for the moment there are a few things to keep in mind for this particular version:
1) **Vive Motion Controllers and Leap Motion are mutually exclusive.** (at least for the moment)
This means that, for this version, Leap Motion is -not- supported on Vive.
If this is an important feature to you, please let us know. There are drawbacks to current leapmotion implementation
that, in our opinion, makes it inferior (but still really fun!) to the Vive implementation.
In the spirit of letting you make your own decision between the two, here's what you'll be giving up:
a) With leap motion enabled, a bug breaks the webcam code and webcameras dont work. We haven't tracked down the source of the issue but we're looking into it.
b) Related to a), with webcams disabled, you no longer have access to your vive's front camera either.
c) Vive Controller inputs are more reliable than Leap Motion's inputs. We recommend the Vive Controllers if you have them.
The perks of Leap Motion:
a) Severely improves immersion within the system. This should be solved once we get animated hands on the Vive Controllers.
2) As mentioned in the previous section, web cameras don't function while using Leap Motion (for now).
Webcam function (Ctrl+alt+2) has been replaced with the passthrough webcam feed while using LeapMotion.
3) It is important to aim your Vive Controllers with your palms. You select things by physically placing your hand in front of the window.
Here's a little ASCII diagram that describes the raytrace being made. I hope explains it better:
|Camera| ---- |Hand Palm| ---> |Window you want to select|
Webcam things!
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You've pointed out that you couldn't see the environment around you and that is an important feature for you; and we've listened!
Coming with this update is thorough support of as many webcams as your computer can handle,
as well as support for both the Vive Headset Camera(MMP SDK) and Leap Motion Image Passthrough.
Here's how it works:
On initial launch, you'll now have up to 2 of your camera feeds displayed depending on a few conditions:
1) If you're using Oculus but don't have LeapMotion, your first available webcam will be displayed on the left of your desktop.
This view is for monitoring the surroundings behind yourself.
2) If you're using Vive, your first available webcam will be displayed on the left of your desktop and
your Vive front camera will be below your Desktop. This will give you a view of both what's in front, and behind you.
The Vive camera in this location is meant to make watching your hands over the keyboard comfortable.
3) If you're using Oculus and your LeapMotion is connected, you will have your LeapMotion's camera displayed beneath your desktop.
This will allow you to see your keyboard. (Webcams are disabled in LeapMotion mode as mentioned above)
In addition to these initial feed settings, we've also implemented what we call a 'Webcam Carousel'
Webcam Carousel
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Bound to Ctrl+Alt+2, each time the hotkey is pressed it will launch your next available camera feed into DreamDesk.
If you have 20 webcams, you should be able to cycle through and display all of them.
DISCLAIMER: When using LeapMotion, the Webcam Carousel has been disabled and has been replaced with the ability to bring back up
your LeapMotion camera feed. This is a temporary solution while we investigate why LeapMotion doesn't play nice with Webcams.
A few more things
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There have been complaints/reports that the Vive 'front' doesn't always align with our application's 'front'.
We've implemented a new hotkey to re-calibrate your 'front' direction until we find a more seamless solution to the issue.
CTRL + ALT + R -- Recalibrate your 'front' direction. Look in the direction you'd like to be 'front' and press the hotkey.
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There have been inconsistencies with the Mirror Window on both Oculus and Vive. The original intended behaviour was for the application mirror to minimize
itself on first launch but was causing inconsistent behaviour depending on the platform:
Vive - The mirror opens fullscreen and freezes. HMD display functions as intended.
Oculus - The mirror minimizes itself within a few seconds of application launch. If the user has yet to accept the Health and Safety warning,
it would unminimize itself.
Due to the inconsistent behaviour shown, we've removed the bit that was minimizing the mirror on launch.
This will require all users to manually minimize their window by either using the minimize button in the corner or by using
our minimize hotkey of CTRL+ALT+1.
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Thanks for the support you've shown us so far!
Please leave a message in the Discussion boards letting us know how we're doing.