Is there a way to show other application in DCS VR?

[ravenzino]

I use WMR (Samsung O+) and find it annoying to put HMD back if I took it off for some quick task like checking other apps, as I then need to readjust HMD position and cursor focus.

Those task could be checking SRS status, check message apps or sometimes simply to find out preplanned coordination of a set target and input those data into the weapon delivery systems.

 

So my question is: is there a way to bring the UI/Window of other applications into DCS VR without the need of taking off HMD? Ideally the entire desktop...

[KodaPOwER]

I use WMR (Samsung O+) and find it annoying to put HMD back if I took it off for some quick task like checking other apps, as I then need to readjust HMD position and cursor focus.

 

Those task could be checking SRS status, check message apps or sometimes simply to find out preplanned coordination of a set target and input those data into the weapon delivery systems.

 

 

 

So my question is: is there a way to bring the UI/Window of other applications into DCS VR without the need of taking off HMD? Ideally the entire desktop...

You can try with virtual desktop but i haven't tried it yet so i don't know if it really work for your use case. Just a clue to investigate more ;)

 

Inviato dal mio Mi MIX 2 utilizzando Tapatalk

[Harlikwin]

You mean like Alt-tabbing back to the desktop and having displayed in the HMD?

 

As the other poster mentioned, maybe virtual desktop could do that, but I've never tried it.

[dburne]

Yes Virtual Desktop should do that.

[jojo]

For mission related stuff (coordinate and such), the best is to edit kneepad, or to write it down in the briefing which can be displayed by default in the kneepad.

[ravenzino]

Thanks, I'll give Virtual Desktop a try when I get back to my rig tonight. Wasn't able to bring that up last night, guess I'll have to use the VR Controller...

[ravenzino]

For mission related stuff (coordinate and such), the best is to edit kneepad, or to write it down in the briefing which can be displayed by default in the kneepad.

 

I thought of that, but when I do MP, targets could be changing which kneepad wouldn't allow...

 

For SP mission, its the best way no doubt.

[backspace340]

You don't need to use/buy Virtual Desktop - you're on a Windows device, so it already has a desktop built in. Once the game is running on your headset, press alt+tab and then the Windows key, and you'll be back in the Cliff House. Then press the Windows key and a menu will pop up, go to Apps and click Desktop, and you'll now have a floating desktop window in the Cliff House. To go back into the game, click the floating SteamVR window. Make sure you press alt+enter to go full screen in the game so you don't lose your mouse. To get back to the Cliff House, press alt+tab and Windows key. Easy peasy.

 

Other tips: You can move windows around in the Cliff House by clicking the top bar and holding it, if you scroll the mouse wheel it'll move closer/further away. You can move around the Cliff House with your mouse - hold right click and an indicator appears on the ground with an arrow showing where you'll be facing when you let go, mouse wheel changes where you'll be facing. Let go to teleport.

 

You can run the whole system without taking your headset off - most of the time I never bother even switching my monitor on.

[ravenzino]

You don't need to use/buy Virtual Desktop - you're on a Windows device, so it already has a desktop built in. Once the game is running on your headset, press alt+tab and then the Windows key, and you'll be back in the Cliff House. Then press the Windows key and a menu will pop up, go to Apps and click Desktop, and you'll now have a floating desktop window in the Cliff House. To go back into the game, click the floating SteamVR window. Make sure you press alt+enter to go full screen in the game so you don't lose your mouse. To get back to the Cliff House, press alt+tab and Windows key. Easy peasy.

 

Other tips: You can move windows around in the Cliff House by clicking the top bar and holding it, if you scroll the mouse wheel it'll move closer/further away. You can move around the Cliff House with your mouse - hold right click and an indicator appears on the ground with an arrow showing where you'll be facing when you let go, mouse wheel changes where you'll be facing. Let go to teleport.

 

You can run the whole system without taking your headset off - most of the time I never bother even switching my monitor on.

 

Great tips! Thanks a lot!

[ravenzino]

Haha, silly me. Only realise now that Virtual Desktop is actually an application... I thought that's WMR's desktop which I failed to bring up in VR games...

[Harlikwin]

I thought of that, but when I do MP, targets could be changing which kneepad wouldn't allow...

 

For SP mission, its the best way no doubt.

 

Try the VR notepad. You can type whatever you need on it, I use it often to switch between cockpit and F10 map, copy coords etc.

[p1t1o]

This is one of the things that I expect to become more refined as the VR software industry matures.

 

Serious VR programs have only really started to enter the mainstream a few short years ago.

 

I find, actually, that there are many software quirks that need to be improved, that we usually take for granted. Simple thing such as viewing your own desktop ought not to require a standalone program. When such things, amongst others, can be done natively in OS, things will start to get easier.

 

 

Other things that should improve as the industry gains experience:

VR user interfaces

VR software integration

More standardised VR environments and control schemes

[cercata]

Simple thing such as viewing your own desktop ought not to require a standalone program.

With Oculus, you can do that without additional programs.

Still not very mature, it's made on Javascript and uses too much RAM, but it's a good start at least.

 

It's called Oculus Dash, and I dond't understard how SteamVR diesn't have something equivalent.

[p1t1o]

With Oculus, you can do that without additional programs.

Still not very mature, it's made on Javascript and uses too much RAM, but it's a good start at least.

 

It's called Oculus Dash, and I dond't understard how SteamVR diesn't have something equivalent.

 

There is a program, but you have to purchase it seperately, its not expensive and it works great, but integration is the key.

 

Eventually, Windows (et al.) will have an automated VR environment and I think that is what we are all looking for.

[ravenzino]

Just to report back.

Without any other application, I so far can only use SteamVR Dashboard feature to display my desktop while DCS running at the "background".

However, the desktop is a bit far and I can't figure out a way to pull it closer, so not really helpful if I wanted to read text from a webpage or messenger app.

Anyway, to bring desktop up in DCS VR, I'll have to use alt+tab to switch to other application, and press Win key. (DCS will not allow me to use Win key, so I'll have to switch to other app first) 6 little circle will pop up with 5 in a row and 1 below. Click the lower one will bring up the desktop.

This is how far I went so far, though it doesn't really meet my expectation.

 

I tried to click the middle one of the 6 little circle which shows "Mixed Reality Home", that'll bring me back to the Cliff house, but DCS will be forced closed... Not sure what I've done wrong.

 

Totally agree with p1t1o's vision on how multiple VR environment shall unify. The current implementation added too much head cost, and is simply not neat.

Edited May 15, 2019 by ravenzino