Varjo VR-3 support

[festr]

Hello, 

There is Varjo 4 screen layout support for VR-3 and XR-3. What I'm asking here is if it would be possible to increase (or at least be able to set) higher PPD resolution for the outer larger two windows. Since the new multithreading and with the nvidia 4090 the engine should be able to handle it. Currently the 4 window mode on VR-3 and XR-3 has lower resolution for the outer (larger) LCDs than the native LCD panels. Or - is this somehow configurable already in some lua file? 

Edit: this is now fixed - https://github.com/mbucchia/Varjo-Foveated/wiki

 

Edited March 19, 2023 by festr

[Stefan Graber]

Please let me know how you got the VARJO VR-3 working in DCS MT - I only see a small window in the top left corner of the cockpit.  Thank you very much!

[Stefan Graber]

How to run the VARJO VR-3 in DCS Open Beta and Multi-Threading:

 

1) You have to download the zip-file "OpenXR-InstanceExtensionsWrapper.zip" as described by Mr. Matthieu Bucchianeri (https://github.com/mbucchia/OpenXR-InstanceExtensionsWrapper/releases) and copy the unzipped files into the directory "C:\Program Files\Varjo\varjo-openxr\" (overwrite existing files!).

 

2) In the programme "OpenXR-Tools for Windows Mixed Reality" from the Microsoft Store, the "Windows Mixed Reality-OpenXR-Runtime" must be set as "Active Runtime" once in the tab "Mixed Reality".
(I think that was where the driver conflict was buried).

 

3) When "Varjo Base" is then restarted, Varjo Base takes control of OpenXR again (if not: activate! and restart PC if necessary).

 

4) Since the latest version of DCS OpenBeta (the one that allows multi-threading if you start the game in the directory "C:\Program Files\Eagle Dynamics\DCS World OpenBeta\bin-mt\") now has so-called "Native OpenXR support", a diversion via OpenComposite (and the additional command in the shortcut: "C:\Program Files\Eagle Dynamics\DCS World OpenBeta\bin-mt\DCS. exe" --force_SteamVR is no longer necessary.

 

5) You now have to start the DCS.exe with an additional command in the shortcut on the desktop which is called:
"C:\Program Files\Eagle Dynamics\DCS World OpenBeta\bin-mt\DCS.exe" --force_enable_VR --force_OpenXR
may also suffice:
"C:\Program Files\Eagle Dynamics\DCS World OpenBeta\bin-mt\DCS.exe" --force_OpenXR

[mbucchia]

5 hours ago, Stefan Graber said:

2) In the programme "OpenXR-Tools for Windows Mixed Reality" from the Microsoft Store, the "Windows Mixed Reality-OpenXR-Runtime" must be set as "Active Runtime" once in the tab "Mixed Reality".
(I think that was where the driver conflict was buried).

That's only applicable to WMR devices (eg: HP Reverb G2). Toggling the OpenXR switch in Varjo Base will effectively make Varjo your OpenXR runtime, which is what you need, not the WMR one.

[Stefan Graber]

Exactly right. And that was the cause of the error; the Varjo Base could only set itself up correctly in OpenXR after its own access tool had been withdrawn.
P.S.: my VARJO VR-3 now also runs without any additional parameters behind the "...DCS.exe" in the link.

Edited March 17, 2023 by Stefan Graber

[SaschaFFM]

Step 1 from that list is counterproductive, as it eliminates the four-screen layout. Step 2 is not related to Varjo. Varjo-Base has of course to be started, just pay attention that you activate the focus display. I set the PPD to highest (70 PPD with focus display). You need to deactivate OpenXR-Toolkit, should you still have it active (not compatible with four-screen layout in DCS). Then you just start DCS and it should work. The focus display is extremely sharp! The peripheral display is running with a lower resolution currently. This is a bit sad, because at least a 4090 could handle much more.s

There are rumours that a certain dev is currently trying to implement some tweaks for the peripheral display resolution and even DFR

[SaschaFFM]

Mbucchia has released yet another tool that provides major improvements especially for VR-3 users. It is now possible to use DFR (Dynamic Foveated Rendering) with DCS and a Varjo headset (VR-3 and Aero). VR-3 has the added benefit that it can finally utilise its bionic display, which delivers extremely sharp image (70 PPD) on the center of the display. The rest of the display is utilising Super-Sampling via DFR, so it is much sharpen than anything you have seen in the past for DCS.

To read through all the information and download the tool:

https://github.com/mbucchia/Varjo-Foveated/wiki

This is not compatible with OpenXR-Toolkit as of now (and probably for the foreseeable time). But Turbo-Mode is included. I highly recommend any Varjo user to test this out in DCS, but especially all VR-3 users.

[festr]

I can confirm that this new Mbucchia toolkit finally brings unprecedent sharpness to the VR-3 quad view. Not only the outer LCD panels has now full resolution but dynamic foveated rendering is working which brings much more FPS (90 FPS most of the time today in KA50 and MI8 on persian gulf multiplayer). There is so much headroom in GPU that I was able to set 1.2 multiplier for the focusing area which (its like 1.2x supersampling) and it looks amazingly sharp compared to what I had before. 

[Stefan Graber]

@SaschaFFM Thank you so much, Sir!

Although at that time I could only get DCS OpenBeta to work in my VARJO VR-3 with the "OpenXR-InstanceExtensionsWrapper" exactly as described above, you literally opened my eyes:

Only now do I have a really sharp picture and even with 70 - 90 FPS in single player mode, or not less than 45 FPS on multi-player servers.

Thank you for taking the time to share your knowledge and experience so freely with other people.

[GPatricks]

Breathing life into this after a year as my XR-3 (if it ever leaves customs) arrives soon. I'm looking for the best visuals in the latest DCS 2.9 version out now, will start another thread on best way to mixed reality..