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TFDL Makerspace Training

Online training for TFDL makerspace equipment

What is Virtual Reality?

Ref. AI Generated - Copilot

Virtual reality (VR) is a technology that creates a simulated environment, allowing users to interact with a three-dimensional, computer-generated world. At this library we provide immersive experience with VR headsets, which display visual content and track the user's movements to adjust the view to match. VR can simulate various environments, from realistic settings to fantastical worlds, and is used in gaming, education, training, and many other fields.

Virtual Reality has versatile applications. For example, in gaming, it offers immersive gameplay, multiplayer experiences, fitness games, adventure, exploration, and simulation games. For education, it enhances virtual classrooms, lab simulations, virtual field trips, skill development, virtual campus tours, art galleries, digital sculpture, painting and modelling, anatomy education, data visualization, emergency response training, and more.

 

Resource:

VR Rules and Etiquette

  • Have fun but be careful.  The headset will show you virtual boundaries (represented by a colored wire fence) that provide warning when you get close to obstacles in the real world.  Respect the virtual boundaries so you do not get hurt.  The fence only shows when you get close to a boundary, so be sure you do not run or you may not have time to stop.

  • Please be careful with the headset and controllers. Always wear the control straps.

  • There is no video recording or photographs allowed without the knowledge and consent of the person being recorded.

  • There is a strict no food or drink policy for the VR spaces.

  • The setup of the projector and computer is only performed by Staff.

Our VR Spaces

We currently have several spaces with different option for VR experiences.

  • VR Studio – Intended for small groups to experience VR applications.
  • VR Cart – Mobile setup for experience VR applications.
  • VR Development – Dedicated space for developing VR applications.
    • Hardware:
      • Different headsets (Vive, Steam, Quest)
      • Variety of controllers (Joysticks, Flight Controls and more)
    • Book it Here !

About the Meta Quest 3

The Meta Quest 3 was released in 2023. It's a next-generation wireless standalone virtual reality headset that offers a sharp display, improved processing power, and a more comfortable design from the Quest 2. It’s perfect for both VR gaming and immersive experiences. The Quest 3 features a powerful Snapdragon chipset, a high-resolution display with up to 2064 x 2208 pixels per eye, pancake lenses, and mixed reality capabilities that blend the real world with virtual environments. It also comes with hand tracking and a wide field of view.

 

Ref. Meta Quest web.

The controller buttons and joysticks are different for each one of the apps you engage with but generally, the Back Triggers will allow you to Select, and the Joysticks will allow you to Transport your avatar to a preset location in the environment.  There is a more detailed information of the controllers for the SteamVR Home environment, below.

Getting Started - Step by Step for VR Studio & VR Cart

1. Turn ON PC and Meta Quest 3 headset.

This is achieved by pressing the WHITE ROUND power on button on the left side of the headset.

Ref. Meta Quest web 3D Model.

2. Connect headset to WiFi.  Select – “VR_Air_Bridge 8900D”

To do this, in the virtual world you need to point to the digital clock to show the QUICK SETTINGS menu.  Once there, turn on the WiFi by selecting the WiFi section and triggering on it.

3. Select Steam Link to launch the APP and connect it to the TFDL_VR1 set.

4. Acknowledge the virtual boundaries.  It’s a good practice to check if the boundaries correspond with the room setting.  This prevents falls or bumps into unseen furniture.

Ref. uploadvr.com

5. Select the app you would like to experience from the Steam Menu with the VR controller or through the PC with the mouse.

Steam VR Home

Steam VR Home is found after you finish the step by step.  This environment resembles a mountain cabin in a sunny day by default, but it can be configured to resemble other spaces.  Inside this environment you’ll be able to explore and get acquainted with the VR experience.  Most importantly, here you’ll be able to select the experiences and games you wish to engage in.

Ref. Youtube - GamerMuscleVideos.

The app selection will be at a three-panel display by the door to the outside deck.

 

Resource:

SteamVR Home - Brief Controller Intro.

  • Joysticks: When pressed forward, will indicate where you want the avatar to go to. When pressed sideways, they will turn the avatar in that direction.
  • X, A buttons: X and A don’t perform any action on this environment.
  • Y, B buttons: Y and B open a menu for Environment, Avatar, Quests and Things library.
  • Menu: Displays a menu. This menu is an alternate way of selecting the APP’s, among other actions like settings and social (not available in the TFDL library).
  • Meta: Will pause the SteamVR Home and open a Meta main menu. It can be pressed again to return to SteamVR.
  • Side Trigger: Open the tools for virtual painting, deleting and others.
  • Back Trigger: Select the items in menus that the controller is pointing to.  When pressed, on left controller will allow left controller to select apps, or on right controller, will allow right controller to select apps.

TROUBLESHOOTING

  • If the interaction starts but you keep seeing the real environment, there may be a menu still open somewhere in the room.  To solve this, reset the view by press/release the Meta Button on the right controller, to see the menu and then close it.
  • If there is a failed connection when you open Steam link (step3), that prevents you from continuing to step 4, please close SteamVR on the PC, then close and reopen the Steam link app in the VR Headset.
  • Accompanying persons shouldn’t stand between the antenna and the headset, this prevents the antenna from properly communicating with the headset and controllers.

  • If there is low battery on the headset in the VR Studio, this headset is equiped with the Elite Strap with Battery. Please check first if the Battery Pack is ON.  You can do this by Short Pressing once the button on the bottom of the battery pack at the back of the head strap.  This should turn it ON if it was OFF. If it was already ON, then it should indicate it's charge by blinking a LED next to the button and USB C port. Solid green means 100% charge, Solid Orange means 20% to 99% and linking Orange means less than 20%.

  • If there are any other issues with the batteries in the controllers or headset, please contact STAFF.

  • Any other situation, please call a STAFF member by the reception desk iPad.

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