VR tips and tricks - Improving your VR experience! -Updated 9th/Dec/2020

[SCG_Redcloud111]

I prefer 30 degree. Would be so nice if 45 degree didn't crap out the landscape and remove objects.

[TCW_Brzi_Joe]

Today that 45deg saved my ass 2 times in multiplayer, the third time it was too late. ? Finally I can check six every 10seconds in hot zone; it is soo easy that I actually do it. Also, until now I didn´t fly russians, as they need to check 6 far more often than germans. Finally in yak ?

PS: I was f*kin owl neck v(i)r-tracker 

Edited December 9, 2019 by Brzi_Joe
grammar, as usual

[=GEMINI=marbessi]

On 12/6/2019 at 12:54 AM, Alonzo said:

Hi @SCG_Fenris_Wolf I am doing some spotting testing and I wondered some things:

• How do you and your group do spotting testing? You said in another thread you have done significant testing - can I ask (briefly) your method? I am building a spotting testing/practice map and I wonder about your method.
• For the Rift S, you recommend HDR enabled, but not for the Pimax 5k. Could I ask why the difference? And especially, what improvement does HDR enabled give for the Rift S, vs not enabled?

Thanks!

Maybe because of bloom disabled in startup.cfg graphics settings? I saw HDR could be switched on disabling bloom cause it increase contrast. 

[SCG_Fenris_Wolf]

Alonzo,

 

testing is spotting at 15km distance, 01:00pm, against the sky (upwards), and against the ground (downwards), compare how 109 (small fighter) is rendered. Spotter knows in which direction 109 is. A/B/A/B. Results are dramatically different depending on game settings.

 

Pimax has better colors, and can adjust color channels and brightness and backlight brightness individually. In Rift S, there is not enough contrast without HDR enabled and the picture is too dull, so much it affects spotting.

[-332FG-KIWIvolshebnik]

I've recently got back in to IL-2 after a few months off and I'm having trouble understanding the updated 3Dmigoto mod.

I previously used this mod (about v11 and prev) on my Rift CV1 without having to adjust any of the convergence etc.

Now, however I can't work out why my convergence settings are so different to the stock mod and the Rift CV1 preset in the first post in this topic.

I loaded both the stock mod and the Rift CV1 preset version of 15.1.1 and the convergence is way off.

 

After adjusting the Rift CV1 preset version, my settings are:

$\users_settings\user_keymapping_zoom.ini\zoomxoffsetlow = 0.107999995
$\users_settings\user_keymapping_zoom.ini\zoomyoffsetlow = 0
$\users_settings\user_keymapping_zoom.ini\maskhorizoffsetlow = 0
$\users_settings\user_keymapping_zoom.ini\zoomxoffsetmed = 0.602499962
$\users_settings\user_keymapping_zoom.ini\maskhorizoffsetmed = 1
$\users_settings\user_keymapping_zoom.ini\zoomyoffsetmed = -0.130500004
$\users_settings\user_keymapping_zoom.ini\zoomxoffsethigh = 1.35500216
$\users_settings\user_keymapping_zoom.ini\maskhorizoffsethigh = 1
$\users_settings\user_keymapping_zoom.ini\zoomyoffsethigh = -0.37049979
$\users_settings\user_keymapping_zoom.ini\ipdxoffsetvalue = 0.00400000019

 

What would cause my settings to be so different to the preset for the Rift CV1? Which are:

$\users_settings\user_keymapping_zoom.ini\zoomxoffsetlow = 0
$\users_settings\user_keymapping_zoom.ini\zoomyoffsetlow = 0
$\users_settings\user_keymapping_zoom.ini\maskhorizoffsetlow = 0
$\users_settings\user_keymapping_zoom.ini\zoomxoffsetmed = 0.25
$\users_settings\user_keymapping_zoom.ini\maskhorizoffsetmed = 1
$\users_settings\user_keymapping_zoom.ini\zoomyoffsetmed = 0
$\users_settings\user_keymapping_zoom.ini\zoomxoffsethigh = 0.659000039
$\users_settings\user_keymapping_zoom.ini\maskhorizoffsethigh = 1
$\users_settings\user_keymapping_zoom.ini\zoomyoffsethigh = 0
$\users_settings\user_keymapping_zoom.ini\ipdxoffsetvalue = 0.00400000019

 

Also, I notice that the stock ipdxoffsetvalue is 0.004

What difference does this make to the settings?

 

Cheers.

[SCG_Fenris_Wolf]

ipd offset value is disabled in my versions (except for the WMR Odysseys). They are 0. I don't give support to the stock version, you need to ask Lefuneste about that. He has changed his nickname to @c6_lefuneste 

 

IPD offset, worldscale switch in-game, are all reasons why the convergence can be off. As soon as you change any of that, you need to find values again. Also, if you have extremely large (larger than 67) or extremely small IPD (smaller than 63) irl, you need to adjust a rest. These are for 65.

Edited December 11, 2019 by SCG_Fenris_Wolf

[C6_lefuneste]

9 hours ago, KIWIvolshebnik said:

I've recently got back in to IL-2 after a few months off and I'm having trouble understanding the updated 3Dmigoto mod.

Now, however I can't work out why my convergence settings are so different to the stock mod and the Rift CV1 preset in the first post in this topic.

 

Use the last "beta" 16.0 version provided here:

I give a far better way to setup yourself the settings in game, without having to modify text files.

[Alonzo]

23 hours ago, SCG_Fenris_Wolf said:

testing is spotting at 15km distance, 01:00pm, against the sky (upwards), and against the ground (downwards), compare how 109 (small fighter) is rendered. Spotter knows in which direction 109 is. A/B/A/B. Results are dramatically different depending on game settings.

 

Pimax has better colors, and can adjust color channels and brightness and backlight brightness individually. In Rift S, there is not enough contrast without HDR enabled and the picture is too dull, so much it affects spotting.

 

Thanks for the info. I agree about the HDR. Here is a comparison I made with my Rift S HDR on vs off.

 

Edit: Of course, the HDR image is lighter and looks a bit washed out, but that can be fixed by reducing gamma, as recommended in Fenris' settings. The thing to look at is the contrast of the planes against the forest. HDR version there is a more distinct visibility.

 

Edited December 11, 2019 by Alonzo

[Blitzen]

Very simple question: does it matter whether I start game thru Steam alone , Through Pimax Pitool ( if it does indeed start game...after one try I didn't get a game start...) 0r just the exe found in bin/game folder?  I am looking for best quality/clarity /sharp shadows rather than max FPS. Its difficult for me to see much difference no matter which one I choose, but I remember reading somewhere that I should turn off Steam completely after entering all the settings for Steam/Pitool /Startup ini/ In Game above.I'm not sure that still holds true.

Edited December 11, 2019 by Blitzen

[SCG_Fenris_Wolf]

Yes it does matter.

 

This thread is for best spotting.

 

Not best graphical eye-candy.

 

 

The procedure is all in the main post.... 

 

....PiTool is only for doing settings once, only to change settings, or for playing Oculus games. PiTool is supposed to be turnt off.

 

You start Steam -> SteamVR -> then start IL-2. You need to keep Steam on, or your game client won't be able to log in.

✌️

Edited December 11, 2019 by SCG_Fenris_Wolf

[Blitzen]

1 hour ago, SCG_Fenris_Wolf said:

Yes it does matter.

 

This thread is for best spotting.

 

Not best graphical eye-candy.

 

 

The procedure is all in the main post.... 

 

....PiTool is only for doing settings once, only to change settings, or for playing Oculus games. PiTool is supposed to be turnt off.

 

You start Steam -> SteamVR -> then start IL-2. You need to keep Steam on, or your game client won't be able to log in.

✌️

Compltely my misunderstanding, but many thanks for your help clearing up my misunderstanding...

[SCG_Fenris_Wolf]

Spoiler

- Zoom Mod 17 needs a hotfix for horizon at 5x / 10x zoom first. Will then rebuild and upload packages for all headsets. Hence, only the 5K+ version is updated (but still buggy) right now.

Updated to 17.0.1

Edited December 25, 2019 by SCG_Fenris_Wolf

[SCG_Redcloud111]

Hey, Fenris. All working well. Added new Pitool, as well. Thanks for that. I didn't realize it updated. One question: what do you mean by the new Pitool has a GPU slider? I don't see this function.

[=EXPEND=Dendro]

My f10 key does not seem to work anymore so I cannot recentre or realign my view anymore.

[SCG_Fenris_Wolf]

On 12/22/2019 at 4:57 AM, SCG_redcloud111 said:

Hey, Fenris. All working well. Added new Pitool, as well. Thanks for that. I didn't realize it updated. One question: what do you mean by the new Pitool has a GPU slider? I don't see this function.

The next one will have it, source: directly from a Pimax engineer.

 

Dendro, take a look into your IL-2's keybindings, and check if you have F10 assigned correctly. The mod doesn't touch that btw.

[BobMurphy123]

Folks

 

Please excuse my pitiful newbie question in this very inspiring thread but I am stuck at Ground Zero for using VR in Flying Circus.  

 

I have just bought the download directly from IC Games ( formerly 777 Studios ? ) as they encouraged me to do so  - and I wanted to give them the purchase rather than going thru a re-seller like Steam

 

Possible Mistake ?

 

I also just bought Oculus Rift S . It runs just fine when I use their downloaded games so I know that works with my system

 

Flying Circus runs just fine as a standalone game 

 

The conundrum is exactly HOW do I get this new hardware and FC software to marry up ?

 

I cannot find any instructions anywhere so you may be my last hope  

 

I am truly sorry but I need " VR 101"  for new simmers.

 

If it is any consolation,  I own a 1940 Tiger Moth that I restored from a wreck and I am building a DR-1 .Full size. From Plans.The Real Deal.

 

I use the Moth to take Vets and other worthy seniors back into the skies for fundraisers and charity flights.

 

https://player.vimeo.com/video/366268072

 

It is a long winter here  in Canada and I need a fix of open cockpit VR to see me thru to next Spring  :)

 

Thanks for your consideration

 

BobMurphy123

 

arobertmurphy@rogers.com

 

[dburne]

Can you elaborate on what trouble you are having running it with the Rift S?

 

First in the Oculus Software, make sure you have in the Setting tab under General - " Allow Unknown Sources" toggled on. It is off by default. This needs to be on to allow non-Oculus games to run on the Rift.

 

Then you will need either Steam VR, or Open composite.

To get Steam VR you will need Steam installed ( just to get Steam VR). Once you have Steam install Steam VR from there.

Enable VR  in the IL-2 Graphics settings.

After that, you do not need to start Steam itself, and Steam VR should start automatically for you when you launch IL-2 as long as VR is checked in the settings.

 

Alternatively you can use a third party program called Open Composite. It will allow you to switch from Steam VR to Open Composite for running games that require Steam VR.

I use Open Composite myself, and prefer it with my Rift S as it is a leaner program than Steam VR and I get better performance.

https://www.reddit.com/r/oculus/comments/9nxixe/systemwide_installation_for_opencomposite_released/

 

Hopefully this will help get you started. If you use Steam VR, I recommend setting resolution in the Steam VR settings to manual and 100%.

 

 

 

Edited December 27, 2019 by dburne

[SCG_Fenris_Wolf]

- Updated "how to fix SteamVR's wide FOV nerf" for Pimax 5K+

- New PiTool linked

[Alonzo]

On 12/27/2019 at 3:34 PM, BobMurphy123 said:

I cannot find any instructions anywhere so you may be my last hope  

 

I am truly sorry but I need " VR 101"  for new simmers.

 

If it is any consolation,  I own a 1940 Tiger Moth that I restored from a wreck and I am building a DR-1 .Full size. From Plans.The Real Deal.

 

I use the Moth to take Vets and other worthy seniors back into the skies for fundraisers and charity flights.

 

Awesome stuff, the Tiger Moth. I'm jealous!

 

If you're running the game directly rather than via Steam, you need to go into the Graphics settings and enable the "HMD" option. This will set the game to use a VR headset. I'm assuming this is the problem, that you're not even getting the game to run in the headset yet. If this fixes the problem, please let us know here and we'll have much more advice for optimizing your rig for the Rift S.

[SCG_Redcloud111]

Thanks, will fix and check out large zoom, although I  haven't been using it with anything!

[SCG_Fenris_Wolf]

Hi, yea it's for the large FOV. Since we don't need to use PP anymore (thanks 1CGS and especially @Jason_Williams) the large FOV became viable to use. Immersion and checking your own six has never been so easy ?

[SCG_Redcloud111]

Thanks. Just did a sortie in TAW with Large FOV. All felt very smooth at 64hz. I was playing at 72. But with SS set at 40%, I thought dropping would be good for Large. Good tip!

 

Thanks to the team at Il2 for its VR optimization. Puts War Thunder, DCS, and X-Plane all to shame.

Edited December 29, 2019 by SCG_redcloud111

[BobMurphy123]

OK Good to go .

 

VR is fantastic but giving me the whirlies after a short while....not like the real thing n that regard 

 

Obvious;y I need to remap my most useful keys to the throttle base

 

An odd observation - when I move over in my seat to look down , the side of the cockpit moves away from me . Any thoughts?

 

Thanks so much. This is a blast  !

[marklar]

On 12/29/2019 at 4:08 PM, BobMurphy123 said:

An odd observation - when I move over in my seat to look down , the side of the cockpit moves away from me . Any thoughts?

Turn off cockpit limitations in difficulty settings. Don't remember how this option is called exactly.

[BobMurphy123]

will try that  . thanks

[Talisman]

On 6/14/2019 at 7:20 AM, c6_lefuneste said:

 

You do not need steamVR anymore with Pitool beta.

De activate the automatic launch of steamVR in steamVR settings, close steamVR, launch Pitool, launch IL2 => no steamVR process and VR OK. SteamVR layer is emulated by Pitool, image computation are done by pitool. It looks like only steamVR SuperSampling is used to computed target resolution.

 

 

Thank you very much.  Is there any advantage to not launching SteamVR in this way?

 

Talisman

[VBF-12_Stick-95]

Thanks for your HMD specific versions of 3Dmigoto.  Very helpful.  Could you please clarify the following.

 

From the VR tips and tricks thread:

 

On 6/14/2019 at 2:20 AM, c6_lefuneste said:

 

You do not need steamVR anymore with Pitool beta.

De activate the automatic launch of steamVR in steamVR settings, close steamVR, launch Pitool, launch IL2 => no steamVR process and VR OK. SteamVR layer is emulated by Pitool, image computation are done by pitool. It looks like only steamVR SuperSampling is used to computed target resolution.

 

It's up to you for SmartSmoothing, a bit smoother but some artifacts. I prefer to be at native fps  (that are ok for my rig) without SS.

 

 

However in the instructions here for using 17.0.1 3Dmigoto regarding PiTool v249 Beta with 255 firmware you say:

On 2/18/2018 at 5:53 PM, SCG_Fenris_Wolf said:

From now on, do not start PiTool. You start SteamVR from Steam itself, followed by the Game.

 

I just want to make sure I use the correct setup.  My assumption is to use the latter.

 

[SCG_Fenris_Wolf]

Your assumption is correct ?

[VBF-12_Stick-95]

Thanks for getting back to me @SCG_Fenris_Wolf

 

I was having issues with seeing the Ctrl-Del help screen which c6_lefuneste helped me out with.   I can now see most of the help screen after editing the line #define DEST_BOX_UL_ for X and Y in setting_helper.hlsl in shaderfixes directory.  I also had a conflict with the in-game F9 key command which would wipe out saved convergences.

 

So now I know when I am in Very Coarse, Course, or Fine.  The problem is no matter which selection is on, the convergence of the images never move a millimeter.  I am in a plane on the runway while trying this.  On v17.0.1 at one time it worked on what I assume was Coarse and I got the Low Zoom looking good.  The F9 conflict blew that away and now I can't move the images.

 

Any ideas?

[TCW_Brzi_Joe]

Well, you may still change convergence old way:  

 

It might be slightly different now, but try, and ask if you need help.

[Cpt_Siddy]

The buttons assigned by mod does nothing in my game, i have to change them manually. And ofc no vive settings anywhere ?

 

Wish i could use my old settings but nooooo

[SCG_Fenris_Wolf]

Hey buddy how are you these days ?

 

In the last part of my original post it mentions Joy2Key (or Gremlin) to map them to joystick or throttle. It's a bit tiny though, agreed. You can add some fancy Macros as well, to pull pop and drop the flare-gun with one button press.

 

If you get Vive convergences for 5x and 10x, send them to me. If I had them I'd add them ??

[VBF-12_Stick-95]

On 1/2/2020 at 3:23 PM, Brzi_Joe said:

Well, you may still change convergence old way:  

 

It might be slightly different now, but try, and ask if you need help.

 

Thanks for this.

[VBF-12_Stick-95]

@Brzi_Joe  The 3Dmigoto files have changed quite a bit so that link didn't help directly.  However, since I wasn't making progress with the Pimax specific mod, I went back to the original 3Dmigoto.  Your older instructions got me monkeying around with the settings of $zoomXoffset for Low, Med and High in the user_keymapping_zoom file.  I have been able to converge Low and Medium zoom for both horizontal and vertical.  I have always had a hard time with High zoom.

 

It's odd, some times the keys to converge images work and sometimes they don't.  Have save settings and copied this file as a backup as I don't want to lose the settings should I deactivate mod with JSGME.

 

Thanks everyone for your time and help.

[SCG_Fenris_Wolf]

12 hours ago, VBF-12_Stick-95 said:

@Brzi_Joe  The 3Dmigoto files have changed quite a bit so that link didn't help directly.  However, since I wasn't making progress with the Pimax specific mod, I went back to the original 3Dmigoto.  Your older instructions got me monkeying around with the settings of $zoomXoffset for Low, Med and High in the user_keymapping_zoom file.  I have been able to converge Low and Medium zoom for both horizontal and vertical.  I have always had a hard time with High zoom.

 

It's odd, some times the keys to converge images work and sometimes they don't.  Have save settings and copied this file as a backup as I don't want to lose the settings should I deactivate mod with JSGME.

 

Thanks everyone for your time and help.

 

It's just a guess, but what kind of keyboard are you using - is it a Bluetooth (wireless) keyboard? That could explain, that with multiple keys pressed at the same time, some would not register. The same is true for most non-mechanical keyboards, to varying degree though. 

[VBF-12_Stick-95]

2 hours ago, SCG_Fenris_Wolf said:

 

It's just a guess, but what kind of keyboard are you using - is it a Bluetooth (wireless) keyboard? That could explain, that with multiple keys pressed at the same time, some would not register. The same is true for most non-mechanical keyboards, to varying degree though. 

 

@SCG_Fenris_Wolf Thanks.  I do have a Logitech keyboard that works either way.  At first I used it wireless but found it dropping keys strokes as you say.  So instead I use it with USB.  Since using it with USB I haven't experienced any missing key strokes.  The other problem with wireless is you can't use it to edit the BIOS.

 

One other issue is seeing the Help Menu on a Pimax 8K.  Previously I could only see a little bit of the menu on the far right lower corner of the screen.  I have adjusted variables in setting_helper.hlsl to bring in most of the menu to the forefront.  The problem is the text is too large and the menu flows off the bottom of the screen.  Are there variables to control the text size?

 

Current Help Menu display variables:

#define DEST_BOX_UL_X 0.09

#define DEST_BOX_UL_Y 0.18

 

I haven't seen others with 8Ks sharing their settings, maybe they aren't having the same issues.  I may be wrong but I would think variables would be different between the 5K+ and the 8K as the native screen res is different.  Should I get these settings adjusted properly for the 8K I'd be glad to share them.

 

[J5_HellCat_]

Just want to say thanks for your HMD specific versions of 3Dmigoto mod ...really appreciate it. S~

[J5_HellCat_]

One more question I tried to edit the file for the check six to increase it but I can't seem to get it to move off of default 20 I un commented line and commented lines to get 30 but it didn't seem to change anything ...I'd like to try the 45 degree ....Am i missing something ?  Is it only for the Pimax Here's what my edit looks like ...

 

[Keyh]
; rotate view left 
Key = NO_MODIFIERS VK_NEXT 
type = hold
 ;30°
$cosView = 0.86602
$sinView = 0.5
; 15°
;$cosView = 0.965925
;$sinView = 0.258819

[Keyi]
; rotate view right 
Key = NO_MODIFIERS VK_END
type = hold
;30°
$cosView = 0.86602
$sinView = -0.5
; 15°
;$cosView = 0.965925
;$sinView = -0.258819

Edited January 5, 2020 by HellCat_

[SCG_Fenris_Wolf]

Hey @HellCat_ , thanks for the kudos. Regarding the rotation, 20° is the maximum limitation by IL-2's engine (source: @c6_lefuneste).

Edited January 5, 2020 by SCG_Fenris_Wolf

[TCW_Brzi_Joe]

? Hm, I still use 45deg, even with all graphical tearing... At least I can turn back, +45deg turn view, + zoom 5x = that is the only way to be sure my six is clear.

@HellCat_ you did right, I do not know why it does not work for you. You did try to restart, did you?