OpenXR give it a try

[Tatzlwurm]

Today i discovered this video

 

 

I did a quick test on my Rift S and it runs pretty smoth now, even with my gtx 1070ti.

 

I made a  quick mission with clouds on max and max planes and ground forces wich normaly kills my fps so that the game is unplayable. With this the game runs smoth even with drops to 39 fps, bevore it did drop under 30.

 

Some more testing is needed , for me its a big improvement.

 

 

Search in google : windows apps then openxr, install it

 

In registry i made a second folder for steamvr

after that i lowered the resolution in steamvr settings so that it gets close to the hmd resolution.

Then i started the game

 

 

 

 

 

 

edit 24.12

 

Yesterday i was giving only a quick heads up, it was late and i need my sleep.

 

Im no expert , if i can do it everyone can.

 

So far its working good for me i even upscaled ingame graphics, but vr is an individual thing, what works for me might not work for you.

 

 

 

 

 

google search

 

 

 

 

do a search in website

 

 

 

 

 

 

type openxr

 

 

 

 

 

 

install and start it

 

 

 

my settings

 

 

 

 

 

 

Open regedit , right click active runtime, edit, insert path to file.

 

Find these files on your pc, hardrive and folders depend on your install. I did a explorer search to find it.

 

for oculus                   g:\Oculus\Support\oculus-runtime\oculus_openxr_64.json

steamVr                     G:\Steam\steamapps\common\SteamVR\steamxr_win64.json

windows mixed        C:\WINDOWS\system32\MixedRealityRuntime.json

 

 

 

 

I  made 2 extra folders normaly there is only 1 , on the right side i made a new "ActiveRuntime", in each of it and inserted the path to the files i listet above (depends on your install).

 

Yes i made three becaus i get my g2 today

 

after that i did a restart , dont know if its needed.

 

 

 

 

 

 

my steamvr settings

 

 

 

 

 

check also video and when the game has started check again

 

 

 

 

For starting the game i dont need openxr open only for setting it up

 

My startup now is 1.oculus    2.steamvr   3.start game

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Edited December 24, 2020 by Tatzlwurm
update

[BP_Lizard]

Thanks for the heads up. I, also, have a Rift S and can’t wait to give it a try.

[Izel]

Hi   @Tatzlwurm,

 

This sounds very interesting! Could you elaborate a little bit more on the steps you performed on Regedit? It is not very clear to me where does the new folder (steamvr) needs to be created.

Cheers!

 

Sergio

[Izel]

5 hours ago, Tatzlwurm said:

 

 

Search in google : windows apps then openxr, install it

 

In registry i made a second folder for steamvr

after that i lowered the resolution in steamvr settings so that it gets close to the hmd resolution.

Then i started the game

 

Wow!  It really does seem to work!

 

I have a Reverb G1.    I was intrigued by your suggestion and found this link elaborating on the Registry setting. I first downloaded AND updated the OpenXR for Windows Mixed Reality app and it seems it automatically did the swap to OpenXR, since my registry settings already reflected the change. I then  reduced the "Custom render scale" as described on the video you posted down to 75%.  Gameplay was butter smooth, locked at 60fps with my CPU running at stock settings (no overclock). I did notice a little bit of blurriness, but gauges were still readable.   Definitely need to test more.  

 

Hopefully we'll hear from more people trying this out!

 

Cheers!

 

Izel

[[CPT]Crunch]

He does a piss poor job, never mentions there's two distinct and separate apps you need from the MS store, you'll also need the OpenXR Developer Tools for Windows Mixed Reality if you ever want to see that settings page to control it.

[Dutch2]

Bit confusing here so, right now I do run BOX on steamVR using WMR hs,

So for better FPS I have to disable SteamVR, download openXR, doing an registry modification and run BoX pure on Windows VR and openXR. ?

 

 

 

Edited December 24, 2020 by Dutch2

[Panzerlang]

I saw OpenXR come in on an update a few days ago. I checked the registry last night and that G2 entry is already in there. I did download the dev tool last night too but I'm not inclined to reduce the slider at this point as IL2 runs sweet right now.

Edited December 24, 2020 by JG51-Hetzer

[firdimigdi]

14 hours ago, Tatzlwurm said:

did a quick test on my Rift S and it runs pretty smoth now, even with my gtx 1070ti.

 

How does it stack up against OpenComposite? So far for Oculus I have found that to be the best way (at least for IL-2).

[Tatzlwurm]

For me its better , got sometimes wingwarping with opencomposite

[firdimigdi]

Quick question - when you press "System Status" in the OpenXR Dev Tools app - what do you see?

[Izel]

2 minutes ago, Firdimigdi said:

Quick question - when you press "System Status" in the OpenXR Dev Tools app - what do you see?

 

Hi, @Firdimigdi - here it is.  It is in spanish, hope it is useful as this:

[firdimigdi]

Thanks but I was referring to @Tatzlwurm since he too uses an Oculus Rift S like I do - you are obviously using a WMR headset.

[Tatzlwurm]

I did not try , im not sure if i have this , have to check.

[firdimigdi]

Sure you do - from the screenshot you posted above:

[Tatzlwurm]

somehow it says no hmd present , but it works for me.

Try it if it works        good.

 

As i posted in my first edit i can play the game now with max quality clouds and bad weather wich was before unplayable.

 

But more tests are needed and every pc es different, so it might not work for all.

 

 

 

[firdimigdi]

OK, this basically means that you are not using OpenXR at all since the Oculus is not a WMR headset.

All you did was lower the resolution in SteamVR. So yes, if you lower the resolution then it will run better as expected.

 

EDIT

Not to mention that AFAIK IL-2 does not hook up to the OpenXR API at all, it uses OpenVR (hence the openvr_api.dll in the bin\games folder).

Edited December 24, 2020 by Firdimigdi

[Izel]

4 hours ago, Dutch2 said:

Bit confusing here so, right now I do run BOX on steamVR using WMR hs,

So for better FPS I have to disable SteamVR, download openXR, doing an registry modification and run BoX pure on Windows VR and openXR. ?

 

 

 

Hi @Dutch2,  I also have a WMR headset (Reverb G1)

I'll try to remember the steps I did.

 

1. First I updated OpenXR for Windows Mixed Reality  from the Microsoft Store

2. Then I Installed the OpenXR Developer Tools for Windows Mixed Reality, again from the Microsoft Store

3. I then opened the registry and looked for the configured runtime on the following key: Computer\HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Khronos\OpenXR\1

    I noticed it was already pointing to the OpenXR runtime (C:\WINDOWS\system32\MixedRealityRuntime.json). I assume one of the previous installs did the registry update.

4. I then opened the OpenXR Deverloper Tools for Windows Mixed Reality and changed these settings

 

 

5. Finally, I launched IL2.  

 

Normally I have to reboot my machine,  so I can enter with a custom overclocking for IL2,  this time I stayed with my stock clock settings on both CPU and GPU  and experienced extremely smooth test flights on the Kuban map. (A map that usually makes my 1080Ti stutter every now and then).  Also, I am locked down to 60FPS and have the reprojection indicator enabled. It stayed green the whole flight.

 

Hope this helps, hope to hear your feedback!

 

Izel

[Tatzlwurm]

Thats possible, im no expert im just a gamer.

 

The game runs smooth so maybe someone test only the steamvr setting so that we know whats happening.

[Dutch2]

1 hour ago, Izel said:

Hi @Dutch2,  I also have a WMR headset (Reverb G1)

I'll try to remember the steps I did.

 

1. First I updated OpenXR for Windows Mixed Reality  from the Microsoft Store

2. Then I Installed the OpenXR Developer Tools for Windows Mixed Reality, again from the Microsoft Store

3. I then opened the registry and looked for the configured runtime on the following key: Computer\HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Khronos\OpenXR\1

    I noticed it was already pointing to the OpenXR runtime (C:\WINDOWS\system32\MixedRealityRuntime.json). I assume one of the previous installs did the registry update.

4. I then opened the OpenXR Deverloper Tools for Windows Mixed Reality and changed these settings

 

 

5. Finally, I launched IL2.  

 

Normally I have to reboot my machine,  so I can enter with a custom overclocking for IL2,  this time I stayed with my stock clock settings on both CPU and GPU  and experienced extremely smooth test flights on the Kuban map. (A map that usually makes my 1080Ti stutter every now and then).  Also, I am locked down to 60FPS and have the reprojection indicator enabled. It stayed green the whole flight.

 

Hope this helps, hope to hear your feedback!

 

Izel

OK I know how and what to install but still my question:

Can I get rid of SteamVR, which seems to be holding down VR performance.

 

 

[Izel]

3 hours ago, Dutch2 said:

OK I know how and what to install but still my question:

Can I get rid of SteamVR, which seems to be holding down VR performance.

 

 

That unfortunately I don't know.  Steam VR UI is still popping when I Iaunch IL-2.  However, from this steam forum post, I infer that we are actually instructig SteamVR to switch to OpenXR for rendering.  

 

[[CPT]Crunch]

No, you can't get rid of SteamVR, its still used but OpenXR takes over as the interphase with WMR.  You can verify which is the controlling runtime in your steamVR settings developer page when set to show advanced.  There's no direct support in our games yet, so your going to have to ride through steam for now. 

 

Not much of an increase in frames, but what is noticeable is the display graph has calmed down dramatically, much smoother and consistent frames.  If you've reasonable frames but suffering bad stutters this could be a cure.

[Dutch2]

I did give it a go and I notice while using the adjustments from above ( as being published in this topic) you shift down the resolution and are selecting the  motion reprojection to auto. So that sure will bring in more performance.  

Edited December 25, 2020 by Dutch2
adjustments as being published in this topic

[Izel]

44 minutes ago, Dutch2 said:

I did give it a go and I notice while using the adjustments from above you shift down the resolution and are selecting the  motion reprojection to auto. So that sure will bring in more performance. 

Yes, you are completely right.  I haven't tried it yet with full resolution.  I think it is a matter or preferences, I prefer a bit of blurriness than  stutters.

 

[firdimigdi]

10 hours ago, Dutch2 said:

I did give it a go and I notice while using the adjustments from above ( as being published in this topic) you shift down the resolution and are selecting the  motion reprojection to auto. So that sure will bring in more performance.  

 

Yeah, as I commented above that's exactly what happened here, OP reduced resolution and (naturally) gained performance, it's got nothing to do with adding OpenXR to the chain.

[Dutch2]

Guess I’m all seeing this wrong but, you do have  the same OpenXR adjustments in SteamVR, its just a matter of shifting down the resolution and make the motion reprojection active by changing a .txt file in the Steam folder. I think for you guys its better do like what I do,  shifting the resolution up to 140–150% in SteamVR then set the BoX ingame Dynamic Resolution to 0.9 or 0.8. So most of the time you can enjoy the better game graphics, while when it becomes FPS demanding the game shifts back to lower resolution,  the same resolution as you did forced in OpenXR.  

Setting the Motion reprojection to active or auto is just a matter of personal taste, in my case I’m forced to set this on auto, because I have manually set those ugly & shimmering BoX clouds to the ultra,  (ingame and in GPreset file), so when its cloudy my OC GTX1080 does face difficulties. 

 

An great advantage could be, that why I was asking, if this software could eliminate the chubby SteamVR like that alternative  for SteamVR, Open composite for the rift. In that case we would see a possibility of performance gain. Right now it appears to me as another software thats eating CPU load. 

I could be wrong inhere, I do not have an HP nor an Rift VRHS, so please correct me, but right now I do not notice any benefits. 

 

Edited December 28, 2020 by Dutch2

[71st_AH_Mastiff]

I'm confused I already have Steam VR, and WMR installed, from Steam. so what is this exactly doing? for me? when I downloaded this it stated I already have openxr running?

 

 

[dburne]

IL-2 supports running through Open XR?

I use it with MSFS 2020 but was not aware one could also use it with IL-2?

I may have to give that a try if so.

[firdimigdi]

12 hours ago, dburne said:

IL-2 supports running through Open XR?

 

No, it does not - it is an OpenVR title. In MSFS's root you can see openxr_loader.dll as you do in any game that uses OpenXR, in IL-2's you'll find openvr_api.dll as you do in any game that uses OpenVR.

 

The creator of OpenComposite for example has a branch made to translate OpenVR to OpenXR instead of Oculus' specific LibOVR here: https://gitlab.com/znixian/OpenOVR/-/tree/openxr

 

That way you could use your headset manufacturer's OpenXR implementation and you could use OpenComposite to substitute SteamVR for any number of OpenVR games even using a WMR headset.

Edited January 5, 2021 by Firdimigdi

[dburne]

3 minutes ago, Firdimigdi said:

 

No, it does not - it is an OpenVR title. In MSFS's root you can see openxr_loader.dll as you do in any game that uses OpenXR, in IL-2's you'll find openvr_api.dll as you do in any game that uses OpenVR.

 

The creator of OpenComposite for example has a branch made to translate OpenVR to OpenXR instead of Oculus' specific LibOVR here: https://gitlab.com/znixian/OpenOVR/-/tree/openxr

 

That way you could use your headset manufacturer's OpenXR implementation and you could use OpenComposite to substitute SteamVR for any number of OpenVR games even using a WMR headset.

 

 

Ok thanks much for the clarification.

[Dutch2]

2 hours ago, Firdimigdi said:

 

No, it does not - it is an OpenVR title. In MSFS's root you can see openxr_loader.dll as you do in any game that uses OpenXR, in IL-2's you'll find openvr_api.dll as you do in any game that uses OpenVR.

 

The creator of OpenComposite for example has a branch made to translate OpenVR to OpenXR instead of Oculus' specific LibOVR here: https://gitlab.com/znixian/OpenOVR/-/tree/openxr

 

That way you could use your headset manufacturer's OpenXR implementation and you could use OpenComposite to substitute SteamVR for any number of OpenVR games even using a WMR headset.

 

OK Now it becomes interesting, are you saying I can skip SteamVR and use OpenXR instead for my WMR hs? 

[firdimigdi]

Not currently but once there is a release of OpenComposite's OpenXR branch I believe so, yes.

There's commentary on it here:

https://gitlab.com/znixian/OpenOVR/-/issues/77

Edited January 5, 2021 by Firdimigdi