Help!! .... Should I wear a skimpy bikini to set up VR? - Basic steps please?

[KPnutskgwanchos]

Sorry to ask again guys but could someone just list the BASIC steps to setting up VR on IL2 in the order that I should do them.

 

Forgive me if Im missing it but how can Devs spend so much time optimising this excellent game  for VR but not provide even a simple guide for how to set it up ?

 

If I could  find an overview to get me started, I can then research the details for each step.

 

All I can find so far seem to be very dense complex suggestions / tips that may or may not be out of date?

 

I have a Q2 and a decent rig that has passed the Steam VR test. I also have a lead or happy to try wireless first?

 

 

Thanks in anticipation   

[AEthelraedUnraed]

Depends on your gender. Call me sexist, but I'm not really interested in male bikini pics.

 

Anyway, I never tried the wireless option but I'd use a cable if I were you, as it's quite important to have a stable, low-latency, high-throughput connection. It also keeps your headset charged. It doesn't have to be the overpriced Oculus cable, any good USB-C cable will do.

 

There's nothing really to set up. Connect your rig to your PC and start up the Oculus VR software so that you're in the bright room. Go to IL2 in Steam, press Play and choose the VR option.

[KPnutskgwanchos]

Thanks 

9 minutes ago, AEthelraedUnraed said:

Depends on your gender. Call me sexist, but I'm not really interested in male bikini pics.

 

Anyway, I never tried the wireless option but I'd use a cable if I were you, as it's quite important to have a stable, low-latency, high-throughput connection. It also keeps your headset charged. It doesn't have to be the overpriced Oculus cable, any good USB-C cable will do.

 

There's nothing really to set up. Connect your rig to your PC and start up the Oculus VR software so that you're in the bright room. Go to IL2 in Steam, press Play and choose the VR option.

? ..... didnt say I was offering pictures!! ...  Thanks AEthelraedUnraed ... so all the tweeks and mods and advice ... not needed any more? all works perfect straight out the box?  

[AEthelraedUnraed]

Nope, not needed. Those tweaks might give you a few extra FPS, but even if you plan on tweaking things, I'd still recommend to start with the default settings, to have a good benchmark.

[BornToBattle]

It’s really as simple as stated above. Just make sure your room is bright (for tracking) and yeah, wired is usually the best option over wireless due to speed, charging capabilities and reliability.

 

Funny cuz being in your own world in VR at times I’ve found myself dodging around the skies online near the end of the day only to discover my headset not functioning correctly as time went on due to it being too dark in the room as the sun had set lol.

[SAG]

3 hours ago, BornToBattle said:

Funny cuz being in your own world in VR at times I’ve found myself dodging around the skies online near the end of the day only to discover my headset not functioning correctly as time went on due to it being too dark in the room as the sun had set lol.

 

 

Happens to me all the time. Yesterday I was in a downwards rolling scissors against a 109 and right when I was getting the upper hand, My tracking went crazy and the headset froze, then all my USB devices froze and I was stuck looking at my plane continue rolling into the ground on its own. It took about 20 seconds and  It was scaary.

 

5 hours ago, KPnutskgwanchos said:

Sorry to ask again guys but could someone just list the BASIC steps to setting up VR on IL2 in the order that I should do them.

 

...and by the way, it should be pink, your mankini should be pink or your latency will be too high.

[KPnutskgwanchos]

2 hours ago, SAG said:

 

 

Happens to me all the time. Yesterday I was in a downwards rolling scissors against a 109 and right when I was getting the upper hand, My tracking went crazy and the headset froze, then all my USB devices froze and I was stuck looking at my plane continue rolling into the ground on its own. It took about 20 seconds and  It was scaary.

 

 

...and by the way, it should be pink, your mankini should be pink or your latency will be too high.

Fantastic thanks sag... Pink it is... I'll do anything for extra FPS... And love of course! ?

Edited January 14, 2022 by KPnutskgwanchos

[VA_Kamicosmos]

Well, to be the counter-voice here, I had a bit of trouble setting up my Quest 2.  I am running wireless with Virtual Desktop. I could never get Link and the expensive official cable to do anything other than dock the headset for data transfer.

 

So, for wireless, first off you will need a 5G router, and preferably you want only the headset and the PC on it (and the PC should be wired to it, preferably.

Virtual Desktop.  There is an app in the Oculus store, and a companion app to install on your PC

Then there are settings in SteamVR and IL2 to setup.

THEN you can launch your headset, launch VDT, Launch IL2 and fingers crossed, they talk to each other.

SteamVR and Virtual Desktop make it pretty easy. 

 

For comparison, I have yet to get MechWarrior 5 to run in VR, best I can get is Theater Mode at single digit frame rates.  I have about given up on that project.

 

As far as tweaks goes, there's a lot of things to do that can improve your frame rate.  My Quest 2 and RTX2060 average around 37fps currently with how I have it setup.  There's obvious things to do like turn off grass, reflections, distant buildings.  Play with the horizon distance.  Some not so obvious settings: Turn OFF anti-aliasing.  Turn off sharpness.  Turn gamma down to about .8 and turn the Terrain to Blurred (really helps with spotting).  I have my clouds on High, and I never use mirrors (to my detriment) so I have those off.  If I leave everything on, I'm down around 30fps with dips to the mid-20s which can cause me some nausea. (I want to play with Open Composite, I hear it gives a noticeable boost to FPS.  But, my system currently works, so I don't really want to break it, ya know?)

[KPnutskgwanchos]

17 hours ago, Kamicosmos said:

Well, to be the counter-voice here, I had a bit of trouble setting up my Quest 2.  I am running wireless with Virtual Desktop. I could never get Link and the expensive official cable to do anything other than dock the headset for data transfer.

 

So, for wireless, first off you will need a 5G router, and preferably you want only the headset and the PC on it (and the PC should be wired to it, preferably.

Virtual Desktop.  There is an app in the Oculus store, and a companion app to install on your PC

Then there are settings in SteamVR and IL2 to setup.

THEN you can launch your headset, launch VDT, Launch IL2 and fingers crossed, they talk to each other.

SteamVR and Virtual Desktop make it pretty easy. 

 

For comparison, I have yet to get MechWarrior 5 to run in VR, best I can get is Theater Mode at single digit frame rates.  I have about given up on that project.

 

As far as tweaks goes, there's a lot of things to do that can improve your frame rate.  My Quest 2 and RTX2060 average around 37fps currently with how I have it setup.  There's obvious things to do like turn off grass, reflections, distant buildings.  Play with the horizon distance.  Some not so obvious settings: Turn OFF anti-aliasing.  Turn off sharpness.  Turn gamma down to about .8 and turn the Terrain to Blurred (really helps with spotting).  I have my clouds on High, and I never use mirrors (to my detriment) so I have those off.  If I leave everything on, I'm down around 30fps with dips to the mid-20s which can cause me some nausea. (I want to play with Open Composite, I hear it gives a noticeable boost to FPS.  But, my system currently works, so I don't really want to break it, ya know?)

Thanks Kamicosmos ....  Ive got a decent USB cable so I will first try with the wired route as there is further expense in having to buy the virtual desktop. Ive got a 2070 super OC and an I7 2600k pushed to 4.2Ghz so Im hopeful that I can at least get reasonable FPS. All sounds like its a bit of a lottery tho so crossing fingers.      

[Asgar]

I mean „setting up VR in IL-2“ is just activating the „use VR“ setting in the launcher and you’re done

[O_DesoLunatic]

32 minutes ago, Asgar said:

I mean „setting up VR in IL-2“ is just activating the „use VR“ setting in the launcher and you’re done

Yup, exactly this.

 

Not sure why OP thinks Il2 devs should produce a tutorial on how to setup every single HMD on the market, while providing a user manual for such is the manufacturer's job, which, shocking I know, they do provide. Sadly they require reading comprehension level above 3rd grade.

 

If only there was an internet search engine type thing that allowed us to find answer to any topic in 5 minutes. Too bad, but oh well atleast we can write snarky jokes that only highlight our laziness, so all is fine. 

[SAG]

19 hours ago, Kamicosmos said:

Well, to be the counter-voice here, I had a bit of trouble setting up my Quest 2.  I am running wireless with Virtual Desktop. I could never get Link and the expensive official cable to do anything other than dock the headset for data transfer.

 

So, for wireless, first off you will need a 5G router, and preferably you want only the headset and the PC on it (and the PC should be wired to it, preferably.

Virtual Desktop.  There is an app in the Oculus store, and a companion app to install on your PC

Then there are settings in SteamVR and IL2 to setup.

THEN you can launch your headset, launch VDT, Launch IL2 and fingers crossed, they talk to each other.

SteamVR and Virtual Desktop make it pretty easy. 

 

For comparison, I have yet to get MechWarrior 5 to run in VR, best I can get is Theater Mode at single digit frame rates.  I have about given up on that project.

 

As far as tweaks goes, there's a lot of things to do that can improve your frame rate.  My Quest 2 and RTX2060 average around 37fps currently with how I have it setup.  There's obvious things to do like turn off grass, reflections, distant buildings.  Play with the horizon distance.  Some not so obvious settings: Turn OFF anti-aliasing.  Turn off sharpness.  Turn gamma down to about .8 and turn the Terrain to Blurred (really helps with spotting).  I have my clouds on High, and I never use mirrors (to my detriment) so I have those off.  If I leave everything on, I'm down around 30fps with dips to the mid-20s which can cause me some nausea. (I want to play with Open Composite, I hear it gives a noticeable boost to FPS.  But, my system currently works, so I don't really want to break it, ya know?)

 

I have a 2070 Super and I believe that one to be the minimum for a good VR experience in Il2 and I only have a Rift S.

Anyway, I write to encourage you to use OpenComposite, the latest versions have a button to activate it and a button to reverse it to defaault. It literally is as easy as one button. I was also reluctant since i didn't want to break anything but I'm glad I tried it out for 10-15 more Fps for pretty much pressing a button.

[KPnutskgwanchos]

3 hours ago, O_DesoLunatic said:

Yup, exactly this.

 

Not sure why OP thinks Il2 devs should produce a tutorial on how to setup every single HMD on the market, while providing a user manual for such is the manufacturer's job, which, shocking I know, they do provide. Sadly they require reading comprehension level above 3rd grade.

 

If only there was an internet search engine type thing that allowed us to find answer to any topic in 5 minutes. Too bad, but oh well atleast we can write snarky jokes that only highlight our laziness, so all is fine. 

There's always one that needs to roast a newbie isn't there ?.... Ok point taken... But there are a lot of complex posts on the subject so I assumed it was a tricky thing to get right... I'm glad to hear it's not tho ?

1 hour ago, SAG said:

 

I have a 2070 Super and I believe that one to be the minimum for a good VR experience in Il2 and I only have a Rift S.

Anyway, I write to encourage you to use OpenComposite, the latest versions have a button to activate it and a button to reverse it to defaault. It literally is as easy as one button. I was also reluctant since i didn't want to break anything but I'm glad I tried it out for 10-15 more Fps for pretty much pressing a button.

Thanks Sag... Sounds like a no brainer to use open composite now I read about it...  No drawbacks at all?... Can the 6 neck saver still be used? 

[56RAF_Roblex]

Here are my steps. 

Before we do anything, tick the box in Graphics setting to 'Enable VR HMD' You can also tick it from the launcher settings menu.

 

Sometimes it goes wrong for 'reasons' so I now do things in a strict order

 

1. Start the headset & log in etc.   No cable yet.

2. Start the Oculus app on the PC

3. Start the SteamVR app on the PC,

4. Plug in the cable from the PC to the headset.
    4a  It will ask if you want to allow the pc to access data on the headset (or maybe other way around?).  Click 'Deny'

    4b It will ask if you want to enable the link cable.   Click Yes

You will now be seeing either a bleak 3D landscape or will be in a SteamVR Home environment.   Sometimes I will get a message saying that SteamVR has not picked up the headset (maybe I started it after plugging in the headset?) but it offers the option to click a button to reset SteamVR then it works.

 

5. Lift the headset far enough to see where your IL2 app is and click it and launch IL2 Put the headset back over your eyes. (Note there are ways to see the desktop from the headset but I am keeping it simple rather than describing how to bring up the menu bar and click certain items; and I can't remember it exactly right now)

6.  You should now be in that bleak VR landscape with a box saying that IL2 is starting.

7. It should now go into IL2 in VR.

That is just what I do. I have seen others saying that you must always launch IL2 from Steam but that does not work for me.    I may have missed a step in that I have a feeling that I might have had to tell Steam or SteamVR that IL2 was a VR app. Perhaps someone can comment on that?

 

As far as settings go,  I tried dozens of combinations and really did not see much difference and it always runs at 72fps whatever I set. 

HDR seems to make everything pop so I have that turned on. 

Reducing gamma to 0.7 helped a bit. 

VSynch does not do anything in VR so I have it off in case it is wasting framerate for no reason. 

I have the resolution turned down as I am told it only affects what is shown on the monitor so no point wasting framerate making it high but don't go too low as it affects how far your cursor can move so might mean you cant click some buttons in menus etc.

I turned off sharpness then told Nvidia to do that instead and that made things much clearer.
I see many people advice turned off AA entirely but I find it makes things look horrible so use 2x.
I do have trouble IDing  aircraft a few Km away but none of the settings makes any difference to that.  While I can ID bombers,  I can not see well enough to tell a 190 from a Mustang until I am nearly in gun range ?
 

Edited January 15, 2022 by 56RAF_Roblex

[SAG]

16 minutes ago, KPnutskgwanchos said:

 

Thanks Sag... Sounds like a no brainer to use open composite now I read about it...  No drawbacks at all?... Can the 6 neck saver still be used? 

 

 

 

ooooh right on the nail. nope, can't use neck saver. good question

[KPnutskgwanchos]

7 minutes ago, 56RAF_Roblex said:

Here are my steps. 

Before we do anything, tick the box in Graphics setting to 'Enable VR HMD' You can also tick it from the launcher settings menu.

 

Sometimes it goes wrong for 'reasons' so I now do things in a strict order

 

1. Start the headset & log in etc.   No cable yet.

2. Start the Oculus app on the PC

3. Start the SteamVR app on the PC,

4. Plug in the cable from the PC to the headset.
    4a  It will ask if you want to allow the pc to access data on the headset (or maybe other way around?).  Click 'Deny'

    4b It will ask if you want to enable the link cable.   Click Yes

You will now be seeing either a bleak 3D landscape or will be in a SteamVR Home environment.   Sometimes I will get a message saying that SteamVR has not picked up the headset (maybe I started it after plugging in the headset?) but it offers the option to click a button to reset SteamVR then it works.

 

5. Lift the headset far enough to see where your IL2 app is and click it and launch IL2 Put the headset back over your eyes. (Note there are ways to see the desktop from the headset but I am keeping it simple rather than describing how to bring up the menu bar and click certain items; and I can't remember it exactly right now)

6.  You should now be in that bleak VR landscape with a box saying that IL2 is starting.

7. It should now go into IL2 in VR.

That is just what I do. I have seen others saying that you must always launch IL2 from Steam but that does not work for me.    I may have missed a step in that I have a feeling that I might have had to tell Steam or SteamVR that IL2 was a VR app. Perhaps someone can comment on that?

 

As far as settings go,  I tried dozens of combinations and really did not see much difference and it always runs at 72fps whatever I set.  HDR seems to make everything pop so I have that turned on.  Reducing gamma to 0.7 helped a bit.  VSynch does not do anything in VR so I have it off in case it is wasting framerate for no reason.  I have the resolution turned down as I am told it only affects what is shown on the monitor so no point wasting framerate making it high but don't go too low as it affects how far your cursor can move.

Wow thanks Roblex!.... Brilliant step by step thank you ✌️

[AEthelraedUnraed]

On 1/14/2022 at 8:28 PM, Kamicosmos said:

Well, to be the counter-voice here, I had a bit of trouble setting up my Quest 2.  I am running wireless with Virtual Desktop. I could never get Link and the expensive official cable to do anything other than dock the headset for data transfer.

In case you want to give it another go, there's a forum full of people willing to help

 

9 hours ago, KPnutskgwanchos said:

Sounds like a no brainer to use open composite now I read about it...  No drawbacks at all?...

My cable connection is a bit buggy, and OpenComposite + SteamVR can't handle that so that IL2 crashes when it happens. Either SteamVR on its own or OpenComposite + Oculus VR does work, or at least I can reconnect the cable and go on where I left off.

 

It doesn't happen all too often, perhaps on average once an hour, but I've had a successful 45-minute sortie ruined one too many times to continue with OpenComposite. It's a pity, cause it outperforms SteamVR in all other aspects.

[Freycinet]

I hear that glistening sweaty, well-oiled naked skin can easily throw off your tracking because of reflexes, which is why it is better to not wear a bikini while playing in VR.