New to VR, need help navigating WMR and SteamVR for IL-2

[p6889k]

Finally got to setup VR and play IL-2 on it and wow, what an experience, I didn't expect what a leap it would from 2D with TrackIR, amazing, now I understand why people here say they would never go back to 2D. I also didn't expect the amount of frustration to get things configured and game launched. I have a bunch of random questions that I would appreciate if you could help me with:

 

Here's what I've done so far:

• Patched windows and Nvidia drivers to latest. Set Nvidia Power Management to Maximum Performance for IL-2.
• Installed WMR, SteamVR, WMR for SteamVR, fpsVR
• Configured IL-2 launcher settings to Enable VR - I'm using standalone Il-2, not Steam version
• HW Used: 12700K Overclocked, 64GB DDR4 3333Hz C16, RTX4090, Reverb G2
• G2 set for 90Hz, Seated position
• Configured SteamVR for 100% resolution (around 3k x 3k), Motion Smoothing globally enabled, no per app setting created.
• Configured WMR for SteamVR reprojection to Auto (when set to Steam per app setting I was getting only 45FPS, with Auto I'm getting 90fps)
• IL-2 Graphics settings: everything is on normal, nothing ultra, MSAA 2x, just trying to have a reliable/safe starting experience to get 90fps. Will tweak later for more.

 

How do I reliably launch the game?
Took me a long time to figure how to do this. My sequence now is: Reboot PC, power on G2, launch fpsVR (because I like to see it to monitor my setup while learning), launch IL-2. This seems to usually work, but sometimes the game launches and GPU is extremely overloaded (20ms GPU frame render, 24GB VRAM maxed out, reprojection all over the place, CPU is normal) even in IL-2 menus, for no apparent reason. I have to quit the game, reboot, start again, and then it usually works, seeing comfortable 90fps, GPU render around 7ms, CPU as well. My only guess is that WMR Home or SteamHome are in the background consuming resources?

 

How do I re-launch the game?

After some play time, If I exit the game, and immediately try to launch it again (e.g. because I'm changing IL-2 graphics settings that require reboot), I can hear the game in the speakers, I see it on my monitor, but G2 is showing WMR House. I can't find a way to switch to the game that's obviously running. How do I exit the WMR House and enter the game that's running? I see SteamVR Home icon inside of WMR House, but when I click to launch it nothing happens, but on the desktop, not G2, I get a message - failed to update SteamVR, app already running. It seems that the only time I can launch SteamVR Home from WMR House is right after fresh reboot and without manually launching Steam VR first.

 

Is there a way to configure SteamVR outside of G2 (via regular Windows desktop). When SteamVR is running I don't see it on my desktop to configure it, I have to use my G2 to enter Steam Home and go from there into configuration. Any way to change settings outside of G2?

 

Is there a way to reposition the IL-2 game menus/hangar? Sometimes it's too close or too far or too much to the side, etc. How can I position it the way I want?

 

I find it difficult to aim with the gun sight reticle. It seems little bit blurry or unevenly illuminated. In 2D it's very clear. The cockpit is otherwise amazingly clear and so is the outside. Is it perhaps simulating how real gun sights looked like in real life? I do have mild prescription glasses for shortsightedness, I haven't tried to use them with the G2 out of fear of scratching the lenses. Maybe I need to fly with glasses?

 

[Arioch_RN]

2 hours ago, p6889k said:

Is there a way to reposition the IL-2 game menus/hangar? Sometimes it's too close or too far or too much to the side, etc. How can I position it the way I want?

 

I find it difficult to aim with the gun sight reticle. It seems little bit blurry or unevenly illuminated. In 2D it's very clear. The cockpit is otherwise amazingly clear and so is the outside. Is it perhaps simulating how real gun sights looked like in real life? I do have mild prescription glasses for shortsightedness, I haven't tried to use them with the G2 out of fear of scratching the lenses. Maybe I need to fly with glasses?

I’m afraid I can’t help with your other questions (I use a Quest 2 & OpenXR) but these last two sound like you just need to recenter your view in the game - f10 is the default.

 

In the cockpit, I position myself so that the gun sight is clear when looking with my dominant eye, press f10 (or rather the button on my HOTAS that I’ve bound) then relax back into my normal sitting position and press NumPad5 - this brings me to the view I want to be at.

[Paul_RSXK]

On 12/27/2022 at 2:16 AM, p6889k said:

Finally got to setup VR and play IL-2 on it and wow, what an experience, I didn't expect what a leap it would from 2D with TrackIR, amazing, now I understand why people here say they would never go back to 2D. I also didn't expect the amount of frustration to get things configured and game launched. I have a bunch of random questions that I would appreciate if you could help me with:

 

Here's what I've done so far:

• Patched windows and Nvidia drivers to latest. Set Nvidia Power Management to Maximum Performance for IL-2.
• Installed WMR, SteamVR, WMR for SteamVR, fpsVR
• Configured IL-2 launcher settings to Enable VR - I'm using standalone Il-2, not Steam version
• HW Used: 12700K Overclocked, 64GB DDR4 3333Hz C16, RTX4090, Reverb G2
• G2 set for 90Hz, Seated position
• Configured SteamVR for 100% resolution (around 3k x 3k), Motion Smoothing globally enabled, no per app setting created.
• Configured WMR for SteamVR reprojection to Auto (when set to Steam per app setting I was getting only 45FPS, with Auto I'm getting 90fps)
• IL-2 Graphics settings: everything is on normal, nothing ultra, MSAA 2x, just trying to have a reliable/safe starting experience to get 90fps. Will tweak later for more.

 

How do I reliably launch the game?
Took me a long time to figure how to do this. My sequence now is: Reboot PC, power on G2, launch fpsVR (because I like to see it to monitor my setup while learning), launch IL-2. This seems to usually work, but sometimes the game launches and GPU is extremely overloaded (20ms GPU frame render, 24GB VRAM maxed out, reprojection all over the place, CPU is normal) even in IL-2 menus, for no apparent reason. I have to quit the game, reboot, start again, and then it usually works, seeing comfortable 90fps, GPU render around 7ms, CPU as well. My only guess is that WMR Home or SteamHome are in the background consuming resources?

 

How do I re-launch the game?

After some play time, If I exit the game, and immediately try to launch it again (e.g. because I'm changing IL-2 graphics settings that require reboot), I can hear the game in the speakers, I see it on my monitor, but G2 is showing WMR House. I can't find a way to switch to the game that's obviously running. How do I exit the WMR House and enter the game that's running? I see SteamVR Home icon inside of WMR House, but when I click to launch it nothing happens, but on the desktop, not G2, I get a message - failed to update SteamVR, app already running. It seems that the only time I can launch SteamVR Home from WMR House is right after fresh reboot and without manually launching Steam VR first.

 

Is there a way to configure SteamVR outside of G2 (via regular Windows desktop). When SteamVR is running I don't see it on my desktop to configure it, I have to use my G2 to enter Steam Home and go from there into configuration. Any way to change settings outside of G2?

 

Is there a way to reposition the IL-2 game menus/hangar? Sometimes it's too close or too far or too much to the side, etc. How can I position it the way I want?

 

I find it difficult to aim with the gun sight reticle. It seems little bit blurry or unevenly illuminated. In 2D it's very clear. The cockpit is otherwise amazingly clear and so is the outside. Is it perhaps simulating how real gun sights looked like in real life? I do have mild prescription glasses for shortsightedness, I haven't tried to use them with the G2 out of fear of scratching the lenses. Maybe I need to fly with glasses?

 

Pressing 5 on the number pad will re center the hangar menu. f10 to reposition pilot head in cockpit, or 5 on the number pad to re centre. Best to do that when the game is not paused.

I’d also recommend looking at open XR and open composite as an alternative to SteamVR, plus VREM for graphics sharpening in the cockpit. 
the key with VR is to get the sim running smoothly, visually. Motion reprojection will help. Don’t go blindly chasing those extra few frames per second, it’s a fool’s errand. Once achieve a smooth flying experience with a level of graphical detail that’s acceptable to you turn off the FPS counter and enjoy. 

Edited January 6, 2023 by Paul_RSXK