Help with starting in VR with Pimax Crystal

[olekblah]

I can't get the game started in VR using PimaxXR. Launching the game with VR enabled via the launcher just launches it in 2D. Using an imported game via Pimax doesn't launch anything.

 

I can only launch it via SteamVR, but would strongly prefer to use PimaxXR and have SteamVR uninstalled. Can someone help me out?

[Drum]

Hello, olekblah.  Put this attached zipped file (openvr_api.dll) into your IL-2 directory so XR works, it replaces the original with an XR version: Steam\steamapps\common\IL-2 Sturmovik Battle of Stalingrad\bin\game

openvr_api.zip

[olekblah]

On 3/20/2025 at 4:45 AM, Drum said:

Hello, olekblah.  Put this attached zipped file (openvr_api.dll) into your IL-2 directory so XR works, it replaces the original with an XR version: Steam\steamapps\common\IL-2 Sturmovik Battle of Stalingrad\bin\game

openvr_api.zip 623.94 kB · 5 downloads

Thanks, it seems to work now!

[olekblah]

On 3/20/2025 at 4:45 AM, Drum said:

Hello, olekblah.  Put this attached zipped file (openvr_api.dll) into your IL-2 directory so XR works, it replaces the original with an XR version: Steam\steamapps\common\IL-2 Sturmovik Battle of Stalingrad\bin\game

openvr_api.zip 623.94 kB · 8 downloads

I've noticed some annoying VR bugs in IL2.

 

-image in one of the eyes seems to flash occasionally, this is very annoying

-grass is sometimes rendered in one eye only, which produces a bizarre effect

 

This doesn't happen in the other sim or any other VR usage for me, just in IL2. Any ideas on what it could be?

 

[Drum]

I haven't experienced that myself, but I would recommend you add all the keypad "5" configuration settings within the game to the same key you're using to center your head, and make sure your HMD is centered before you load into the game as well.

Edited March 29 by Drum

[firdimigdi]

14 hours ago, olekblah said:

I've noticed some annoying VR bugs in IL2.

 

-image in one of the eyes seems to flash occasionally, this is very annoying

-grass is sometimes rendered in one eye only, which produces a bizarre effect

 

This doesn't happen in the other sim or any other VR usage for me, just in IL2. Any ideas on what it could be?

 

 

Apart from what Drum said also make sure to unmap the head movement by mouse in the various sections (or make sure all centering bindings are set to the same button/key); that can affect VR view as it wrongly thinks the player camera is looking at a different direction and the render culling kicks in.

 

Edited March 29 by firdimigdi

[olekblah]

On 3/29/2025 at 11:20 AM, firdimigdi said:

 

Apart from what Drum said also make sure to unmap the head movement by mouse in the various sections (or make sure all centering bindings are set to the same button/key); that can affect VR view as it wrongly thinks the player camera is looking at a different direction and the render culling kicks in.

 

Hm, these didn't help.

[[CPT]Crunch]

What graphics setting in game are you using?  Ultra, balanced, basic?  Try switching between them, that sometimes resets things.

[olekblah]

On 3/31/2025 at 12:29 PM, [CPT]Crunch said:

What graphics setting in game are you using?  Ultra, balanced, basic?  Try switching between them, that sometimes resets things.

I tried setting it to ultra and restarting. It doesn't completely eliminate the issue, but I think it was a bit better in the latest flight? I will try to play with it. Which settings are problematic btw?

[olekblah]

It seems to be something outside of IL2, I started seeing the same thing in other sims. It's just that it started happening when I started using IL2.

[Drum]

You best open a ticket with Pimax and let them know your situation then, it sounds like a warranty issue.

[olekblah]

On 4/14/2025 at 12:21 AM, Drum said:

You best open a ticket with Pimax and let them know your situation then, it sounds like a warranty issue.

I figured something out. The issue is in OpenXR. Switching back to SteamVR fixes the image flickering completely.

 

Perhaps I was imagining seeing this in other games, or something else was going on with my tracking. But I have tested this by starting IL2 a couple of times back to back in each mode, and using OpenXR is the problem.

 

Is it possible I need a different openxr.api file or something? It is still quite annoying to have to switch to SteamVR for IL2.

[Drum]

Try this link for a different openvr_api.dll file, and see if that helps.  openvr_api.dll : Free .DLL Download

Edited May 2 by Drum

[olekblah]

2 hours ago, Drum said:

Try this link for a different openvr_api.dll file, and see if that helps.  openvr_api.dll : Free .DLL Download

I've figured out what was happening. It's an openVR issue. I was also seeing it in the other sim recently, because I was using a program to switch to and from SteamVR. But it was switching me between openVR and steamVR. OpenVR causes the flashing image issue in all games. What I need to use instead is PimaxXR, which works well. Or just switch to steamVR for IL2, but ideally I would make IL2 work with PimaxXR specifically. I will try to find a way to do it, but if anyone here knows how...

Edited May 3 by olekblah

[TCW_Brzi_Joe]

You need to update pimax play to avoid flickering in openvr. I did that 1-2 months ago when solution was just presented in pimax play beta, so I am not sure is that in regular pimax play yet. try beta and back,  you will know then.

Edited May 3 by TCW_Brzi_Joe

[olekblah]

Yeah, updating to beta did it. I was able to start IL2 with Pimax's api and the flashing effect is gone.

 

I still see bad grass culling in one eye but that's minor in comparison.