Virtual Reality: Office Layout Solutions

Office Layout Solutions

The painstaking task of rearranging an office or a production plant only to realize that the layout wasn’t what you expected is something that happens way too often. That process is changing as technology advances. Now, companies are noticing the benefits of using virtual reality beforehand to place all the items before the actual move.

Reasons to Use Virtual Reality First

Previously seen mainly in the gaming industry, virtual reality is spreading to a more useful tool in a wide variety of industries. This being said, no one likes to do the same task twice. Why not take the virtual step to ensure complete satisfaction before moving things around?

Ultimately, viewing something like an office layout with virtual reality helps save time and limit frustration. Depending on which software is being used, there is the ability to measure item locations, move items around, take in-app screenshots, and markup items while in virtual reality. All these items combined allows everyone involved to add their opinions on what they think a layout should look like.

Safety

Safety is the main concern for many companies whether it’s in the day-to-day life or during something like a major move. In instances like a plant floor layout, there is a lot of room for error when there are multiple people and maybe a forklift moving a piece of machinery only to realize it all needs to be done again since the machine doesn’t fit in the desired location. It may not be as severe with something like an office layout, but there’s still potential for error and injuries. Virtual reality solves the issue when it comes to ensuring correct item locations before the move begins, and it’s completely safe! All that’s needed is a single person and with one hand, items can be moved over and over without the worry of injuries.

Figure 1: Reorganizing the Office

Case Study

We at Perception Engineering have been able to use this technology to aid us in redesigning our own office layout! We created many different versions, 17 to be exact, to show us potential outcomes with items placed in a variety of locations.

Figure 2: Different Configured Office Layouts

Figure 3 demonstrates the current layout of items at our office. Our company is growing often so we were faced with the problem of fitting more people and more equipment in the office.

Figure 3: Current Office Layout

Luckily, through virtual reality, we were able to find the optimal set-up that satisfied both overall efficiencies and giving everyone enough space to be comfortable. The process was very smooth and easy since we had an overhead layout view after moving items around while in VR to get the best setup.

Figure 4: New Office Layout

Conclusion

Enough can’t be said when it comes to the benefits of using virtual reality. This is only one instance where it’s a far superior solution to a current issue. The ability to move items safely and accurately is a big topic when it comes to office and production plant layouts. Some people may be skeptical at first, but all that can really be said is try it! Who knows, more and more benefits can be realized as soon as the headset is worn.

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3D Printing at Perception Engineering

If you have an idea for a product and possibly even the design ready to go, but you want to be able to have a better idea of what it may look like when it is manufactured, we have the solutions for you. One of those solutions is 3D printed prototyping.

Here at Perception Engineering, with both in-house capabilities and local partnerships, we can bring your prototype to life. This can often be done with one of the many forms of 3D printing. With our in-depth knowledge of printing processes, we can choose the best method for any project. In-house, we can carry out appropriate projects with FDM, otherwise known as Fused Deposition Modeling, which is the technique likely to come to mind when people hear 3D printing. This is where a thin layer of plastic is extruded out in layers in the shape of one’s product. An example of this product can be seen below.

This can provide a great perspective into what your finished product will approximately look like when manufactured. Following are some samples of what a finished print may look like.

If your product has features that fall outside of our in-house abilities, such as having extremely fine geometry and details, or you desire to have a production quality part with strong mechanical properties not done with FDM, we have 3D printing partners which we can work with to make sure the job is done right. We also have the knowledge to know what process will get the best results for any projects. To learn more about our in-house processes and some of the other commonly used processes that we have available to us through our partnerships, you can visit the 3D Printing page.

Figure 1: Example 3D Printed Parts

That’s all for now! Keep us in mind for any of your current or future 3D printing prototyping needs. Every project has individual needs, and we can work with you to fit those needs. If you like the content or have questions, sign up for our email list to stay in the loop for solutions or weekly content.

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Virtual Reality: Headset Comparision

Virtual Reality Headset Comparison for Engineering Applications

With all of the different headset options currently out and many more upgrades on the way, a single location for some of the more popular virtual reality headsets can be very useful. This blog will hopefully serve many as the go-to location for comparing these headsets!

Headsets Being Compared

There is a wide variety of headsets currently being used, ones from $15 dollars made of cardboard to higher end ones that can cost up to $9000 dollars. For this blog, we will be comparing 5 different headsets. The headsets we will be comparing are the HTC Vive, HTC Vive Pro, Oculus Rift, Oculus Go (32GB), and the Google Cardboard. For each, we will look at some advantages to using each in engineering applications and some disadvantages to each.

Table 1: Headset Comparison Chart

HTC Vive

First, we’ll start with the main headset we have been using at Perception Engineering which is the HTC Vive. For the price and how simple the controllers are, this headset set is one of the better ones. With little to no experience, users can become experts with the controllers after running through the set-up process. In an engineering sense, the HTC Vive is great and one of the better headsets from the list. Many software recommends using the Vive because of its capabilities. All in all, it’s a great headset with a good price point for those getting started with virtual reality.

Figure 2: HTC Vive Headset

HTC Vive Pro

Next is the HTC Vive Pro which is similar to the basic HTC Vive, but it has some extra added benefits. One obvious change from the previous version is it’s upgraded headset design. This features built-in headphones and different strap methods so that wearing the headset for extended periods of time doesn’t cause pain. It also has a better resolution per eye giving the user a clearer view of whatever is being viewed. The only complaint so far with this headset is the price. The $799 headset does not include controllers or the base stations, so this is strictly for the headset itself. However, previous controllers and base stations from the original HTC Vive will work. Image by https://www.vive.com/us/product/vive-pro/

Figure 3: HTC Vive Pro Headset

Oculus Rift

For the price and specs of the Oculus Rift, it is up near the top as one of the better headsets to use. It’s a little cheaper than the HTC Vive but is identical as far as specs go. The controllers may look a little more complex than the HTC Vive controllers, but the Oculus Rift controllers are more comfortable as they are more ergonomically designed. This may not seem like an issue, but in extended uses, the more comfortable the better. One disadvantage with the Oculus Rift is the sensor tracking. For something like a 360-degree experience, a third tracker will need to be purchased. This can also be an advantage depending on the application. For bringing this technology to trade-shows, there isn’t the worries about needing an excessive amount of room since both trackers will be placed side-by-side facing the user. Image by https://www.oculus.com/rift/

Figure 4: Oculus Rift Headset

Oculus Go (32GB)

With a cleaner look and a more comfortable feel than that of the Oculus Rift, the Oculus Go is a great virtual reality headset for those just starting out with VR. This is another good headset for trade-shows as it is both wireless and only uses one controller. This is great for those who may not be up to date with the latest technology since there are very few buttons. There is a limit to what can be done with this headset. There is no room setup style so sitting down is the only option for viewing things virtually. There is still 360-degree viewing since the headset can track it all without the use of the tracking stations needed with the Oculus Rift and HTC Vive. At one of the lower prices of these headsets being compared, the Oculus Go should be highly considered by any company looking to implement virtual reality. Image by https://www.oculus.com/go/

Figure 5: Oculus Go Headset

Google Cardboard

The Google Cardboard has been added to this list even though it’s not really virtual reality, but rather it’s a 360-degree viewing experience. This doesn’t mean that it’s not useful for certain engineering applications. For it is the lowest cost and wireless, it’s very useful for viewing something like CAD files in a virtual environment right on a smartphone. Being that it’s on a smartphone, there is a limit to how large and detailed some items can be. This may be tricky for certain applications or companies where detail is very important. 360-degree photos for quickly showing someone is where the Google Cardboard really stands out from the rest. It’s very quick to take a 360-degree photo, load it on a smartphone, and then view it in the headset. This is ideal in a setting where many individuals will be looking at the same photo because they won’t be able to interact with items as in-depth as they could with one of the other headsets. The biggest takeaway here is that the Google Cardboard is quick, lower cost, and easy to use.

Figure 6: D-Scope Google Cardboard 360-Degree Viewer

Conclusion

In the end, it’s all up to company specifics as to which headset to go with. At Perception Engineering, we use the HTC Vive, but there wouldn’t have been any issues if we would have gone with the Oculus Rift for instance based strictly on specs of the headsets. The HTC Vive Pro is just too early to purchase. Even with us having the earlier version and having both the controllers and base stations work with it, it’s better to wait until the full HTC Vive Pro package can be bought in one bundle. For quickly showing files such as a 360-degree photo of a product that’s trying to be sold,

for instance, the Google Cardboard and Oculus Go are great options. Again, the best approach is to check the company’s overall goals and pick the most applicable headset!

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Why Use Virtual Reality

Why Use VR

Known mainly in the gaming world, virtual reality is making itself more and more noticeable and useful in other applications. One application we’ve been using virtual reality for is its usefulness in the engineering world. This blog will describe some reasons to use virtual reality!

What is Virtual Reality?

Before describing why use virtual reality, we will touch on what it is exactly. Basically, it’s a 3D computer generated image that allows the user, with the help of some extra viewing equipment, the ability to interact in a more personal manner with the generated creation. This can be things such as getting a true 1:1 scale compared to the user or actually grabbing items and interacting with them.

Figure 1: Accurate Model Scale

Benefits to Using VR

At first glance, virtual reality may just seem like a gimmick and that it’s not something that should be associated with things such as engineering or architectural work. However, this is not the case as there are many things that can be done! The best part is that technology is changing every day and the advancements are only making the case to use it stronger.

One benefit being it helps to save both time and money on designs. It prevents going from the CAD phase to the prototyping phase only to realize that it didn’t come out as intended and end up with wasted money on the design. Virtual reality helps to bridge the gap between these two phases by allowing the user to get the 1:1 scale, see how components sit in the assembly, and ensure that the end design is ready to be manufactured.

Figure 2: Bridge Between CAD and Prototype

With the time in mind, virtual reality aids with communicating clear design solutions to projects. While looking at a model on a screen or on a drawing, people might see different things or not even understand what they may be looking at. Virtual reality gives everyone the same exact view. In some instances, with certain softwares, models can be marked up in a way that will aid in adjustments further down the design process.

Figure 3: Markup in Models

Another benefit comes with plant floor layouts and ensuring safety before going in and moving equipment. Rather than having to tie three people up to move equipment around only to realize that the selected location won’t work, it’s possible to have just one person using only one hand to move equipment around with virtual reality. We at Perception Engineering used this capability to help with deciding the layout of the office. We were able to grab each piece of furniture like desks and chairs and place them in a way that would satisfy both our needs and increase work efficiency.

Figure 4: Office Layout

Conclusion

Advancements in technology with virtual reality are changing every day. It’s a process many people are not even aware of or know little about. There is no limit to what can be done virtually. Many of the tasks done currently will be completely different whether it’s something with designing components, quoting, or even meetings. Virtual reality is aiding in connecting people around the world for a more connected future.

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Prototyping: Laser Cutter

Laser Cutter

One of the in-house machines that Perception Engineering uses to service its customers is a CO2 laser cutter. With this laser cutter, Perception Engineering provides its customers with accurately cut parts. CO2 lasers have been around since the mid-sixties and to this day are still some of the most reliable, powerful, and accurate lasers used. This blog will talk about some of the lasers features and how it can be used.

Laser specs

The KH-7050 is an electrically powered CO2 Laser cutter. With this 60-Watt laser, materials such as thin woods, cardboard, acrylic, cloth, and plastics can be cut. The Laser is also powerful enough to engrave images, text, or anything else desired by the customer on the same or similar materials. Some variations of this laser can also come with a rotary head or chuck that allows the laser to etch on curved surfaces such as bottles or glasses. Here at Perception Engineering, a material we often cut into is quarter inch thick acrylic. The CO2 laser effortlessly cuts through the acrylic leaving a smooth edge all the way around. Etching text onto acrylic is another easy feat for the laser. The text is able to be etched at all sizes, coming out clearly and accurately. Some example laser cut products made here at PE are shown below in Figure 2.

Figure 2: Laser cut/etched products

When Would This Be Used?

Now you might ask, what kinds of jobs can a laser cutter like this take on? Laser cutters, such as this one, can be used on a daily basis doing all kinds of work! Perception Engineering has used its laser for both large and small scale cutting jobs. Customers come to Perception Engineering by cutting jobs that involve single prototype parts, personal projects, and large quantity production. The laser is able to cut out single parts very quickly or programmed to run for multiple hours cutting out very intricate parts or large part loads. The time it takes to run a job does depend on material type and thickness. The thicker or harder the material, the longer it takes to cut. However, with the lasers ability to adjust the bed height up and down, the perfect laser distance can be homed in for the best results. And any job can be trained to run quickly without sacrificing the quality of the parts.

Final Thoughts

A CO2 laser is a great tool to have for both business and personal use. The list of possible projects that could be completed with this type of laser is too long to put down. With its wide range of maneuverability, power, and speed, its no wonder why this type of laser has been around for so long. A CNC laser is a must-have tool in most shops, and the cost-friendly price makes it easily affordable and the power of the CO2 laser gives it plenty of reliability.

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Virtual Reality at Perception Engineering

This blog will be focusing on virtual reality in Perception Engineering including some benefits and steps we take to view models. It will also act as a summary of the video associated with this blog.

Benefits

There are many benefits to using virtual reality, but for this blog, we will be mainly focusing on two specific areas: saves time and money on designs and creates a more personal experience.

On the aspect of saving time and money on designs, virtual reality helps to eliminate design questions and reassure the user that components are ready to be manufactured. A couple of design questions that may appear are things such as if there’s enough clearance in a specific area, if a component needs to be updated to work in the assembly, or if a component needs to be completely removed.

Another benefit with virtual reality is that it helps create a more personal experience with models. Not only will it give the user a 1:1 scale, but it will also give the user a better view into the end product without spending the money on a prototype. It also allows for assembly deconstruction, depending on the software being used, which is helpful to gain a full understanding as to how it will all come together.

Conclusion

Perception Engineering is working on both implementing virtual reality into their workflow as well as informing other companies of this technology. They have seen the benefits of virtual reality first hand would like to continue taking the time to research the latest and greatest technology and inform their readers in hopes that they might get involved!

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Virtual Reality: Softwares

Virtual Reality Softwares

With virtual reality technology is growing and growing, there are a wide variety of softwares that can suit a company’s specific needs. Finding the right one for the company is all up to trying different softwares to find that exact fit! At Perception Engineering, we’ve been actively testing different softwares and this blog will cover some that we’ve been using.

Prospect

Although Prospect is mainly used in building industries, we have been able to test some of our large assemblies and have faced no issues. This software has been created by the IrisVR company. It has many useful features and some overall cool things you can do to manipulate imported models. There are many different pricing options starting with the Basic version for $50 per user/month up to $350 per workstation/month. With each tier, more options and functions are unlocked.

Figure 1: Prospect Interface

A few features we’ve tested have been their measuring tool, the markup tool, and the ability to section models. The measuring tool is easy to use, and it gives the distance from one surface to the next in a single button click.

Figure 2: Measuring in Prospect

With the markup tool, the user can draw directly on components to be reviewed later. They also have a camera tool to capture the markups!

Figure 3: Markup with Prospect

The last tool in this blog that we’ve enjoyed using is the live sectioning option. Any point in the model can be sectioned by just moving the controller over the area.

Figure 4: Sectioning with Prospect

We haven’t had any issues while using this software. Perception Engineering uses SolidWorks to create components and the only easy file format we can produce to load in Prospect is a .obj or .fbx file. This adds a couple of steps, but this most likely isn’t an issue for companies in the building industry that use design software like Revit or SketchUp.

For more information, visit their website: https://irisvr.com/prospect

Unreal Engine 4

Known mainly for its work in the gaming industry; Unreal Engine 4 has been a software we have been spending some time with viewing models. The company responsible for this software is Epic Games. As previously mentioned, they’re mainly known for their work in the gaming industry, but they have been making noise in the engineering world. This is a free software to download and use, but it does require an account!

One thing using this software that we liked was the ability to add simulate physics to components. Other software we’ve used, once you let go of an item, it floats in space and stays in the exact position. With Unreal Engine 4, when an item is released, it will simulate what would happen if it was held and released in the real world.

Figure 5: Physics in Unreal Engine 4

One issue that we’ve run into while using this software is the amount of work and time it takes between starting the project and the end goal as far as being able to take assemblies apart. With time, this process could be sped up, but it can be tricky starting out.

For more information, visit their website: https://www.unrealengine.com/en-US/blog

Demo3DVR for SolidWorks

Demo3DVR is the main software we’ve been using at Perception Engineering. The company who produces this software, Emulate3D, is a certified solution partner with SolidWorks. Overall, we have been very satisfied with the capabilities of the program, the speed and helpfulness of their customer support, and changes they’ve been making with the software. One aspect we like specifically about this software is its integration with SolidWorks. it is an add-in to SolidWorks so loading files into virtual reality is a click away. Per license, Demo3DVR for SolidWorks is a one-time fee of $995.

Figure 6: Emulate3D Logo

Once in the software, there is a wide variety of things the user can do with the software. One item is being able to take assemblies apart piece by piece to see all the components that make it up. This has been useful for checking for interferences, ensuring correct component sizes, and checking for correct component locations.

Figure 7: Warehouse Machine Clearance

They also have a mobile app for viewing files either with a mobile headset, Google Cardboard, etc., or models can be viewed and spun around by hand. This can also be viewed on tablets and downloaded from either the Google Play Store or the iOS App Store. It’s a free app that doesn’t require an account to view files.

For more information, visit their website: https://www.demo3d.com/demo3dvr-solidworks/

Conclusion

In conclusion, there are many virtual reality softwares in the world today. It’s all about finding which one(s) will fit the companies needs and meet their requirements. It may be a trial and error process at first, but with time the most fitting software will be found based on the needs of the company!

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Virtual Reality: Saving and Importing VR Models

Things to look for in CAD Models

Whether it’s modeling custom components or using already created models, there are certain things that should be looked into before setting up the files for virtual reality. There is a want for these almost photo-realistic models that can be taken apart piece by piece, but depending on the file, that may not be entirely possible. Depending on the software being used, some may not be able to load items completely that contain im.ported bodies or surfaces. There will need to be some testing done with the software being used to see what limitations there are.

Designing with VR in Mind

There are a lot of little factors that come up when designing components to be viewed in virtual reality. One major thing to pay attention to is the overall file size. Having a total file size that is too large may lead to a lot of lag issues and stuttering when looking at the model. One way to help keep this down is to look into defeaturing a lot of the components. These item features may be great for things like showing customers the attention to detail or showing final renders that look near realistic, but for virtual reality, these items can make it almost impossible to view without having issues. A couple of components that come to mind are components that having threading. Having a screw for example that has the threads cut into the part compared to a screw that just has the appearance of threads will vary greatly in file sizes. Here is a screw with threads cut into the part and its current file size is 7,324 KB. Digging a little deeper we can see the highest quality that it takes a little over 302,000 triangles to create this part.

Figure 1: Screw with Threads

When the screw is defeatured, there is a huge drop in both overall file size and the number of triangles needed to create it. The file size is now 281 KB and only needs around 13,000 triangles. This is a massive file saver for large assemblies that could have hundreds of screws. There are ways around having to remove the appearance of threads completely while saving the file size and that’s done by adding the thread cosmetic appearance. This is accomplished by locating the appearance tab and grabbing and applying the thread to the face that normally has them. You can adjust this appearance to give it either a finer look or a more coarse look.

Figure 2: Screw without Threads

Tips and Tricks

Similar to the designing with VR in mind section, there are a lot of little things that can be done to an overall model to give it a great look for viewing in virtual reality. One thing is playing with appearances. This is more applicable for virtual reality software that is used with SolidWorks models. SolidWorks provides a wide variety of appearances that can help create stunning models without having to compromise on total file size. They have items from different styles of wood, metal finishes, glass, and miscellaneous items like grass and brick. These are both quick and easy to use that will change the components immensely giving them a nice look while in the virtual world.

Figure 3: Appearance Tab

Another tip is to remove items that may not be essential to get the overall idea of what the goal of the assembly is. Things like nuts and bolts are nice to have and view in a large assembly, but these are not necessarily needed to get a good picture of the intention of the model being viewed. One recommendation is when the assembly is at a good point with little to no more changes that need to be made is to save off a copy, remove components that aren’t essential, and apply more of the appearances to this assembly. This way helps to eliminate the possibility of moving or deleting items that may need to be seen in the other assembly.

Saving in Different Formats

Currently, at Perception Engineering, the software we are using for sending our models into the virtual reality world is DEMO3DVR from the Emulate3D group. Saving these file types is a very easy process because when the software is downloaded, it will automatically add the file extension in the save as type option. This file extension is *.raw3d.

Figure 4: Saving in the Demo3DVR Format

There are two major things that can be done with these files. One is it can now be sent to various people who have this same software or app and they will be able to view the file with virtual reality without access to the part files. There is also a Demo3D app in the Microsoft Store. This will allow for viewing files saved in the *.raw3d format without needing a SolidWorks license. This will help prevent the possibility of files being corrupted or updated incorrectly without the original creator making the changes and resaving them off to be viewed again. The second things that *.raw3d files can do are be viewed on a smartphone! These file types can be opened in the Demo3D mobile app to view in a device like the Google Cardboard or other similar VR viewers. This is a free viewer that can be downloaded in either the IOS App Store or Google Play Store.

Figure 5: Demo3D App

That’s all for now! Please subscribe to our E-mail list to stay up to date with the latest blog postings on Virtual Reality.

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Virtual Reality: How to Spec a VR Computer

Technology is growing and changing every day in the engineering world. To help keep up with these trends on the virtual reality side of things, having the right equipment is essential. This blog will go through some steps and some things to look out for when it comes to a virtual reality capable computer.

Introduction

With all the computer and laptop options, a single area listing minimum specs to run virtual reality is useful. This blog will hopefully help eliminate some of this confusion and help to test your computer to see that it’s ready to run the virtual reality. We will also show where to find the current specs for the laptop or desktop is used. Last will be some programs that can be downloaded and used to test your system for virtual reality and some computer recommendations based on experience and applications we have used at Perception Engineering.

Recommended Specs

For this blog, we will mainly be comparing the recommended specs for the HTC Vive, HTC Vive Pro, and the Oculus Rift. Both have similar recommended computer specs with some variation. There is some fluctuation in some areas and different hardware/software that can be used and still run virtual reality perfectly fine. These specs are taken from the headset manufacturers’ websites.

Figure 1: Recommended Specs

Below will be the listed links to these websites. Many of these websites will also include a separate list of the minimum requirements and some replacements to their recommended lists. These specs are provided to aid in providing the most optimal performance without going overkill and searching for the top-of-the-line components that are potentially unnecessary for the given application.

HTC Vive and HTC Vive Pro – https://www.vive.com/us/ready/
Oculus Rift – https://www.oculus.com/rift/#oui-csl-rift-games=mages-tale (3/4 down the page)

How to Identify Current Computer Specs

Now that the information on what is recommended has been provided, how can the current computer be used to find it’s specs? There are a couple of different ways to find this information, but for this blog, we will stick to one. First, for the USB and video output, the best way to find this information is to locate the manufacture website where they’ll have this laid out. If the computer is custom built, wherever the component was bought from will have all the necessary information either on the website or on the box it came in. The processor, graphics, memory, and operating system can be located using the computers search option. The first thing to do is to utilize the

search option and search ‘Run’.

Figure 2: Searching Run

Once that app has been selected, the app will open, and it will prompt for information to be inputted. This will search for the specific information that has been entered and open the dialog box used to find the computer specs. Enter in ‘dxdiag’ and select OK.

Figure 3: DxDiag Search

The computer will now open the DirectX Diagnostic Tool and have all the information, except the USB and video output options, displayed in the window. Some of the information, such as the graphics card, will be listed on other pages. Comparing specs to the recommended specs supplied above can now be achieved and the ability to decide whether to upgrade individual components or computers as a whole can be decided.

Figure 4: Computer Specs

Software Testing

With all the computer specs lining up with the recommended specs from the company to the respective headset, there are some more tests that can be done to help ensure optimal performance and see areas that may need improvement. These tests are done through Steam. For those who may not know, Steam is an entertainment platform that is leading the way with virtual reality information, tests, and games. For our application, Steam has been essential for viewing CAD files in SolidWorks. Download, install and make a Steam account to be able to use this platform for testing the computer’s capability with virtual reality. Once all this is completed, the next step is to search the store and type ‘SteamVR Performance Test’. This is a free performance test provided by the company Valve. Download this test and run it.

Figure 5: SteamVR Performance Test

The software will run for a couple of minutes doing multiple tests including running some higher quality graphics while it monitors the number of frames tested, percentage of frames that drop below 90 fps, and the average quality. In the system specs area, it will highlight the OS, GPU, or CPU green, red, or yellow. Green being ready for virtual reality, yellow for it is capable, but it could be upgraded, or red for it not being ready. At the bottom of the results window, there is the option to show details and it will provide information from the test.

Figure 6: SteamVR Performance Test Results

Virtual Reality at Perception Engineering

Here at Perception Engineering, we have been implementing virtual reality with some of our CAD designs and experimenting first hand some of the benefits of this technology. We have run our virtual reality software on two different laptops and haven’t faced too many issues. The main issue has been with the size of some of the CAD files we have tested. With some upgraded components to the computers, these issues will be eliminated. The previous laptop we had been using for virtual reality was an MSI GT72 Dominator Pro. This laptop has been able to handle what has been required from our virtual reality needs. Our current laptop that we’ve switched to is an Eluktronics P650 laptop. This has been able to keep up with some of our larger files with no issues graphically with very limited to no lag problems with certain files.

Figure 7: Current VR Laptops at Perception Engineering

That’s all for now! If you like the content or have questions, signup for our email list to stay in the loop for solutions or weekly content.

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Virtual Reality: HTC Vive Setup Through SteamVR

HTC Vive Setup Through SteamVR

In this blog, we will be going through the steps to get the HTC Vive ready for use with a walkthrough of SteamVR. We will also hit some requirements on the recommended computer side of things and some issues during the setup and how to identify the problem.

Virtual Reality Setup

Setting up virtual reality for a PC can be a quick and easy process if done correctly. For this guide, we will be walking through setting up the HTC Vive. We will be touching on some items that are required before the setup process can begin, the actual process through Steam, and some issues that can occur and how to correct them.

Required Items

Apart from the VR headset itself, there are a couple of items that are needed in order to jump into the virtual world. The biggest of them all is a computer that can meet the minimum requirements set in place by the headset companies. Many of these specs will be listed on their websites. Below, I will list the recommended computer specs to run the HTC Vive.

*Processor: Intel Core i5-4590 or AMD FX 8350, equivalent or better

*Graphics: NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1060 or AMD Radeon RX 480, equivalent or better

*Memory: 4 GB RAM or more

*Video Output: 1x HDMI .14 port, or Display Port 1.2 or newer

*USB: 1x USB 2.0 port or newer

*Operating System: Windows 7 SP1, Windows 8.1 or later or Windows 10

Figure 1: Unboxed HTC Vive Set

Hitting these recommended computer specs is a large portion of having the virtual reality headset run properly and ensuring good performance. This can be a little costly, from around ~$700 to ~$4,150 for prebuilt PCs, but it is worth it if you want an optimal VR experience.

Another item required is space! This is something that can be overlooked and ignored but can make all the difference. There is always the potential of bumping or running into objects around the house or office. This can lead to tripping or damaging house or office items which is never a good thing! The controllers are fairly durable, but after extended bumping and hitting of things, they may become damaged and potentially fail to work.

Setting up Through Steam

Steam is one of the only ways to allow the computer to recognize and run an HTC Vive headset. This software is very well known as a gaming platform but has in the past couple years become the go-to service for anything VR. Before setting up through Steam, the base station should be placed in order to track both the headset and controllers. It is recommended that they’re mounted above the user’s head and placed in opposite corners of the area being used while being no further than 16.4 feet apart. Next is going through Steam VR. This setup process is very well done, easy to follow, and descriptive to ensure no issues. When you first plug in your HTC Vive, the SteamVR setup will automatically start up. The first option that comes up is whether the user would like to setup for room scale or standing room

Figure 2: Welcome to Room Setup!

only. Room scale allows for the user to walk around in a selected space while standing only is used if there isn’t much area to use VR or if the user would like to sit. For this blog, we will be using room scale. Next, space needs to be created to minimize the potential of tripping and bumping into things. From there, the controllers will need to be turned on and placed with the headset in an area that can be seen by both tracking stations.

Figure 3: Establishing Tracking

Once the controllers can be seen by both base stations, the next step is to grab a controller, stand in the middle of the play area, and point the controller at the computer monitor while holding down the trigger on the back.

Figure 4: Locating your Monitor

The next step is the easiest step of all: locating the floor by placing both controllers on the ground and selecting the calibrate floor option in SteamVR.

Figure 5: Locating the Floor

The final step in the setup process is measuring the space of the area being used while in VR. Luckily, there are no worries about having to grab a tape measure and inputting numbers into the computer. SteamVR allows the user to use a controller to walk around the play area and the software will track the path and create a real-time image of what has been tracked! One potential issue here is not mapping out enough play area. The software will give an error to go back through and remeasure until the appropriate amount of space has been created.

Figure 6: Trace your Space

The setup process is now complete! The HTC Vive is ready to be used for whatever application the user wishes. Now anytime the HTC Vive is disconnected, or the computer is turned off, SteamVR will remember and retain all of the information from the initial setup process. So, for most applications, it is just plugged and play to enter the virtual world!

Figure 7: Setup Complete

Troubleshooting

With the setup process all laid out, there are some potential issues that may arise. One issue, for example, is during the measuring out of the play area. If enough area isn’t mapped out, the software will give an error of a red play area and prompt the user to go back through and remeasure until the appropriate amount of space has been created. If enough area can’t be created, it is recommended to start over and select the standing only option.

Figure 8: Error Mapping User Area

Another potential issue is during the establish tracking section. You will not be able to progress to the next section if either the headset or controllers are not highlighted green in the Steam window. There may be a couple reasons why these items aren’t green. One reason may be because the controllers are not turned on. This is fixed by turning on the controllers or charging them if they’re dead and doing the set-up process at a different time. Another reason for this could be the base stations can’t see each other and therefore can’t track the headset or controllers. This can be fixed by adjusting the base stations to see each other and see the play area.

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