Is there any way I can use a keyboard in VR. I mean properly type, not just the odd bind here and there? I’ve lost count of the times when I’ve looked at the Galaxy Map trying to find a particular place and have given up on the notion. Or is there another way that doesn’t involve typing in a search?
Keyboard searches in VR?
- Thread starter Bilbosmeggins
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Well yes... I have my keyboard on my lap.
Ah, I think you misunderstand me…. I already have a HOTAS mapped, plus VoiceAttack. It’s just that sometimes I need to search the Galaxy Map for a particular system, and cannot do so without coming out of VR. Didn’t know if there was a “Virtual Keyboard” mod or something. Even better, if VoiceAttack could be persuaded to type on my behalf.
I can touch type, but the G2 also has an external camera. I only use the external camera by accident.The old, peep down the nose trick, eh?
I use the quest 2 with virtual desktop and can switch into a 2d view with a keyboard inside the headset. Immersion breaking but practical.
iirc, HCS Voice Packs for Voice Attack have a dictation mode. I either touch type (keyboard sits between my joystick and throttle), or just lately I move my headset up and copy paste; usually what I want to put into the galaxy map is something I've copied from a 3rd party website anyway. When I was using Virtual Desktop I switched to 2D view like HappyMoonMonkey, but now I'm using usb link I find doing the same with Oculus Home destroys performance so resorted to lifting the headset or touch typing.
Either that, or...The old, peep down the nose trick, eh?
I have a small wireless keyboard mounted between my sticks (I have everything mounted on a small sawhorse I can place over my lap, my VR pilot's chair is an IKEA Poäng in the middle of my room, I don't play at my desk) and touch type. For the G2: If you need to see the keyboard, press the windows key and select "torch", which enables a passthrough view.I can touch type, but the G2 also has an external camera. I only use the external camera by accident.
What I also did was mark my WASD, the "5" key, the enter key and the windows key so I can find them blindly under any circumstance. I cut the soft side of adhesive velcro strips to the size of the keys and applied it to them. Together with the small bumps the f and j keys have on every keyboard it should be manageable to get around without seeing it. I still have to do a lot of backspacing, especially if the position of my keyboard has shifted slightly to the side (which happens now and then) but it works.
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As others have mentioned. A small wireless keyboard and basic touch typing. It's actually easier to learn than one might think. Especially when motivated...
Index fingers on F and J (both keys have small protrusions) and off you go. Practice makes perfect.
Index fingers on F and J (both keys have small protrusions) and off you go. Practice makes perfect.
Actually. I’m not too bad at touch typing. I learned many moons ago on a program called Mavis Beacon Teaches Typing, or something like that 
. I kid you not. I really am that old. I’ll just have to adjust the setup, and get the keyboard somewhere close. As it stands, what with the HOTAS, a mini number pad, and VoiceAttack, the keyboard is at arms length.
. I kid you not. I really am that old. I’ll just have to adjust the setup, and get the keyboard somewhere close. As it stands, what with the HOTAS, a mini number pad, and VoiceAttack, the keyboard is at arms length.
If you learned to type on a program then you're not really that oldActually. I’m not too bad at touch typing. I learned many moons ago on a program called Mavis Beacon Teaches Typing, or something like that
If you learned to type on a program then you're not really that old
That largely depends on what age I was when I picked up the program
Drat, I was hoping nobody would spot thatThat largely depends on what age I was when I picked up the program
[edit: I learned to type on an electric typewriter; no doubt there are people here who had to get up at 4am, learn to write on a mechanical typewriter, do a day's work, and then get to bed at 5am
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I made a video years ago about this exact problem. You can use VoiceAttack for speech to text, but Windows 10 has a built in Dictation mode that is superior, can be turned ON/OFF with a key combination that can be mapped to a HOTAS button. Worked ok, but you might need use backspacing a bit ;-) Here is the link:
Thanks for the link. That’s a very clever solution you worked out there. Although I don’t think I would get the use out of it that I require, as it’s mainly place names in the Galaxy map that I need to type in. And with them being places, rather than regular language, it would be a struggle.
Oh, and the Windows interpretation of “Wingmen, on me” was pure, comedy gold. I actually burst out laughing there
Oh, and the Windows interpretation of “Wingmen, on me” was pure, comedy gold. I actually burst out laughing there
Yeah, some hilarious stuff in there. I was amazed how bad VA did - maybe it just doesn't like Kiwi accents @AvonNZOh, and the Windows interpretation of “Wingmen, on me” was pure, comedy gold. I actually burst out laughing there
I should try it just on letters, should be good ?Thanks for the link. That’s a very clever solution you worked out there. Although I don’t think I would get the use out of it that I require, as it’s mainly place names in the Galaxy map that I need to type in. And with them being places, rather than regular language, it would be a struggle.
Oh, and the Windows interpretation of “Wingmen, on me” was pure, comedy gold. I actually burst out laughing there
Yeh, probably a bit thick accents, but I've heard way worse ;-)Yeah, some hilarious stuff in there. I was amazed how bad VA did - maybe it just doesn't like Kiwi accents @AvonNZ
XSOverlay, OVR Drop, Daily OVR and OVR Toolkit should all work - NB OVR Drop is apparently the most complex one, with the most options.