How do they work exactly? Is it feasible to uses sites like eddb, inara, and coriolis.io in game in VR with an overlay? Currently I use those sites and also a notebook, I find the notebook really handy going to just has to remove headset to make a note of anything I need to note.
Question about VR Overlays
- Thread starter Jacobis9000
- Start date
They can be, but the more general answer is "Not Really" (the webpage would be displayed, but be difficult to use).
There are two main issues. Firstly, you need a headset with enough resolution to be able to read the text on the webpages easily. I'm a Rift S user which would struggle in this respect. I've not used a Reverb G2, but from wha I hear, it would probably be OK in this respect.
Secondly there is the issue of controlling the webpage. Windows gives one application at a time "Focus". The application in Focus receives input such as your keyboard/mouse input. As such when you are flying ED, ED has the focus. To use the web browser, it would need the focus. You'd need to be able to type onto the webpage, and use the mouse on it. ED would lose focus as whilst you are controlling the browser. You could get around the focus issue by making the projected window, a remote desktop of a second computer. (which runs the web browser) You still have the issue of typing blind, however...
As millgna says, overlays are great for viewing media.
There are two main issues. Firstly, you need a headset with enough resolution to be able to read the text on the webpages easily. I'm a Rift S user which would struggle in this respect. I've not used a Reverb G2, but from wha I hear, it would probably be OK in this respect.
Secondly there is the issue of controlling the webpage. Windows gives one application at a time "Focus". The application in Focus receives input such as your keyboard/mouse input. As such when you are flying ED, ED has the focus. To use the web browser, it would need the focus. You'd need to be able to type onto the webpage, and use the mouse on it. ED would lose focus as whilst you are controlling the browser. You could get around the focus issue by making the projected window, a remote desktop of a second computer. (which runs the web browser) You still have the issue of typing blind, however...
As millgna says, overlays are great for viewing media.
![[VR] Orodruin](https://forums-cdn.zaonce.net/data/avatars/m/237/237188.jpg?1614840532){kind=avatar}
I have used overlays both with an original Vive and now lately with an Index. While it is true that the resolution of the HMD plays an important role, it can be somewhat countered by increasing the font size of the browser. That said, the Index is clearly better, but it can still be difficult to make out small text. It is however clearly enough for my purposes, which remind of those of the OP: I use a browser window for external web tools, watching YouToube and Twitch, and keep a Google doc for notes.
This is something I've thought about doing for a good while now. Don't suppose you have a good link that explains how to set this up. I'm running a CV1 and standalone ED.
I'm running OVRdrop, it is probably not the best option, but it was what was available when I got it and so I have been sticking with it not to have to set up something new. I am sure there are plenty of guides out there for the different options though.
How are you coping with application focus, and typing into fields on web pages?
((OVRdrop appears not to have been maintained recently, other alternatives are OVRToolkit and XSOverlay - I use the latter)
I'm working on some at the moment. If you are interested in a quick and easy hack, take a look at the SRVTracker source code. If you are willing to jump in and help out, that would be awesome - I want to provide the texture to OpenVR as a DirectX texture instead of a bitmap to improve performance. Not expecting that, but always worth asking. 
I can help you get a basic panel up and running with SteamVR if you need help. This is an old demo:
I can help you get a basic panel up and running with SteamVR if you need help. This is an old demo:
Oh, wait - if you are talking about overlays for third party applications rather than writing your own... No idea about that.
I have voice commands for switching focus and closing/opening the panels.
How did you set this up?
Voice Attack usually, works in VR so you can ask it to do things, which you cant normally see/do with a headset on
Indeed, what Popalu said. I use VoiceAttack.
Ah ok yes I should have realised I've heard people on Newton's Gambit talking about using voice commands, but I did not realise that you could control the overlay or VR headset with it thought it was just the game. Thanks guys!
Oculus dash has overlays built in, look into that. I can't help more because I don't have Oculus hmd.