Output for Samsung Gear VR

Q&A about the latest versions
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thatkeith
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I just got a Gear VR headset and compatible phone. It really is a superb way to view panos! But there's a catch:

Viewing an equirect (recommended resolution: 4096x2048px) is fine, but it shows a slight but VERY annoying 'Google pinch' effect in the center of the nadir.
It can use cubefaces (recommended resolution: 1536px), but there are a couple of catches. First, ALL the cubeface images have to be mirrored. There's also a specific naming convention that – of course – has its own naming convention:

Code: Select all

pano_front.jpg  ->  pano_pz.jpg
pano_right.jpg  ->  pano_nx.jpg
pano_back.jpg   ->  pano_nz.jpg
pano_left.jpg   ->  pano_px.jpg
pano_up.jpg     ->  pano_py.jpg
pano_down.jpg   ->  pano_ny.jpg
What's needed is some way of saying "make for Gear VR", or having a 'reverse images' option and an appropriate cubeface naming choice. That would smooth the way tremendously.

Keith
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360Texas
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Just curious, while using the Samsung Gear VR how were you able to connect to the internet with your Chrome or another default browser ?

Thinking out loud here.
No I do not have the Gear VR yet.. still learning about how it works. We have a Galaxy S 5.
In few months looking to upgrade to the new S 7. Wonder if the S 7 will fit the Gear VR device.

I did make a trip to visit a couple of local Computer stores. The sales rep told me that we needed to upload a game to our smart phone storage space.

Then I found where Samsung has launched its own Gear VR web browser.

http://www.theverge.com/2015/12/1/98302 ... vr-browser
Dave
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thatkeith
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I don't see how I'd do that from within Gear VR, but I've only had it a few hours. However, I have been told (categorically, by multiple people) that the impressive VR performance with my own content comes when viewing within one of a couple of different apps, not just when viewing web-based panos. Preparing panos for 'local' Gear VR viewing is specifically different. It's an extra thing, but it is something I'm going to be doing a fair bit!

I also need to find out how to set things up so the panos aren't listed as by 'unknown'. That's another thing, but it may also be a handy output option request... :)
Bostjan
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Gear VR is a "special" experience. we can not compare it ot the other "cardboard" clones. I did several tests and I have some excellent cardboards, even with better optics...BUT what makes Gear VR (Oculus Rift) so special is a gyroscope. I have "a bunch" of sets in my office - my old habit to work with several devices at once.
I posted a link to my demo subterranean cave tour for Gear VR once on theis forum and here is the example of great tour to Ai Weiwei exibition in Royal gallery made by 360 Precision guy Mathew Rogers (btw brand of best panoramic heads made ever ) : https://www.royalacademy.org.uk/exhibit ... weiwei-360 ...scroll down and pick the option for Gear VR - incredible experience.
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Svendus
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Hopki
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Hi Guys,
This is already a feature request.
Let's get P2VR 5 out of beta first then we can look at it.
Regards,
Hopki
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skyfocus
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Hi,

I do not own a GearVR and I'm not planning to get one (because I have to buy a new phone too, and iPhones are expensive enough) but I have customers asking if the tour can also be viewed in a GearVR. Searching the Forum I saw this thread saying it is already a feature request to have GearVR output possibilities. Another thread on the same subject "viewtopic.php?f=6&t=10655&start=15" claiming it is available in 5.1 ...

I looked a bit further on the Pano2VR website and found this text about HMD output (http://ggnome.com/doc/pano2vr/5/hmd-how/):

"Output for GearVR

- Load the panorama or tour.

- Add hotspots, patches, etc.

- Open the Transformation output.

- Choose Horizontal Strip (VR) as the Type.

- Enter the size of the strip.

- Generate the output.

- Add the strip to the Oculus app to view in Gear VR."

I followed this guide and I obviously cannot start the strip in the Gear VR cause I don't have one .... but ..... the output is a bunch of strips, for each pano one strip ....
How could this be a virtual tour ? Is this only a guide to show just one panorama in the GearVR (but why did I have to add the hotspots then), or are there actual hotspots to be stared at like in the Google Cardboard output ?

Regards,

Arjan
Windows 10 Pro x64, Pano2VR pro V6.1.13 , Browser latest Firefox
Website: https://www.skyfocus.nl/
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3DV
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You could try the VR Tourviewer for Android app with a Samsung S6,S7 or S8 with the Gear VR: https://www.vrtourviewer.com

It's specifically written to display Pano2VR tours on Gear VR and uses the Gear VR extra sensors and low latency for a smooth experience.
You can add an url to view a tour, or copy the tour to the device to watch it. The app uses HTML5 output from Pano2VR, info here: https://www.vrtourviewer.com/download/

(Full disclosure: I'm the developer of the app, I made it to be able to show my own 3d rendered Pano2VR tours with the GearVR since there's not a good enough alternative yet.)
Ruud van Reenen
3DV - Real estate artist impressions and animations
VR Tourviewer - Experience Pano2VR tours on Oculus Go, Quest, Rift, Pico and Cardboard VR headsets
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skyfocus
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Hi 3DV,

Thanx for the hint, I'll give it a try !

Arjan
Windows 10 Pro x64, Pano2VR pro V6.1.13 , Browser latest Firefox
Website: https://www.skyfocus.nl/
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