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Virtual Desktop Makes Windows OS Oculus Rift-Capable

Posted by timothy on from the with-a-little-help dept.

An anonymous reader writes Virtual Desktop is a free program that makes the Windows operating system compatible with the Oculus Rift VR headset. To the surprise of some, plugging the Oculus Rift into a computer doesn't result in a native view of the OS, meaning that users have to put on and take off the headset as they move from one VR-specific app to the next. If you want to use typical Windows programs—like Photoshop, Firefox, or Microsoft Office—no dice! That's where Virtual Desktop comes in, enabling the entire Windows desktop, and any application that can run on it, to be seen through the Oculus Rift. It also works as a bridge between VR-specific applications, allowing you to move from one to the next without ever taking off the headset. The latest version released today includes voice commands for launching VR games, global monitor mirroring, performance improvements, and is built against the latest Oculus Rift SDK.

2 of 47 comments (clear)

  1. Not new by kuzb · · Score: 3, Informative

    I've had a rift DK2 for nearly a year now, and this has been around for quite a while. Text is a bit more readable than it typically is in most VR games because the windows are mapped on to a curved surface. Ultimately it's still too awkward and low resolution (due to the DK2 splitting a 1080 display to show an image for each eye) for serious use. it remains a neat novelty that will make your friends go "wow".

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    BeauHD. Worst editor since kdawson.
  2. Re: We tried this already... by Tumalu · · Score: 3, Informative

    I'm not sure what you're talking about. I wouldn't really describe Virtual Desktop as "3D Windows". It just shows your 2D Windows on a virtual screen (or screens if you're running more than one monitor). It doesn't make any attempt at creating a 3D UI for Windows.

    With future versions of the headset, if the internal screens get hi-res enough, something like Virtual Desktop could be useful for simulating multiple large displays for increased productivity even if you don't have multiple physical screens. But at the moment, both the hardware and the software support are a bit lacking. I think the current use case for Virtual Desktop is that you can launch a VR game without having to pull the headset off to see what you're clicking.