Pardon me if I’m being dense, but are you guys using SteamVR “Settings” to change the ipd or changing it from inside fpsVR?
Edit: I noted that someone mentioned specifically that you’re not changing it with the ini files…
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You could likely change it in one of settings files in steamvr. FpsVR just gives an easier gui way to adjust it.
I’m being just as dense tbh.
For ‘normal’ SteamVR HMDs there’s afaik two ways to adjust IPD: via the hardware IPD adjustment, which in turn adjusts for sw (camera viewport @risa2000 I know this is a gross oversimplification) within SteamVR and additionally, via e.g. fpsVR which allows for sw IPD adjustment (camera viewport) without affecting lense position.
For Pimax HMDs, sw IPD can also be adjusted for within PiTools but if I understand reports correctly so far, an e.g. +1 sw IPD adjustemnt via PiTool presents different results than a +1 adjustment via fpsVR or .ini file.
This combined with the fact that @arminelec and @SweViver are currently attempting to implement an ‘IPD Wizard’ for PE is leaving me incredibly confused for this sole reason: if Pimax themselves either cannot or don’t want to share transparent information about how exactly PiTool and SteamVR interface with one another (this isn’t just IPD related, just consider the differing results between PiTool render quality and SteamVR SS settings), how can a userbase be expected to develop a set of best practices with clear advice on what to adjust to what end?
In other words, how can an ‘IPD Wizard’ be developed if nobody knows what makes the most sense to adjust and without the ability to meaningfully describe what the best case result any given Pimax HMD is able to offer actually is?
Trial and error has been showing severe declining marginal returns for a while already (aided by the fact that previously established best practices were made redundant via PiTool progression) and without a clear documentation by Pimax themselves, I don’t see what the PE team will be able to deliver on this crucial new functionality.
Most of all, I’d be excited to hear @PimaxUSA 's take on this. As COO of the company with an impressive technical background I’d expect this to be at the core of his expertise.
Unfortunately, Pimax changed how the “IPD offset” works, it no longer changes virtual camera position (i.e. the virtual IPD) but simply shifts the images across the display. The unit of the shift is unknown.
The only application which makes sense for this type of correction is if:
- Pimax warping function does not work correctly,
- The displays are not correctly placed.
More about it here (you already saw it): https://community.openmr.ai/t/optical-calibration-in-depth-info-on-hardware-and-software-ipd-function-in-newest-pitool-version/34213/36
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Could it then be possible that adjusting IPD via fpsVR actually does adjust the camera correctly?
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I do not know how fpsVR affects the virtual camera positions, but it should be possible verify with hmdq.
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I played around with it quite a bit this morning and couldn’t tell any difference no matter what I set it to.
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Difficulty is that one might not notice anything if didn’t have an issue. Just depends om individual sensitivities to changes.
I play the hell out of the ipd mechanical knob and the Pitool ipd software adjustment and I don’t know what is the correct view anymore. Is it normal to have the ripple effects at a distance below your eyes? I took away some cushion on the back to help secure the headset better and to make it more comfortable and it does help a bit. But I think the design of the Comfort kit is incorrect. You can’t really pull the strap all the way down in the back to secure to the back of the head because by doing that, you’re pushing the front upward and not level with your eyes. So what you end up with is you can only slightly lower on the back but thats not as secure and comfortable. I think the design is flaw. I understand why they did that probably because they want the earphones to stay at the same height to get proper audio but it’s not as comfortable as I would like and there’s no way i can do anything about it even if I changed and played with different pads.
It does seem to help get better view if I can get the headset to sit correctly secure to the head. As for ipd adjustment, I play with different offset and sometimes it look okay but when I reset to 0 offset…that also look fine…so I don’t know what is the correct view anymore. I will play with Steam ipd and see if that help. I don’t feel any strain…it’s just the overlapping ripple effects between lenses that prevent you from seeing the whole picture…so you end up perceiving it rather seeing it. Don’t get me wrong…the middle is fine…it’s clear…it’s just that there is overlapping effects and I don’t even know if it’s normal to have this ripple effects.
I will test out the Steam ipd tonight.
Apparently nothing changes, it may even be a placebo is very difficult to say
but as another user mentioned, it also caused my eyes discomfort in 66mm, and as he I think this means that something has changed even if it is not something visible to the naked eye
In my case I notice a better 3d effect, it is difficult to say, in some games I notice it better, or in the garden of steamvr home, but in others it seems the same so it is difficult to detect but I think it is worth investigating this whole matter and maybe get something clear…
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I just switched to the Vive DAS and I find that it fits much better.
Mirage has a 3d printed kit that allows you to change the hinges on the strap to change the angle: I’m betting that this would help you.
In general, setting the ipd is rather difficult. The method that HTC used way back when was to add a cross to the center of a black display, for both eyes. You would adjust the ipd until you had one cross instead of two. Something along these lines is reportedly being worked on by SweViver and Arminelec, although it may be a while. Until then, pretty much everyone has a slightly different experience trying to set it, especially by using software.
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Okay, so I just tested the SteamVR ipd and good news…when I dial +2.5…(which mean an increase of 63+2.5=65.5), I can see things a bit clearer and overall general perception of things is better. For example, I can see individual pixels while watching video. Now, my actual IPD is around 60 to 61mm. But I dial the mechanical to the extreme left of 60mm. I didn’t mess with the Pitool offset at all everything set to default. So that is kind of weird that 65.5mm on Steam help and seem to make things better. I guess increasing the Steam IPD value means lessen the mechanical dialing? Whatever. I feel better. Of course, I also use a half bottle of water to dangling on the back of headset to test out the weight distribution and I got to say, it feels good to have some weight on the back. This means I don’t need to buy or to try modify the hinges or getting the VIVE DAS…I just need to get one of those 300gram counter weight from studioformcreative.
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So you set the hw IPD to your physical IPD (60/61mm/lowest possible) and then you increased the sw IPD via fpsVR from the (falsely) reported 63mm to 65mm? How does it feel when you reduce the sw IPD via fpsVR to the correct IPD of 60/61mm (-2/3mm)?
As for the studioformcreative counter weights: I have been using them pretty much from the start with my 8KX and it made a world of difference in terms of comfort for me. Although I have to say I only use the 8KX for simracing, so the counterweight is way less noticable than when playing e.g. BeatSaber. For room scale high movement titles I absolutely prefer the smaller and lighter G2.
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Some, yes, much, no. With the stock Pimax hinges, the lens axis is somewhat vertically misaligned, which does seem to narrow the ‘sweet spot’ a bit, reduce optical clarity overall, and somewhat worsen Fresnel lens element edge reflections.
Also, PiTool IPD offset can help with small ~2mm problems. Have not used SteamVR IPD software adjustment myself or heard others’ results before, however, it seems what you are doing is basically the same, and valid.
EDIT: Misunderstood. I will try this setting, though I am quite certain it has never affected my IPD adjustments. I nonetheless find it utterly despicable that SteamVR could cause yet such another problem, with the degree of pain and confusion that such incorrect settings cause.
I do think the hinges sold by my company can help you.
@Strydr
Thanks for the link, that also notified me of this thread.
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This could also be related to how pimax interfaces with SteamVR compared to other headsets. Needs more evaluation. Charles on reddit has done some tests only with mechanical setting checking in Unreal Developer debug; however unreal seems to interface differently. He doesn’t have fpsvr installed due to some past conflictl/bug issue.
A lot comes down to pimax not explaining/detailing how settings work; which has been asked many times over with the community having to trial and error figure it out.
When adding new ‘features’ or claiming ‘open’ interfaces, the burden is on those who do so. Doubly so when the track record reflects little regard for reliability or developer simplicity.
SteamVR in this case.
It is also on those whom develop there own drivers to interface with an environment to do so properly in this case pimax. Much like how Pimax’s interface api interfered with Index Controllers detection and usage.
As it seems this has not affected other 3rdparty headsets using SteamVR, it would be a miss on how pimax has integrated there driver to use SteamVR(Let’s not let personal bias suggest otherwise). Pimax has neglected repeated requests to explain how there features and ipd work and have not really released any documentation on it for almost 3 years.
Assuming Pimax knows. SteamVR developers made the changes, made the original interfaces, they seem more likely to me to have more ‘inside information’.
Did they make the changes? Or is it that other headset manufacturers understood how to integrate there drivers better?
This is not like the case of 1/2 fps on mirror window on all headsets except Index and maybe HTC headsets.
Essentially were still trying to figure out how pimax works as it would seem we need to figure out how things work as they should have as you said inside info on how it works and share with us whom have purchased the headsets.
However it almost feels like they need us to figure out how there product works.
Yes, I set the physical IPD to the lowest possible and adjust the fpsVR to 65mm. At first, I reduce the sw IPD via fpsVR to -2/-3…I didn’t feel good about it. So that’s when I try the positive number…I increase to +2.5 and feel good and clarity looking at the text and glancing of the text on the left and right side without turning head feels right. Then I increase to +3, don’t feel good about it. Then decrease to +2.0…still feel off. I settle at +2.5. This is with 170 degrees FOV.
EDITED: Actually +2.5 is what gives me clarity, not +2.0.
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