New VR/AR Software Features for Enterprise
We have released a new version of our headset companion software Varjo Base to help our users get the maximum value out of their Varjo devices. The new 2.4 software release includes exciting new features and improvements requested by Varjo’s customers in training, design, and research domains. The new improvements allow professional users to:
- Create the world’s most advanced mixed reality experiences with real-time shadows and lights
- Manipulate the pass-through video with real-time effects such as color grading, noise and blur
- Smoothen the movement of virtual objects in an application
- Use Chroma Keying without with the graphical UI built into Varjo Base
- Override the origin and anchor of the virtual content to a needed spot
- Use Varjo Markers with Unity projects
Now, let’s take a closer look at the new features.
Reality Reflection API for Mixed Reality
Thanks to Reality Reflection API, Varjo users can now capture the real surroundings and insert them into mixed reality scenarios producing real-time shadows and reflections. The environment scan can be saved to provide static lighting effects, or used continuously to provide real-time reflections and shadows.
Volvo XC60 demo for Varjo is now available at developer.varjo.com.
Real-time Video Shader (Beta)
Released as an experimental feature, Real-time Video Shader enables users to manipulate the pass-through video with real-time effects such as color grading, noise and blur. Used in combination with Chroma Keying, users can easily achieve full-body presence without extra development time. Example applications include:
- Training & Simulation: Simulate night-time flying in mixed reality independently of real-world lighting conditions and the simulation software used
- Design & Research: Simulate different real-world lighting methods such as LED, Fluorescent, Halogen
Experimental SDK download package is available at developer.varjo.com
Motion Prediction
Varjo Base can now smoothen the movement of virtual objects in an application by predicting their motion. If objects in your scene are moving erratically, navigate to the Headset tab, and Motion spacewarp. Example applications include:
- Training & Simulation – Simulators can now smoothen motion of moving virtual objects like planes and terrain
Multi-App Support
Enables users to run multiple applications at the same time while Varjo headset displays a single view. Simultaneously running applications can be made with different 3D engines or image generators. Example applications include:
- Training & Simulation: Use a specific IG to render terrain while using Unity app for rendering cockpit, hand-tracking, mission selection
- Design & Research: Use a specific application to bring 3D objects with Varjo Markers on top of another virtual scene or with ready-made SteamVR applications
Override Origin & Position
Allows users quickly override the origin point, direction, and floor level of your room setup in Varjo Base. This can help you temporarily fix tracking-related problems, such as your scene opening in the wrong direction or virtual content drifting out of place. Example applications include:
- Training & Simulation: Reset the position of the virtual elements to match a specific position of a cockpit
- Design & Research: Reset the position of a virtual object in a showroom or laboratory
Chroma Key UI in Varjo Base
Allows users to easily configure Chroma Key by picking the color and fine tuning other parameters. Global Chroma Key toggle makes any application work with Chroma Key. Example applications include:
- Training & Simulation: In flight simulators, you can place a green canvas around the physical cockpit to fly in a synthetic environment
- Industrial Design: Rapid product design visualizations where a 3D printed object can be dressed in various designs with the click of a button, enabling intuitive interactions with virtual products
Unity XR SDK & Unity Support for Varjo Markers
XR SDK is a new plugin framework for Unity 2019.3 which provides multiple benefits for Unity developers. Read more from our Developer pages.
Varjo Markers provide an easy way to track and place virtual objects in mixed reality scenarios. Released previously as native API and with Unreal plugin, in 2.4 software update, we are extending Varjo Marker support for Unity. Example applications include:
- Training & Simulation: In flight simulators, you can set an instrument display exactly in needed place
- Industrial Design: Rapid product design visualizations where a 3D printed object can be dressed in various designs with the click of a button, enabling intuitive interactions with virtual products
Let us know what you think
We have many other new Varjo Base features and improvements on our drawing board, and we want to concentrate on the VR/AR software features that matter the most to our enterprise users. So give the new Varjo Base a try, get in touch with us and tell us what you think. We warmly welcome all feedback and improvement suggestions.
