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Extended Reality at the Georgia Tech Library

This guide provides resources that are relevant to those researching or developing with emerging technologies. The guide also discusses some of the devices available at the Georgia Tech Library

Check Out from the Info Desk

VR headsets are available on a first come , first serve basis for Instant Reservation at the Ground floor Info desk.

If you have questions about your specific needs with regard to headset usage (classes, personal use etc.) questions about circulation can be answered here:

  • Put in a chat/ help request at the Library help page - specify "Gadgets" request, if asked.

Available headsets are listed below, along with appropriate specs, as well as helpful links to Linked in Learning.

 

Oculus Rift S

 
Oculus Rift S VR headset
4 Hour Loan

Accessories (5 parts) 1x Oculus Rift Headset with attached HDMI cable, 2x controllers, 2x AA batteries 

Tips for getting started with two of the most popular Game Engines: (Unity and Unreal)

What you need to get started:

PC that has the appropriate specs:

  • Recommended Specs:
    • OS: 64-bit Windows 10.
    • CPU: Intel i5 4590 / AMD Ryzen 5 1500X or greater.
    • RAM: 8GB.
    • GPU: Nvidia GeForce GTX 1060 / AMD Radeon R9 480 or greater.
    • USB Ports: 1 USB 3.0 .
  • Minimum Specs:
    • OS: 64-bit Windows 10.
    • CPU: Intel Core i3-6100 / AMD Ryzen 3 1200, FX4350 or greater.
    • RAM: 8GB.
    • GPU: NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1050Ti / Radeon RX 470 or greater.
    • USB Ports: 1 USB 3.0
  • Headset
  • Tethered (must be connected to PC by cables)
  • Touch Controllers

Getting Started:

  • Open the app and click Install Now
  • Download Oculus software to your PC from here
  • Follow instructions to create an Oculus account and set up your Rift

Developing:

1.Enable developer mode on your Quest

  • Go to Settings in the lower right corner of the app
  • Select your Quest from the list
  • Select Other Settings
  • Click slider to activate developer mode

2.Launch your product on the Quest

  • In Unity in particular, head to top menu to File and Build Settings
  • Open Build Settings window and follow this guide to set appropriate settings and upload rift application.

3.Three ways of developing: Unity, Unreal, and Native (Largely the same between Quest and the Rift S)

  • Unity
    • Has the Oculus integration package plus built in support that makes it easy to get started
    • Getting Started Guide
    • The following simple tutorial has a guide for setting appropriate settings and projects, linked here
  • Unreal
    • Quick Start guide
    • More complex to begin to use in general and also with the oculus, Unity is the better program for beginner developers

Oculus Quest

 

Oculus Quest VR headset

2 Day Loan

Accessories (9 parts) -

1x Oculus Quest Headset (Glasses Spacer & Silicone Cover Assembled), 2x Touch Coners, 1x USB-C Power Adapter, 1x USB-C Charging Cable, 2x AA Batteries, 1x 16ft USB-C to USB-C Link Cable w/ cable strap, 1x Case (Oculus)troll

 

What you need to get started:
  • Oculus Quest
  • Android or iPhone running Oculus App
    • iOS 10+ 
    • 6.0 marshmallow + 
    • Bluetooth to connect phone and headphones
  • Touch Controllers
Getting Started:
  • Download Oculus App on mobile device
  • Wirelessly connect headset and phone to configure and begin playing via Bluetooth
  • Browse and purchase titles from mobile app or while in headset
Two ways of playing:
  • Room scale allows you to move around in the space, need at least 6.5ft by 6.5ft, OR
  • Stationary mode allows you to play sitting down if in a smaller space
Developing:
Enable developer mode on your Quest :
  1. Go to Settings in the lower right corner of the app
  2. Select your Quest from the list 
  3. Select Other Settings
  4. Click slider to activate developer mode
Launch your product on the Quest:
  1. Connect Quest to computer via USB cable
  2. Put on Quest and enable USB debugging
  3. In Unity in particular, head to top menu to File and Build Settings
  4. Open Build Settings window and click Build and Run
  5. Choose a name for your APK and select where to save it
  6. Now you will be able to disconnect Quest from your PC and launch the project
  7. In the Quest, project should be saved under Libraries and Unknown sources
Three ways of developing: Unity, Unreal, and Native (Largely the same between Quest and the Rift S)
  1. Unreal
    1. Quick Start
    2. In depth guides to specific areas such as audio and controllers here
  2. Unity
    1. Ensure you have Android and/or iOS build support enabled when installing unity as you will be developing for one of these platforms
      1. Android: also Install Android Studio and download and install SDK Tools and SDK - Platform Tools
      2. iOS: 
    2. Simple start, add in the Unity integration package to any project and you have prefabs, scripts, samples and other resources plus the built in support
    3. This includes interface for controlling VR camera, first person control prefab, unified input API for controllers, advanced rendering features, object grabbing and haptics scripts for Touch controllers, debugging tools and more
    4. Find it in the Unity Asset store
    5. Current recommended versions of Unity are: 2017.4 LTS, 2018.4 LTS, and 2019.1.2f1
    6. Quick Start
    7. Simple Tutorial
    8. Unity VR documentation 
  3. Native (Quick Start Guide: This involves a lot more coding and production than using either Unity or Unreal but allows you more fine-grained control over your application)

Holo-Lens 2

 

24 Hour Loan

Accessories (5 parts) - 1x HoloLens 2, 1x Power Adapter, 1x USB-C to USB-C cable, 1x Polishing Cloth, 1x Hard Shell Case

To get started with Hololens 2:

  1. Turn the device on. The on/off button located at the right back position of the headset.
  2. Put the headset on. Adjust it with the strap and the gear at the back of the headset.
  3. Make sure you are connected to the wifi. 
  4. Log in with your Georgia Tech username and password.
  5. Choose the app you want to use.

Development with Hololens:

There are different tools you can use to develop an app in Hololens 2. The most popular one is Unity with Mixed Reality Toolkit (MRTK).

Unity Tutorial

Hololens

Introduction to Mixed Reality ToolKit (49 min)

Linked in Learning Recommendations

Unity is a platform used for real-time content creation providing users with the tools to create games, simulations and interactive experiences. 

The following links can be useful while in developer mode while using the headsets listed above.

In addition to Unity tutorials online through the Unity site.  Linked in learning (Available with GT log in) provides a variety of certification prep courses that can assist with development skills:

Content is always being updated on Linked in Learning- utilize the filters and search functions to target your search further for more topics or specific headsets.