meshedvr
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1.17.5 Update
🕑 Added 2019-07-13 14:07:38 +0000 UTCHi all-
tl;dr; Just read the bold comments!
My intent was to release 1.17.5 last Wednesday or Thursday, but I ran into quite a few issues with the SteamVR plugin update and the change over to the new SteamVR-based input system. Some of the issues took quite a bit of debug to resolve, like getting Vive Trackers working again. Other issues are still unresolved, like getting a reliable scroll out of the original Vive trackpad, regardless of settings in the SteamVR input bindings. Due to this extra work and issues, 1.17.5 has taken longer to complete than I had hoped.
The good news is the SteamVR plugin and input system changes have opened up the possibilities for new functionality with controllers. It also allows users to make their own controller bindings if they don't like the default using SteamVR's own input binding system (found in SteamVR dashboard -> Settings -> Input Bindings). One example of a highly-requested feature that was added to 1.17.5 is push/pull of grabbed object. This works great and is bound by default to trackpad up/down swipe on both Index and Vive controllers when remotely-grabbing objects. Remote and near grab are now distinct types of grab as well to aid with this. You can see more of what was added to 1.17.5 by looking on the Trello board.
Now for the bad news. The timing of this delay is not great. I have a week-long family vacation starting on Monday that I cannot delay or change. I threw out the notion that maybe I would miss this vacation to my family due to work issues, but quickly received the "Are you f-ing serious?" look from my wife, and I realized my mistake in asking such nonsense. While I am super dedicated to this project, I need to remember to keep a healthy life balance, a new thing I have been learning about since starting this project nearly 2 years ago! I really had no idea how this project would take over my life in such a way when I started it. That is both good and bad!
So I'm left with a hard decision of what to do with 1.17.5. Here are the list of issues and other stuff I have yet to complete due to additional work described.
- Loss of function on original Vive controller: stacked node cycle using trackpad no longer works. The "Scroll" functionality in SteamVR input should allow this usage, but there are multiple problems. If using mouse scroll option, there is no way to turn off all the haptic feedback and the scroll momentum cannot be completely turned off resulting in imprecise ability to do 1-click style cycles. If using smooth scroll option, haptic feedback can be completely turned off, but it still does not provide the proper input needed for precise 1-at-a-time cycle. As such, I probably need to implement my own cycle functionality and just have the user define the axis to use in SteamVR input settings. This is not ideal.
- New clothing added by my art developer has not yet been incorporated or tested. Quite a few items were added, but I have not had time to officially bind them into the game.
- Oculus Touch in SteamVR input bindings are not yet complete and fully tested. I need to test with both Rift and Rift S still.
- Windows Mixed Reality input bindings have not yet been created and this platform is still completely untested (I have Odyssey+ to test with, but it hasn't been hooked up in ages).
- Leap Motion finger tracking has not yet been ported to my new finger input/output system, meaning Leap Motion still cannot control Person fingers in possession mode or in remote control mode. Also it is possible Leap Motion support broke with all the other changes that we done. At the very least, this needs to be retested. Ideally it needs to be converted to common system.
- Oculus headsets in Oculus (non-SteamVR) mode can no longer bend fingers.
- General 1-2 day testing we usually do internally before release
Given all of this, my new plan is as follows:
- Finish as much as possible on the list above today. Obviously the 1-2 day testing is not going to happen, so that will likely mean more bugs and issues, especially for SteamVR users due to very large change in how all input works.
- Release 1.17.5 as a "beta" late today, and require a new updater that allows beta-opt-in to get it. People who don't want to deal with bugs or known issues can simply stay on the last stable release (1.17.0.6).
- Upon return from vacation, I'll check back on bug reports, and put out one or more patch releases before moving 1.17.5 out of beta to make it the official version
Thank you for your understanding in this very stressful situation I am in! I hope the beta plan is something that will work to make the best of it.
Meshed
Comments
Jim Macius
the leap motion controller is amazing too!
RossNutkinChan
I applaud your commitment to life / family / work balance. Take your time, family first! The upcoming features sound awesome. Personally, I can't wait to get my hands on an Index HMD!
Andrew
You guys should have been F5ing the updater - the release is out. Check the updater program! Thanks Meshed!
embee
I'm just happy to get my hands on better Index controls asap so I'll just sit here and hit F5 now until it appears. Have a nice vacation!
Marius the Hun
For me, VAM is fantastic enough as it is now. No problem with waiting. Happy vacations!
Arvin
Like everyone else already said, obviously dont cancel your vacation, that's definitely nonsense. Also I really like the 'beta' solution here, and I actually hope to see this happen more in future. Beta release will let everyone test new stuff and report bugs, while also making everyone happier for getting releases quicker
Clayfacer
When Today?
Andrew
Wife happiness comes first absolutely (so glad I do not have one though!), do what you must do and I'm happy you're breaking precedent and releasing a beta considering how small a base we Index users are still. Can't wait to have finger tracking in VaM without needing a Leap Motion!
Toshie27
I am glad already very much about the beta to test this
Toshie27
beta ?
Sounds good, just call it beta (isnt the whole project still pmuch beta anyway? not complaining or anything, just saying?) and release, then go have your well earned vacation.
Maxman3D
Personally i would be happy to wait till you came back and got it all sorted out rather than encounter a bug that might prevent usage while you were away. Enjoy the vacation, it will all be here when you get back. Besides, make the wife happy now and you can spend more time on development later, LOL
DJ
The post below ("update on release plans") addresses this.
Tobias Tjernlund
Honestly, go have your vacation. I don't mind waiting a little longer as you've proven plenty of times that you're really dedicated to your project. I'll support you all the way!
DJ
Trello says the this update will automatically detect your headset refresh rate and set the game to use that.
Bob Smith
Go on your vacation! BTW, I dunno about other WMR headsets, but I've got an Odyssey+ I use often, and the controllers work just fine with VaM. To expand, since you mentioned there's been no testing at all for WMR: I switched from a Rift CV1 to the O+ in February, and it works perfectly. My sole issue was that I had to spend all of 30 seconds figuring out the control scheme on the new controllers.
Clayfacer
What about 120hz support for Index ?
Clayfacer
No hair stuff in this beta. ?
Tony
Have fun! Thanks for the updates! 👍
Zero
yea man, what everyone said. As devoted as I am to my career in nightlife (sometimes up to four different clubs in a week) - I had to make a similar decision to make sure I made time for myself (and my family) too, so I can totally relate. Just as my patrons will still there for me after my brief hiatus - all of us will be here when you get back from yours, chief!
Mirko James
Thanks for the detailed update! Take the family vacation. that will always be way more important than work. We can and will wait.
kc152374
Work is important, but family is more important Rest is to go further Pay attention to your health Looking forward to a better version Bon Voyage !
Meshed VR
She is supportive of the project in general (she is quite open minded), but doesn't like the long work hours and stress. She does a good job keeping me in check from working too much, as per this example!
geo_gan
I didn’t know you were married and now would love to know what your wife thinks of VAM... does she know much about it and what it does or is she just happy to ignore the perversion and take the money like most women would be 😀
You are totally right. Life is about balance. This technology is freaking amazing. And the new experiences we are creating are amazing. But I think we all need to remember to balance out all of this with our analog environments. Enjoy the time with your family!
Meshed VR
Yeah after 1.17.5 I'm going to move directly to 1.18 and finish the custom hair work. I'm also aligned with your thinking on the beta channel. I think I will likely use it for all future releases.
Meshed VR
Yes Index controllers are in. They are by-far the most versatile of all the controllers and can handle all the new functionality, including finger tracking. Finger tracking can apply to VR hands or can be bound to Person hands remotely or during possess.
We don't need you burned out or in the penalty box with the wife. What I've been realizing is just how good 1.17 is. Very stable and functional. There's plenty to keep me busy.
Darren Machisi
Sounds like a good plan. I have always wished for a beta channel as well so maybe this will be a way to test the waters on that. My one suggestion is that you don’t spend a few weeks on 2.0 stuff after this release and get back to the hair stuff. I know you and others are excited for 2.0 but it’s really the last big missing feature in the app and it’s been delayed already by several months. Get er done and then focus more on 2.0 after that. ;) Enjoy your vacation!
Health and Family first! Have a great vacation!
AK420
Seriously, you NEED to take time off and spending it with your family is important.
Yo, for real dude, I think I can speak for myself and at least 90% of the well-adjusted of your supporters...don't cancel vacations. You work hard, you accomplish a lot, take time to yourself and your family; you deserve it! Come back refreshed!
Thanks, no worries if you didn’t get to completely test it. But are you able to tell me please if the index controllers support is added in this build? Or if that got delayed too? Also do we have individual finger tracking for index? Cause nothing on the controllers was mentioned. Thanks
