3DRudder – Page 4 – Augmented & Virtual Reality Confabulation

October 10, 2017

3dRudder Adds Unleashed Mode Exclusive to Oculus Rift

French controller company 3dRudder introduced its foot-based controller of the same name back in 2016 as a novel way of controlling virtual reality (VR) videogames just using a players feet. Since then the company has added several improvements and updates such as the Unreal Engine 4 VR Editor navigation and 2-keys mapping. The latest addition has been designed exclusively for Oculus Rift and Touch, called Unleashed Mode.

Essentially Unleashed Mode has been created to aid room-scale experiences – or more accurately players who’re in small, confined spaces – so they can use 3dRudder to move around whilst still using Oculus Touch to pick things up and operate as normal.

And because players need to be sat down to use 3dRudder it also allows longer gameplay sessions as they don’t need to be stood up, comfortably sat down whilst being able to walk around as normal.

3dRudder is compatible with Oculus Rift videogames purchased through the Oculus Store, and while the controller is $179 USD from the company or through other retailers, the Unleashed Mode is freely available to download through GitHub. Eventually it will be integrated into the more user-friendly customisable 3dRudder Dashboard.

To see the new function in action check out the video which 3dRudder created below which was made using AirCar. For any further 3dRudder updates, keep reading VRFocus.

August 28, 2017

It’s all in the Feet as 3dRudder Allows Unreal Engine 4 VR Editor Navigation

A few days ago French controller company 3dRudder introduced a new update adding 2-key mapping to its peripheral, thus enabling gamers whether on standard monitors or in virtual reality (VR) to add two key inputs to any direction. Now it’s the turn of developers, with 3dRudder releasing a plugin for Epic Games’ Unreal Engine 4 VR Editor, enabling them to move around their virtual worlds.

As developers tend to spend a significant amount of time seated at their desks building awesome videogames, if they use UE4’s immersive editor then the foot-powered VR motion controller aims to aid navigation by making it simpler and smoother.

Rather than having to use the standard VR inputs to teleport or traverse scenes, the foot controller can be used, freeing up the motion controllers for other work such as movement of objects, tweaking designs, or just because you want to sit back, relax and admire your work by flying all over the place.

3dRudder has been ensuring its controller supports as much software as possible whilst being easy to use. Earlier this year a wireless version was unveiled, whilst a few weeks after the launch of Robo Recall, a locomotion mod was released.

VRFocus will continue its coverage of 3dRudder, reporting back with the latest updates.

August 22, 2017

3dRudder Introduces 2-Keys Mapping

The 3dRudder foot-powered controller is an alternative to using standard controllers like the Xbox controller, or hand-held motion controllers like the Oculus Touch. The 3dRudder was designed for use in virtual reality (VR) environments and when navigating through computer-aided design (CAD) software. The company have now added some new features to make navigating in VR videogames even easier.

A new update has been launched for the 3dRudder which allows users to map two keys per direction for more precise control. Previously, users could only map one key per direction, for example z to move forward. The development team for 3dRudder noted that many titles, such as FPS titles, require the ability to use two buttons for movement, one for walking and one for running. 3DRudder have now implemented this capability, so the user can now define a threshold point at which to switch between the keys – somewhat similar to how on an analogue stick you can push forward slightly to walk, and push fully forward to run.

The 3dRudder is compatible with several VR experiences and videogames, such as the relaxing Nature Treks VR, which allows users to experience being immersed in the beauty of nature, or for something more fast-paced, the 3dRudder can be used with Epic Games’ title Robo Recall. With the 3dRudder handling movement, the hands are free to cut down robots.

3dRudder also has a plugin for 3D modelling software Rhino 3D, so users can design and navigate within VR.

VRFocus will continue to bring you news on the 3dRudder and other VR control methods.

July 29, 2017

Nature Treks VR Adds Support For Foot-Powered 3dRudder Mouse

For some people who live in the city, it can be hard to get out into nature, for various reasons. Time, money, distance, disability can all prevent people from seeking out trees and fresh air. Nature Treks VR brings the experience of nature to the user instead, and now has added native support for the 3dRudder foot motion controller.

Nature Treks VR is a non-competitive virtual reality (VR) experience that is designed to help users relax by using a combination of soothing audio audio and relaxing visuals of nature at its most beautiful to help ease stress in its users.

The addition of 3dRudder support allows users to simulate ‘running’ using the 3dRudder foot-mouse controls to run alongside wild animals or across wide sandy beaches. The 3dRudder compatibility has been integrated in such a way that the user doesn’t need to do any configuration, all settings are handled directly by the Nature Treks VR software.

There are over 300 locations available, and the user can choose the weather and time of day for their preferred form of experience. So, if the user wants to see sunrise in a desert, that is entirely possible. Users can also choose their preferred locomotion method, whether that involves using the 3dRudder motion control, teleportation, arm swinging or free movement.

Nature Treks VR is available for HTC Vive and Oculus Rift through Steam at a price of £7.99 (GBP). A video showing the title controlled with the 3dRudder is available to view below.

VRFocus will bring you further information on Nature Treks VR and 3dRudder as it becomes available.

June 19, 2017

3dRudder Foot-Powered Mouse Adds Rhino 3D Support

Being able to multitask is in demand I constantly – if you don’t believe me, look at how many cores modern CPUs have – but unfortunately for modern day humans, we only have two hands. It’s atrocious what we have to put up with, for two hands can simply not accomplish enough tasks at once. Luckily for us, we have two other limbs that are usually going to waste while sat at our computer – our feet.

Thank goodness, then, for the 3dRudder foot-powered mouse, designed for use navigating either 3D computer-aided designs (CADs) or virtual reality (VR) content.

We’ve already seen the 3dRudder in action when used with Robo Recall, the Unreal Engine 4 VR first person shooter from Epic Games. Using the 3dRudder you can move around the environment with your feet, entirely freeing up your hands for shooting down foes.

Now 3dRudder have confirmed that their unique foot-mouse will be available to use with 3D design applications, such as Rhino 3D.

Combine virtual reality design, with Rhino 3D and the 3dRudder foot-mouse and you’ve got yourself an excellent virtual space to do all of your work in – all of which can be navigated and moved around from the comfort of your desk – pretty impressive.

3dRudder has released a video of the foot-mouse in action alongside Rhino 3D – you can take a look below.

If you owna 3dRudder mouse, the plugin costs $100, or you can buy the 3dRudder CAD Edition for $279.

For all of the latest and best ways to navigate VR, make sure to keep reading VRFocus.

April 12, 2017

3dRudder Review: A New Way to Move in VR

March 23, 2017

Robo Recall Gets Locomotion Mod From 3dRudder

How to move in a natural way continues to be a hot topic within virtual reality (VR) mainly because moving about at speed is a big factor in many cases of sim sickness. There are a number of different movement methods that are being used in the current crop of VR videogame titles, including various forms of teleportation. I.e. moving via clicking from place to place either freely or via hotspots.

Critics say of these methods that they are an immediate barrier to the immersion of a title, one company that is such a critic is VR controller firm 3dRudder who have announced a new mod today called the Locomotion3dRudder Mod tailored specifically for use with Epic Games latest game, VR FPS Robo Recall that aims to bring intuitive motion control and banish what it calls the “immersion killer” of teleportation.

The 3dRudder itself is a controller platform with which you use your feet, that aims to bring 360 degree movement to VR environments with an eye not only on games but on use as a tool for designers and similar professionals; with recent developments including a wireless version of the controller which was revealed at CES earlier this year. Players tackle games in a seated position using their feet to push and shift their weight across the raised platform to move forward, backwards, sideways or even turn around. The idea being that your feat, naturally will know where you want to go, thus freeing up hand movements for more important things – like shooting enemies and grabbing loot. The team have released a video (shown below) which demonstrates the 3dRudder and mod in action with Robo Recall.

Robo Recall, of course, is the Unreal Engine powered action-packed shooter for Oculus Rift and Touch, developed as a follow-up/spiritual sequel to Epic Games earlier VR shooter Bullet Train. In a recent review in which VRFocus awarded a rare five star rating, it was stated that: “Robo Recall elicits such a high standard that future FPS titles will be measured by it, and should be considered a killer app for Oculus Touch.”

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The mod, which was developed by the 3dRudder team itself can be found here, along with instructions for installation. Whilst the 3dRudder controller can be purchased online for $179 (USD) or 179€ (EUR) at 3drudder.com.

Robo Recall itself was released with its full source code available to mod, Epic Games allowing us to share an in-depth ‘how to’ guide with you on Robo Recall and the development team earlier this month revealed three official mod packs for the videogame.

VRFocus will bring you more information about the developments with both Robo Recall and 3dRudder as we are able. Be sure to follow us on social media for more news.

January 3, 2017

3dRudder Launching Wireless Version at CES 2017

The issue of movement in virtual reality (VR) has birthed all sorts of inventive ideas and solutions, whether in software form or hardware. Launched last year for VR headsets was 3dRudder, a VR controller that’s essentially a raised platform for players to control movement through twisting and tilting their feet. The debut model only worked with a connecting cable, but for this weeks CES event in Las Vegas, 3dRudder will be launching a wireless version.

Designed to be used while seated, 3dRudder aims to provide far more natural movement in VR, thus reducing simulator sickness that some users may encounter. Pressure sensors and heel-toe movement help player to easily move front/back, left/right/, rotate left/rotate right, and up/down with minimal effort.

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When the original 3dRudder launched last year the company stated support for headsets such as HTC Vive, Oculus Rift and Samsung Gear VR. It then had to rescind the support for Gear VR due to finding out an issue with cabling the controller into the headset, namely the consumer version port only supplies power to the attached mobile device, while the Innovator Edition which it had been using allows both power and data. Bringing the wireless version of the controller to market means that Gear VR owners will now have the opportunity to use the controller.

3dRudder Wireless uses Bluetooth 4.0 to connect to devices and after the official unveiling this week expected availability is summer 2017 at $199 USD. VRFocus will continue its coverage of 3dRudder reporting back with any further announcements.