In this topic, we will explain settings in UC-win/Road to optimize device behavior and image display when connecting UC-win/Road and each device.

Connection with each device for driving

Game controllers available for the driving in UC-win/Road are roughly divided into 2 types. Steering type game controllers have a separate steering and pedals, and the driving operation is the same as that of real cars. Gamepad type game controllers are equipped with directional pad and analog stick. Both types of controllers can be used for driving, walking, and flight in UC-win/Road. Here we will explain controllers that can be connected with USB.

Fig.1 Steering type controller and gamepad

Allocation of axis

To open the game controller setting screen, go to "File" - "Application Options" - "Game Controller Options". In the setting screen, select your game controller at the upper left and check "Drive/Walker uses game controller".

Users operate the steering and pedals of steering type controller or sticks of gamepad to check which axis reacts to each operation. The figure 2 shows an example of reaction when the gas pedal is pressed. In case of this controller, "Throttle" axis swings to the minus side when the gas pedal is pressed and to the plus side when the brake pedal is pressed, but this reaction would be different according to the device setting.

Fig.2 Reaction when the gas pedal is pressed

After checking the reaction of axis, assign axes that made a reaction to the Accelerator and Brake at the upper right. Here we assigned "Throttle" to both, but the vehicle behavior in UC-win/Road and the actual pedal operation is opposite because minus signal comes when the gas pedal is pressed and plus signal comes when the brake pedal is pressed. In that case, the motion will be correct by checking in "Reverse" (Fig.3). Then operate the steering, confirm which axis reacts, and assign it to "Left/Right".

Fig.3 Axis allocation setting for each operation

Allocation of buttons

When driving with a game controller, users can use buttons to operate blinker, head light, and wiper, etc. The same as the assignment of axes, confirm numbers of each button and set it to each operation. To change allocation, click button number in each item to open the "Please press a button" screen and press a button to be assigned (Fig.4).

Fig.4 Button allocation setting

Adjust Drive Responsiveness

Users can change the degree of reaction for steering and pedals in the game controller option. In case of the steering type controller, the default steering responsiveness is 3.00 and the default pedal responsiveness is 1.00. When the number in responsiveness is 1, vehicle behavior is linear and proportional to the amount of operation. The reaction against operation is small at first if the number in the responsiveness is big, but it becomes stronger as the amount of operation increases.

Fig.5 Drive Responsiveness Settings

Setting of connection with HMD

When HMD such as Oculus Rift is connected to UC-win/Road, improper settings cause rough image display and low performance. Here we explain the optimized settings for connection with HMD.

Fig.6 Examples of HMD connectable to UC-win/Road (* Only playing of omnidirectional video is supported.)

Quality setting

To decrease jaggy on a polygon contour and display smooth edges, check in the multi-sampling anti-aliasing. Images become smoother as the value becomes bigger, but the balance between appearance and frame rate is important since it affects the frame rate. This setting can be changed for all connectable HMDs.

Field of View (FOV) setting

The angle of view of image displayed on left eye and right eye each can be adjusted at 0.1 degree intervals up, down, left and right. How image display changes according to the change of angle of view depends on each HMD device. In case of Oculus Rift, different from the angle of view of UC-win/Road, the enlargement ratio doesn't change but the size of display area changes.In case of HTC Vive, the display area size doesn't change and the enlargement ratio changes. When the ratio of angle of VR view is adjusted, the enlargement ratio against the whole display area changes. This setting can also be adjusted for all HMDs.

Setting for Oculus Rift

The HUD display setting is a setting specific to Oculus Rift. The HUD is a function to display multimedia images and videos by using script and scenario. When users specify a position relative to the line of view and the stereoscopic image size, message, static image, and video can be displayed in the air, following the point of view.

Fig.7 HUD display

Setting for HTC Vive

IPD (InterPupillary Distance) can be set for HTC Vive. Since the distance between both eyes varies depending on individual, users would see double image, get tired soon, or feel hard to focus on an image if the IPD is not appropriate. The setting can be changed from both of the HTC Vive side and UC-win/Road side.

In addition, users can use a controller to display the menu on the screen, play script / animation, execute scenario, and move camera view point. The layout and design of menu can be changed in the setting screen.

Fig.8 Displaying menu screen

Fig.9 When selecting a hand model for the display of Vive controller

HTC Vive can display the position of controller in hand in the virtual space. The position, scale, and model of controller display can be set in the device tab in the setting screen. User selected 3D model can be used for the controller display. For example, users can create a 3D hand model and display it in the space in order to reproduce the hand motion of wearer in the virtual space.

Setting for FOVE

FOVE connected to UC-win/Road can execute the eye tracking function. On the setting screen, users can configure the calibration of line of view during wearing FOVE and size setting of a marker showing the position of sight. The angle of view can be changed same as other HMD.

Fig.10 A marker showing the line of view

Conclusion

Adjusting the settings of game controller reduces discomfort during driving. Users can utilize HMDs enough with the default HMD connection setting, but performance and convenience may improve if the settings explained in this topic are changed. Since a low performance during using HMDs causes a VR sickness easily, we recommend users to review the HMD settings.