Category Archives: CtrlAltStudio

Second Life News 2013-44

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There is stuff going on. But, there is not much in the way of news, at least that I find interesting. Also, I am distracted by RL work.

CtrlAltStudio Adds Interface for Oculus

CtrlAltStudio Adds Interface for Oculus

CtrlAltStudio has released a new Oculus viewer version that adds in some basic user interface controls. See: Alpha 4: Some Preliminary Rift UI in the CtrlAltStudio Viewer.

It looks like CtrlAltStudio is doing some good work. I will be interested to see what Linden Lab™ comes up with for a User Interface (UI) for Oculus Rift.

SL Server Update

The main channel is not being updated. Calab Linden provided the Deploys update this week. He did not make cler if there would be a wave of restarts are not. By the time you read this you’ll know if your region restarted or not. As yet (9:45AM PDT) I haven’t received a restart notice from my in-world home. Continue reading →

CtrlAltStudio Viewer 1.0.0.34288 Released

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This update is for 3D viewers. It is not an update for Oculus users. Version labeled 1.1 as a series for Oculus users.

You can install this version over immediately previous 1.0 version series, notice that is just the immediately previous version. Otherwise you need to do a clean install.

The viewer omits the Havok® library used for Pathfinding editing of the Navmesh. So, this viewer is usable on OpenSim grids.

You need  NVIDIA’s 3D Vision with driver 314.07 or later installed and setup to get 3D. This is a shutter glasses 3D setup. Nvidia 250, Quadro, AMD HD 600, and better cards should be capable of running the viewer in 3D mode. But, you will need a monitor capable of 120hz operation and of course the shutter glasses.

You will also need to run the viewer Full Screen.

Be clear. This 3D viewer does not support anaglyph 3D.

This version is based on Firestorm 4.4.2 code.

There is a Mac OSX version and Mac OSX installer thanks to Cinder Roxley.

Download: Stereoscopic CtrlAltStudio Viewer.

New Version CtrlAltStudio Viewer

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Alpha 3 or version 1.1.0.34268 has been released. Cinder Roxely has made a Mac version.

There are changes for the Oculus Rift:

  • Added looking around with the Rift in 3rd person view.
  • Fixed projected light not being rendered correctly.
  • Fixed bad display with only Basic Shaders turned on.
  • Fixed Rift full screen resolution being used for normal and stereoscopic 3D full screen.

Get more info here: CtrlAltStudio Viewer.

Oculus Rift in Second Life’s Berlin 1920

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Jo Yardley has been talking with Björn-Christian Bönkost. Björn has a Rift SDK unit that he is using with David Rowe’s CtrlAltStudio Viewer. Björn visited Berlin in Second Life™ and Jo got him to write about it. You can read his account here: First Oculus Rift user visits Berlin.

I think for anyone thinking of trying out the Rift, Björn ‘s comments say it very well: “I was impressed, amazed and stunned. The city is bigger than anything you can find as a demo for the rift.”  Continue reading →

CtrlAltStudio Viewer 1.1.0.34244 Oculus

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There is now a viewer out with some Oculus Rift support. It is incomplete. But, according to the web site you can stick your head in and look around. See: An Initial Foray into Second Life with the Oculus Rift.

There is currently no User Interface. The author of CtrlAltStudi Viewer, David Rowe, says the Lab will soon release a Oculus Viewer with a UI. I’m not sure exactly what ‘soon’ means in this case.

As it is now:

Use the viewer as normal to get to where you want to go, then toggle into “Riftlook” mode (“3D” toolbar button or Ctrl-Alt-3) and don your Rift headset. Move your head to look around and use the arrow or WASD keys to move about. “Forwards” is the direction your Rift was pointing when you toggled into Riftlook. It makes most sense to use it while sitting down.

Jo Yardley is going to love this.

CtrlAltStudio Viewer 1.0.0.34218 Released

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CtrlAltStudio Viewer is about 3D display. This release is a ‘Main Release’ version.

This viewer does a render for use with shutter glasses, nVidia 3D Vision.

3D Controls in CtrlAltStudio Viewer

3D Controls in CtrlAltStudio Viewer

David Rowe the programmer says this is the final release for now. As the Lab and Firestorm update their viewers he will be updating the CtrlAltSudio Viewer.

Earlier I had speculated that he would be headed toward the Oculus Rift. But, in the announcement he says he will be waiting for the Lab to provide Oculus Rift support. So, am wrong. But, he does seem to intended to add Oculus support when it arrives.

Currently there are some interesting things going on. David reports he has been told about someone using an NVIDIA Quadro FX 4500 Windows system, projecting onto a 9 foot screen (2.7m) using two Christie LX34 projectors through Polaroid filters…

Someone else is using 3DTV with the viewer.

David says, “GeForce Windows and GeForce Max OSX with NVIDIA 3D Vision appear to work well, at least with recent graphics chips.”

You can download the viewer for Windows and Mac here: CtrlAltStudio Viewer 1.0.0.34218.

Note: to use 3D Vision software you need a monitor that can handle 120hz display. Most flat panels are 60hz.

CtrlAltStudio Viewer

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I am always cautious when testing new viewers. I’ve taken time to ask around to see who knows Strachan Ofarrel or has heard of CtrlAltStudio Viewer. Basically: no one in my circle of friends.

You can find the support blog for the viewer here: CtrlAltStudio. There it shows the developer as David Rowe. I suppose that is a RL name.

3D Controls in CtrlAltStudio Viewer

3D Controls in CtrlAltStudio Viewer

The CtrlAltStudio blog has been around since March 2013. The rez-day for Strachan Ofarrel is in 2006.

None of this means the viewer is safe. We have had enough rip-off viewers that one has to be careful. I can’t say it is or is not safe.

Continue reading →