Learn about how Modeler handles switching between desktop and VR and what specific knowledge you need for each platform.

Should I use VR or desktop?

Modeler is designed to have all features available on both desktop and in VR. This means that you can do anything on either desktop or VR and both platforms are treated as equals. This means that you can choose the workflow that works best for you - whether that's only on desktop, only in VR, or using a mix of both.

You may find some tasks easier in VR, while other tasks may be faster on desktop. For example, creating organic shapes like curves and wobbles may feel more natural in VR while working on manmade objects like architecture may be more comfortable on desktop.

There isn't one correct way to use modeler, whichever workflow you find fun, fast, or comfortable is the workflow that you should use.

Switch between desktop and VR

To help you find the workflow that works best it's important that switching between desktop and VR is quick and easy.

• To enter VR put your VR headset on.
• To exit VR, take the headset off.

While you are in VR the desktop application window will display what you can see in VR. By default, while you're in VR the desktop window will adjust to match your resolution. You can change how this works by toggling Letterbox display on under Edit > Preferences > Spatial.

VR and Desktop in this documentation

While most of Modeler is the same across VR and desktop, there are some aspects that are unique depending on which platform you're using. This documentation uses the following symbols to mean that a given statement is specific to a platform.

• 💻 is used to show that something is desktop specific.
• 🥽 is used to show that something is VR specific.

This is commonly used for controls or to show how a tools behavior may differ based on platform. For example:

Video and screenshots

Videos and animations in this documentation are primarily taken from the desktop perspective. This is because desktop footage is generally more comfortable to watch due to the lack of head movement associated with VR recordings. Recordings and screenshots of the VR perspective are available when VR differs significantly from desktop.

Contact us

If you find that video or text in this documentation is unclear about either platform, please contact us.

Controls across platforms

Since each platform has its own control methods, there are some unavoidable differences when working on each platform.

On desktop, you can use a keyboard with a mouse or pen to control Modeler, while in VR you can use any supported controllers.

You can learn more about desktop specific controls here, or VR controls here.

Headless mode

Headless mode is an experimental alternative to both desktop and VR mode. With headless mode, you're able to use VR controllers on desktop, removing the need to wear a VR headset. This may be more comfortable for some users that suffer from motion sickness in VR, but still want the power of 6DOF controls.

Unfortunately, your experience with headless mode depends largely on your VR hardware. For example, many headsets require the controllers to be visible to headset cameras for the controllers to be tracked. Some headsets will go to sleep if they don't move every few seconds. Other headsets have light sensors to detect if the headset it being worn before sending controller data to the computer. These limits occur at the hardware level, so we're hoping that headset and controller manufacturers will improve support for this feature going forward.