The Next Generation of VR Productivity

“Roughly 5 months has passed since my original VR Toolbox review and I have logged well over 1,000 hours, in-helmet. It has become invaluable to me and seems unmatched in terms of flexibility and control in the “VR desktop” and “room simulation” space. As I did with the first review, I’ll talk about the competition to highlight VR Toolbox’s strengths. The original May 2016 review is below.

Virtual Desktop has been left in the dust, in terms of new features. I uninstalled it weeks ago but, last I checked the virtual screens could still not be manipulated with motion controllers. Virtual Desktop benefits from it’s spot-on name and deserves some credit for being first on the scene with a stable, usable VR desktop. Development has stagnated and it’s still what it was six months ago, though. Meanwhile, VR Toolbox has been seeing feature updates regularly. Things like improved motion control, additional customization options, better visuals and related options, webcam and FPV screens, more props, DirectX injecting and application breakout… lot’s of stuff added, most of it very useful, all while increasing overall stability. Good stuff, VR Toolbox devs. Good stuff, indeed.

Bigscreen is still a highly polished app but I feel it fills a different niche for those who would like to socialize in limited pre-rendered environments, while gaming, watching tv, movies, etc. It’s my go-to if I want to watch a movie and feel like I’m in a theatre but, that’s all. Otherwise, I feel a little caged in Bigscreen. (I am spolied by 1000+ hours of 360 degree freedom in VR Toolbox) I still think the motion controls feel “heavy”, I hate having to use both controllers to resize the screen with motion control. It’s the only thing in the app that requires both wands to be powered on. VR Toolbox does it smart by making sure only one controller is needed to accomplish everything, so your other one can be charged up and waiting. Bottom line Bigscreen is free and does many things that VR Toolbox can do but, ultimately it is on a different path than VR Toolbox and IMHO they can and should co-exist in your Library. Especially while Bigscreen in free.

Verdict: VR Toolbox still HIGHLY RECOMMENDED for control freaks, multitaskers, engineers, artists and anyone with smart-pants. Thanks, devs. VR Toolbox is spot-on what I wanted out of a VR desktop simulation and I’m glad it exists. Good stuff, bravo!

!——- Original Review Below ——-!

HIGHLY RECOMENDED

I’ll make this even more detailed soon. Wanted to get a thumbs up on record though… best of the VR desktops IMO. 

I’ll use the app “bigscreen” as a punching-bag for comparison’s sake. VR Toolbox is more resource-friendly than bigscreen and other desktop sims, even as you surround yourself with unique windows and adjust them with full 360 freedom. Touch manipulation feels light and easy compared to bigscreen’s limited-option, hefty-feeling monitors. Post-processing is a nice touch and improves visuals notably without oversampling to death … but you can do that too (I do both – looks great and very legible – see my specs at bottom). 

Developer is very responsive to feedback and implements feature requests when possible. More features are incoming, so I’ll write more when I have had a chance to test them out! Bottom-line, if you like to surround yourself with browsers, media, etc, this is the app for you. The interface could use some polish but that’s a minor gripe .. the radial menus are useable and issues with controls are more related to the touch controllers sensitivity quirks than the menus themselves. There’s enough flexibility, substance and potential here to make it worth any UI trouble.

SPECS:
Reviewed using HTC Vive CV, Intel i7 3770K at 4.2GHz and Nvidia GTX980 reference card at 1480Mhz (no cpu or gpu throttle), OS is Windows 10 Pro x64 1703.250. The OS, SteamVR (beta) and all VR Toolbox content run from SSD. SteamVR global SS is set to 1.5; in-app SS slider is maxed and in-app FXAA and post effects are on. Three hardware monitors connected (2x 1080p, 1x 1280×1024), also rendering in-app webcam window + chromium browser. Tested mostly using the “artdeco” room preset with most props removed. Beer-mode (vive built-in cam pass-thru) is usually on.”

“I am still loving this software after putting in nearly 1550 hours. What I love about this software is the nearly unlimited ability to create a room with as many screens as you want. This software is great for art work because you can bring in images as reference and continue to work in your chosen program. It is easily worth more than the asking price. It is the best desktop software for a VR Headset and I have all of the currently available programs offered on Steam that perform this task. 

The Developer is doing a great job.

I have used this program on Vive and Oculus. I am waiting to try this program on Windows Mixed Reality (hint…hint.. Developer) This program is the only missing element from the new mixed reality headsets. 

I want to take a few moments to tell you about the value of this program on the Vive (Oculus does not allow programs like OBS to run properly currently) when used in conjunction with a capture device (Camlink or elgato HD 60S) you can turn your headset into your true man cave. I currently play PS4 or view my Android phone in VR (with a Chrome Cast). I would have more hours in this program if I had more freetime. This is the first real killer app for VR. If you have this app and a strong video card and sufficient RAM you will never use your physical monitor again. 

For the price, you are obtaining the best application for VR.”

“This is an amazing program and recommend it to anybody that wants a “3D desktop”. A way to work with your oiginal desktop. Work with webapps like Google’s services (Calendar, Keep, etc.) and even place individual programs wherever you want. That plus the highly customizable 3D space you can use is amazing. You can place all kids of props to either make the space yours or even give cues to physical objects in the real world so you can work at a desk and chair or bed or whever you want. The number of props is fairly limited right now but if you’re willing to put in a bit of work, you can insert whatever 3D objects you want. You can place premade rooms or construction pieces to make your own layouts. You can place screens like Chromium based windows (for the services mentioned earlier or any webpage you want), desktop screens that are fully interacatable, VIVE headset webcam streams, or any windows program itself as it’s own “scren/window” (this feature is experimental as of right now). You can even make shortcuts to launch other steamVR games (with an external tool called HomeLoader). The way it semi-integrates with Windows 10 virtual desktop means you can even have as many monitors as you want, without the need for any additional physical monitors; a limitation I’ve found with most other programs like this.

It is amazing, the personal spaces you can create when you learn how to control everything. I have spent hours in this space having lots of fun customizing my perfect space. 

If you’re okay with a bit of a learning curve, this is hands down the best “virtual space for work” that you can find for your VR setup.”

“This is the best Virtual Office available. Not one of the VR Desktop programs are perfect, they all have their strengths and weaknesses, but VR Toolbox does everything i’ve asked of it very well if not perfectly. I work in VR with accounting softwares and i’ve spent over a month trying out all of the different programs and I’m at my most confortable [sic]and functional in my virtual office in VR Toolbox. 

I highly recomend [sic] this program not just for the program in its current state but most of all for the support and presence of the developpers [sic] in the forums.”