Google-Earth-VR-Pilot

FreePIE Script for Google Earth VR with Oculus Rift
Lets you pilot the virtual HTC Vive controllers within Google Earth VR with your Xbox controller.

Currently, Google Earth VR can only be used with the HTC Vive headset in full functionality. Operation is by using the HTC Vive controllers to move around in virtual reality. In order to use Google Earth VR with the Oculus Rift, a software solution can be used that emulates the controllers of the HTC Vive. The software setup uses FreePIE to control the SteamVR Driver for Razer Hydra. This driver in turn emulates the HTC Vive controllers for use in Google Earth VR.

Downloads

Download FreePIE from: http://andersmalmgren.github.io/FreePIE/

Download "SteamVR Driver for Razer™ Hydra" on Steam from: http://store.steampowered.com/app/491380/

Installation

FreePIE and the SteamVR driver must be installed first.

Then two files have to be replaced:

• In the FreePIE program directory, find the files sixense_fake.dll and sixense_fake_x64.dll.

• Find the directories Win32 and Win64 under the following path:

  "C:\Program Files (x86)\Steam\steamapps\common\SteamVR Driver for Razer Hydra\hydra\bin"

• Copy sixense_fake.dll to the Win32 subdirectory.

• Copy sixense_fake_x64.dll to the Win64 subdirectory.

• Delete or rename the original sixense.dll in the Win32 directory. Then rename the file sixense_fake.dll to sixense.dll.

• Delete or rename the original sixense_x64.dll in the Win64 directory. Then rename the file sixense_fake_x64.dll to sixense_x64.dll.

Operation

To use Google Earth VR with the emulated Hydra controllers, you must start FreePIE first. Load the attached script gevr_xbox_vive_emulation.py in FreePIE and start it with F5.

After that start Google Earth VR (via Steam). After a short time, you will be prompted to press any key on the controllers. Then press both triggers of the Xbox controller.

Then hold LB and RB and press START button. Initialization of the control is now complete.

How the HTC Vive controls work

The left Vive controller can be used like a flashlight pointer to grab and move the virtual world by pulling the trigger. Other buttons allow you to open and scroll the menu, fly and rotate the world.

The right Vive controller holds a mini-globe to display the current world position, which is also displayed with text.
The buttons on this controller can be used to scroll through the menu or to save the current view as a snapshot.

Watch the tutorial (see menu) to get an introduction to the operation of the buttons.

Operation using the Xbox controller

Interacting with the virtual world is mainly done with the left Vive controller. Therefore, the Xbox controls primarily affect this controller.

To affect the right Vive controller, the RB key must be pressed and held.

• You can change the orientation of a Vive controller by using the Left Stick of the Xbox controller. Pitch and yaw of the controller are changed.
• The position of a Vive controller can be changed with the Right Stick, the D-Pad or the Left Stick while the LB button is pressed:
  • The D-Pad moves a Vive controller horizontally along its axes.
  • A stick moves a controller vertically or makes it circle around the origin.
  • A thumb press returns a controller to its starting point.
    Press the left or the right thumb for the respective controller.

Button assignment and function

Xbox controller button	HTC Vive controller button	Function
Left Trigger	Left Trigger	Grab earth or sky Click menu Slow down flight
Right Trigger	Right Trigger	No function
Face button B	bbb	Fly forward Scroll forward in menu
Face button A	aaa	Fly backwards Scroll backwards in menu
Face button Y	yyy	Open or close menu
Face button X	xxx	Hold to rotate landscape with the Left Stick