Openxr tagged news

Magic Leap is fully embracing OpenXR, the industry standard API, for Magic Leap 2 development. This includes support for the standard Unity OpenXR Plugin. This change should make it easier for developers building AR apps across multiple headsets.

In this Collabora blog, Frederic Plourde reflects on the strides made in recent months. It's remarkable to see how OpenXR and Monado have evolved and are shaping the future of XR development. This blog post takes a closer look at the progress made and noteworthy achievements within the OpenXR ecosystem.

The Khronos Group has released a free OpenXR Tutorial, designed to guide software developers through every step of creating an OpenXR application using Windows, Linux or Android. This web-based tutorial, produced by the OpenXR Working Group, is packed with detailed instructions, downloadable archives, and example code snippets to support developers as they set up an OpenXR development environment, connect to their preferred graphics API, and incorporate interactivity, extensions, and other advanced features.

In this blog, OpenXR Working Group Chair Alfredo Muniz, reflects on the last year of OpenXR development within the Khronos Working Group, including updates to the specification, the release of myriad extensions to support the latest XR developments, plus an ever-evolving suite of tools that has kept OpenXR at the forefront of cross-platform XR innovation.  Alfredo also provides a glimpse of what the XR community can look forward to in 2024.

OpenXR has gained significant attention from AR, VR and MR -- collectively known as XR -- application developers and device manufacturers for its ability to simplify cross-platform development. As the OpenXR ecosystem expands to include even more devices, platforms and system architectures, such as split rendering using edge servers, there is a growing demand for a diversity of implementation choices, including open source.

The Monado open-source project from Collabora is being increasingly used in the implementation of diverse OpenXR-based systems. In this blog, we outline the significant updates and improvements that are being made to Monado thanks to the Khronos Group’s support for open-source development efforts that encourage growth of the wider OpenXR ecosystem.

Varjo has introduced the XR-4 mixed-reality headset introducing gaze-directed, high-resolution autofocus cameras in mixed reality. Supported 3D platforms and software include OpenXR, Nvidia Omniverse, Unreal Engine, Unity, Blender, EngageVR, MetaVR and Autodesk VRED.

The latest update adds VDXR, a fully functional OpenXR runtime that can be used instead of SteamVR. It works any VR application on Steam that uses the industry-standard OpenXR API. Since 2020 Valve has recommended developers use OpenXR rather than its own “OpenVR” API for SteamVR.

Virtual Desktop’s developer Guy Godin claims VDXR gives roughly 10% improved performance over using SteamVR, and beta testers have reported this to be true. The tradeoff is that you’ll lose access to SteamVR’s features, like the ability to access your desktop in-game or interact with Steam notifications and friends.

Beat Saber is one of the world’s most popular VR games, with over 6 million users across a wide array of platforms. In pursuit of a more consistent, maintainable cross-platform experience, Beat Games recently merged Beat Saber’s PC implementation using Steam VR and Oculus VR by porting to OpenXR. The result was a cleaner code base, and a more portable future for Beat Saber. Learn more in this joint blog post by Beat Games and the OpenXR Working Group.

The Khronos Group is developing a website to teach developers about OpenXR, the cross-platform API for AR and VR. The OpenXR Working Group is asking for volunteers to test the tutorial prior to launch. This is an exclusive preview of the website made available only to test volunteers. OpenXR is looking for developers of all ages and backgrounds who have an interest in native XR (AR & VR) programming. If you would like to volunteer, please complete the webform accessible via link below.

NVIDIA Omniverse spatial computing update adds support for Khronos Group's OpenXR open standard, enabling Omniverse to run on VR headsets, AR headsets, and XR glasses from manufacturers such as HTC, Magic Leap, and Varjo.

The new release also expands the OpenUSD ecosystem with new integrations and connections to Omniverse. For example, Adobe Firefly generative AI models will soon be available as APIs in Omniverse to improve design workflows.

Almalence OpenXR layer computationally corrects optical performance deficiencies in VR head-mounted displays by using a higher-resolution display panel and sharper optics with a larger eye box. Thanks to the versatility of OpenXR, Almalence's Digital Lens technology can seamlessly enhance picture quality in every compatible VR application without requiring any additional code or complex integration. The integration process is as simple as having the user install the OpenXR Layer, and the magic of Digital Lens starts working behind the scenes, elevating the visual quality of the content in a way that was previously unimaginable.

Join us Wednesday, August 9th, for a full day of Khronos BOFs at SIGGRAPH! The BOFs will take place at the JW Marriott LA Live, Platinum Salon D beginning at 10am PT. At the end of the BOFs we will have a joint networking reception with the Metaverse Standards Forum starting at 6pm. RSVP to enjoy a cold beverage with us!

Thank you to our networking reception sponsors: Cesium, LunarG, and Epic Games!

Not able to join us SIGGRAPH in-person? We’ve got you covered:

Livestream Schedule

One of the OpenXR runtimes that has risen in popularity these past few years is called Monado. Monado is developed as an open-source project and is licensed under various permissive licenses explicitly listed here: https://gitlab.freedesktop.org/monado/monado/-/tree/main/LICENSES. The main goal of the project is to improve the general suitableness of Monado when used for XR display devices and companion devices as well as enhance various select key features that are considered important by Khronos.

This RFP is being circulated to the public. - any interested organization or individual is welcome to respond. Proposals, and any questions directly related to preparing a proposal, should be sent to the Khronos mailing list at openxr_monado_improvements_rfp@lists.khronos.org. Companies considering making a bid in response to the RFP should notify the RFP list as soon as possible. The deadline for receipt of proposals is 6:00 AM PT on Thursday, 3 August 2023.

Real-time 3D development solutions provider, Unity, has introduced its Meta OpenXR package, which supports Quest 3 application development with support from integrated frameworks. The early access package lets developers experiment with many XR application technologies, such as passthrough, plane detection, device tracking, raycasting, and anchors. Moreover, the Quest 3-ready service provides developers with tools that harness Meta first-party services, including Simple AR and Anchors.

Today, Magic Leap announced that Magic Leap 2, their immersive enterprise AR device, is now conformant with OpenXR. With OpenXR on Magic Leap 2, they can now provide a range of benefits to developers and enterprises, such as:

• Solution portability
• Feature scalability
• User flexibility
• Developer accessibility
• Platform capability