General Computer Set Up
  • 16 Apr 2024
  • 3 Minutes to read
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General Computer Set Up

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Section 2: General Computer Set Up 

This section describes how to set up your computer for use with the ARwall ARFX Pro Plugin.

Section 2.1 Computer and Hardware Requirements

Before you get started, ensure that you have the hardware components listed in Table 1 below for the most optimal performance for the ARwall ARFX Pro Plugin.

Table 1: Main Components and Accessories

Main Component

Accessories

Windows PC machine with recommended Nvidia GeForce RTX 2080 graphics card or better (minimum GTX 1080)

 

  • 1 x Keyboard
  • 1 x Mouse
  • Optional: 1 x USB Hub
  • Optional: 1 x Xbox Controller and USB Dongle

Vive Pro Tracking Hardware (see Section 3: HTC Vive Motion Tracking Hardware Set Up for further information

  • Minimum: 2 x 2.0 Base Stations
  • 2 x AC power supplies for Base Stations
  • 1-2 x 2.0 or 3.0 Vive Tracker(s) 
  • 2 x USB cable for each tracker
  • 2 x USB Wireless Dongle for each tracker (label each dongle to coincide with corresponding tracker)

Optional Peripherals

  • 2 x ¼ inch ball mount adapter and stand (1 per Base Station or use an equivalent ¼ inch clamp or peripheral for mounting base stations)
  • 2 x USB extension cable (1 for each tracker)

License

  • Activation Code (provided by ARwall)
  • Steam (click link to create free account)
  • Epic Games (click link to create free account)

Section 2.2 Boot Up Computer

If you are using your own computer 

To boot up the computer, do the following:

  1. Plug in all accessories, including:
    1. Mouse
    2. Keyboard
    3. Monitor/Screen/Projector/LED wall
    4. USB Hub
    5. Any additional cables
  2. Turn on the computer

Section 2.3 Password Protection

ARwall should have provided you with an Activation Code to access the ARFX Pro Plugin. We will discuss where to enter this activation code in section Section 4.1: Installing the ARwall ARFX Pro Plugin. This product is for a SINGLE seat license on a single machine. If you would like to purchase additional seats, move to another machine, or misplace your activation code, please contact your ARwall representative or email support@arwall.co and we will provide it to you.

NOTE: According to the Terms of Sale, it is the responsibility of the purchaser to secure all ARwall IP to the best of their ability. This includes, but is not limited to, keeping your passwords secure, system password protection, and physical security locks when appropriate.

Section 2.4 Prerequisite Software Installation

If ARwall did not build and issue a computer, be sure to install the following to make sure your ARFX Pro Plugin runs seamlessly: 

  • Unreal Engine 4.27 and/or Unreal Engine 5
  • Steam
  • SteamVR
  • USB Deview
  • .NET6 or 7 Runtime
  • 7-zip
  1. Install Epic Unreal Engine 4.27 and/or Unreal Engine 5: 
    1. Instructions here: https://docs.unrealengine.com/en-US/GettingStarted/Installation/index.html
    2. Be sure to create your own free account and have that login password available. 
    3. When selecting the version to install, be sure to select 4.27 and/or 5.
  2. Install SteamVR: 
    1. Install Steam: 
      1. Instructions here: https://support.steampowered.com/kb_article.php?ref=3046-ECVN-3712
      2. Be sure to create your own free account and have that login password available for your team.
    2. Install SteamVR: 
      1. Within Steam, search for SteamVR and install (or use this external link: https://store.steampowered.com/app/250820/SteamVR/)
      2. This will assist you by showing you which Vive Pro devices are connected or not. Great for trouble shooting!
  3. Install USB Deview:
    1. After installing SteamVR, USB Deview should be found at the following location: C:\Program Files (x86)\SteamVR\tools\USBDeview\win32\USBDeview.exe
    2. If not found, follow the steps below to install USB Deview separately:
      1. Download file from here: https://www.nirsoft.net/utils/usbdeview-x64.zip
      2. Unzip the file in your desired location & install the software.
      3. This will assist you in finding your HTC Vive Serial numbers. 
  4. Install 7-zip:
    1. If your machine does not have 7-Zip, please download and install it from here: https://www.7-zip.org/
  5. Install the appropriate .NET Runtime software, which is necessary for our login system to work correctly. 
    1. If running ARFX Pro Plugin versions UE 5.1 version 62 or UE 5.2, UE 5.3 or later, please install .NET 8 Desktop Runtime: 
      1. Download .NET8 Runtime Desktop here: https://dotnet.microsoft.com/en-us/download/dotnet/8.0
        1. Direct Link (can change due to updates): https://dotnet.microsoft.com/en-us/download/dotnet/thank-you/runtime-desktop-8.0.3-windows-x64-installer
    2. If running ARFX Pro Plugin versions prior to UE 5.1 version 62 or UE 5.2 version 66, please install .NET 6 Runtime:
      1. Download .NET 6 Runtime here: https://dotnet.microsoft.com/en-us/download/dotnet/6.0/runtime  image-1668732779330
      2. Choose Run Desktop apps > Download x64 and install

BEST PRACTICE: It is recommended to pin SteamVR and USB Deview to the Windows Start Menu for ease of opening the software when needed later. To do so, right click on the EXE file and select “Pin to Start.” 

image-1668735119749

Alternatively, SteamVR can be added by clicking Windows button, searching for “SteamVR” using Microsoft Search and selecting “Pin to Start”

Section 2.5 SteamVR Software Set Up

After starting up SteamVR, if it asks you to plugin in your VR headset or HMD and does not let you see the attached Vive Trackers or Base Stations without a headset attached, do the following: 

  1. Navigate to the drive that SteamVR is installed in on Windows and locate the default.vrsettings file. It is usually located on the C Drive at C:\Program Files (x86)\SteamVR\resources\settings\default.vrsettings or C:\Program Files (x86)\Steam\config\default.vrsettings
  2. Open the default.vrsettings file with Notepad or equivalent software.
  3. Locate the line “requireHMD”: true,image-1674005548151
  4. Change the word “true” to “false” and make sure the comma after the word is still present.image-1674005571048
  5. Save the file and close. 

NOTE: If SteamVR updates, these steps may need to be repeated as SteamVR may ask for the VR headset/HMD again. 


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