VR-Plugin releases VR-Plugin 5.0

VR-Plugin has released VR-Plugin 5.0, the latest version of its Maya plugin for viewing and editing VR content, formerly known as mOculus.io. The update adds support for the HTC Vive headset and for gamepad navigation.

Navigate Maya scenes in virtual reality
VR-Plugin enables artists to view and navigate Maya scenes through a virtual reality headset: previously just the Oculus Rift, but also now the HTC Vive – presumably the reason for the change of name.

Users can reorient scene cameras or parent them to animated locators, as shown in this workflow demo.

As well as a free Viewer edition, it comes in a commercial Professional edition, which enables users to record footage from a VR scene, and adds a multi-camera list.

Both versions of the plugin display many of the features of Maya’s Viewport 2.0, including lights, shadows and antialiasing; and if you’re using the Professional edition, ambient occlusion, DoF and motion blur.

New in version 5.0: HTC Vive support, gamepad navigation, UI updates
As well as support for the Vive, version 5.0 of the plugin adds support for gamepad navigation, with users able to use the thumbsticks of a standard game controller to navigate a scene.

It also updates the plugin’s UI and adds a new desktop viewing mode.

Pricing and availability
VR-Plugin 5.0 is available for Maya 2014 and above, running on Windows 7 and above. The Viewer edition is free for non-commercial use; the Professional edition costs $299.

Read more about VR-Plugin 5.0 on the product’s website
(Includes link to download the free Viewer edition)