Can I run AH without Steam in VR?

[JoeZee]

I would really like to be rid of Steam.  I have Pimax Crystal Light headset.  Without Steam VR installed and AH launched from the Pimax play window, AH launches in normal mode not in VR mode.  If I have Steam VR mode installed and I launch AH from the start menu it asks if I want VR and I say yes and it will launch in Steam VR then run AH in VR mode.  If I launch AH from the Pimax window it will launch AH and ask if I want VR and I say yes it then launches Steam VR and runs in VR mode.  I want to be rid of Steam.  I have the game installed natively, not thru Steam.

[JimmyD3]

Joe I am not familiar with the Pimax myself, but we have several players  that us it, Randy1 being one of them. I'm sure they'll get with you and help  you out. 

[hazmatt]

I've used two different vr headsets without steam and it worked but I launched the game straight and did not use the vr software. You should be able to launch AH3 it should ask you if you want to use VR on the screen and launch the vr headset after you click yes if I remember correctly.

[JoeZee]

I have tried 6 or more different ways to configure Pimax Play in an attempt to run it without Steam VR.  There appears to be 2 ways VR is supported by AH, one is Steam VR and the other is Oculus VR.  I can run Pimax and AH without Steam VR but the VR stream to the headset is not there, just the audio.  Pimax uses Open VR natively, but AH does not seem to support that.  Another solution is a different but similar VR app to Steam VR.  My goal was to eliminate any unnecessary intermediate apps.  But that is not possible.  So, I will have to live with the Steam VR.  The problem I have with Steam, besides it using resources, is sometimes when I start AH and put on the headset there will be a Steam pop up asking me if I want to resume the game.  The only way to clear that is to use the hand controllers, however having those powered on interferes with the gameplay.  I prefer to keep them powered off.  In order to clear the pop up requires powering on a hand controller, using it to clear the pop up, powering off the hand controller, restarting AH and hoping the pop up does not reappear.

[hazmatt]

I remember being able to clear the popup using a mouse. Have you tried that? I never used my controllers with VR in AH3.

[hitech]

I should be able to pad IMAX support in a week or two for you.

HiTech

[Eagler]

I use steam with my pimax in AH..

Same when I'm using the quest 2 in the 5th wheel..

I have to clear the screen with the quest controllers but I don't have problems with that . .

I don't get that with the pimax..I click on AH to make sure the focus is on it b4 putting on the headset   

Eagler

[mustng2]

I have a similar problem with the Quest 3.  I tried running Virtual Desktop instead of Meta Link because there is currently a glitch between the link software and the latest (back to December 25) Nvidia drivers which causes lockups and Virtual Desktop is supposedly a superior program.   Virtual Desktop opens steam VR no matter what I do.  It runs, but there is a distortion outside of the center viewing area.  For example, in the tower looking straight ahead the legs of the desks to the left lean to the left.  When I turn my head and look at the desks the legs are straight.  In game when I look up or to the side at another plane the other plane jumps into position like it is warping.  I only have one other PC VR game and Virtual Desktop works fine with it.

[Eagler]

I find the constant updates from meta a pita...

I start the laptop 1st which opens meta app..

I then connect the cable and slip on the headset while grabbing the right controller..

That allows me to click on the enable cable link pop up..

From there it's only mouse dot click as I don't use the oculus controllers in game..

Eagler

[mustng2]

I got the Meta Link to work by rolling my Nvidia driver back to December 2025, but I would like to get the virtual desktop program to work.

[hitech]

It appears switching to openXR would solve most issues.

HiTech

[Randy1]

It appears switching to openXR would solve most issues.

HiTech

Just adding a bit of information.  Iracing gives access to OpenXR, OpenVR, Oculus, and CloudVR.  CloudVR, and OpenVR are the least used.  DeskTop is most commonly used with oculus headsets.  OpenXR is most often used which is considered a bit more up to date than SteamVR.

Pimax runs better and easier using OpenXR since Pimax play has OpenXR direct access.  Pimax has a separate button for SieamVR that has to be pressed where OpenXR is auto selected in pimax play. 

SteamVR has an update that kind of screwed up AH using SteamVR which I think is called desktop management.

[mustng2]

In the Virtual Desktop Streamer, if I choose Open XR, not auto select, it still opens Steam VR and I have the distortion previously described.  When I start AH it gives me an option of using my oculus and then the option to use Open XR.  I have tried all 3 combinations (Oculus, Open XR and both) and still get the distortion.  Since I have not been able to make it run without Steam VR I don't know if that would help or not.  I do not have the distortion problem with Meta Link or my one other PC VR game on Virtual Desktop.  I have not tried uninstalling Steam and Steam VR.


I have a similar problem with the Quest 3.  I tried running Virtual Desktop instead of Meta Link because there is currently a glitch between the link software and the latest (back to December 25) Nvidia drivers which causes lockups and Virtual Desktop is supposedly a superior program.   Virtual Desktop opens steam VR no matter what I do.  It runs, but there is a distortion outside of the center viewing area.  For example, in the tower looking straight ahead the legs of the desks to the left lean to the left.  When I turn my head and look at the desks the legs are straight.  In game when I look up or to the side at another plane the other plane jumps into position like it is warping.  I only have one other PC VR game and Virtual Desktop works fine with it.

[Puma44]

It appears switching to openXR would solve most issues.

HiTech

Always in favor of less issues.