ThingLink Virtual Reality (VR)

ThingLink 360 images and videos can be viewed in virtual reality (VR) mode. This article provides an overview of controls, limitations and certain specifics of creating and viewing ThingLink in VR:

• What tag content works in VR?
• General limitations
• Compatible headsets
• How to view ThingLink in VR
• Known issues

Are you using ClassVR headsets? Please see this article to learn about our special integration.

What tag content works in VR?

1. Images
2. Audio recordings
3. Text labels
4. Transit tags & conditional transitions
5. Videos uploaded into text & media tags
6. Poll tags

General limitations for viewing rich media content in VR

Note that as VR functionality is still in active development. As a result, there are certain limitations that should be kept in mind when preparing content for VR:

1. Clicking web links in image & text tags is not supported in VR mode.
2. Tags with embedded content from the web (including embeds from ThingLink) are not supported.
3. External videos (e.g. YouTube) are not supported.
4. Text label tags may display fewer characters than they do in normal mode.
5. Animated pictures (GIFs and aPNGs) won't be animated.
6. Color styling/customization for text & media tags is not supported.
7. Floor plans in virtual tours are not supported.
8. Guided mode & locked are not supported.

We recommend using Google Chrome for previewing VR content on your computer.

Compatible headsets

ThingLink VR mode is built using WebXR technology. As a result, ThingLink should be compatible with all 3 DoF and 6 DoF VR headsets that are compatible with WebXR technology. You can check whether your headset is compatible with WebXR on this page ('Target hardware') or on the manufacturer’s website.

We’ve tested and confirmed ThingLink’s functionality on the following models:

• Meta Quest (also known as Oculus Quest), Meta Quest 2, Meta Quest Pro and Meta Quest 3
• Pico Neo 3, Pico Neo 4 (via Pico Browser). Note that Pico Neo 2 is not compatible with ThingLink
• HTC VIVE Focus 3. Note that you will need to install the Wolvic browser from VIVE Business AppStore  
• Oculus Rift, Oculus Go
• Samsung Gear VR
• HMD Odyssey (Windows Mixed Reality Headset)
• Google Cardboard with any modern Android or iOS smartphone. Note that the smartphone experience is limited. 
• ClassVR (Learn more in this article)

Note that if your headset does not support WebXR natively, you might be able to use ThingLink via a third-party browser that supports WebXR - Firefox Reality (discontinued) or Wolveric.

How to view ThingLink in VR

Opening ThingLink in VR:

1. On your PC, open your scene then click the 'Share' button and navigate to the 'View in VR' tab.
2. Either copy the link or click the 'Get short link' button to generate a short link:
   
   
3. If your viewers will be using their phones, simply share the VR link. If your viewers will be using VR headsets, copy the short code and follow the steps below.
4. Open the default browser on your headset (e.g. Oculus browser, Mixed Reality browser)
5. Go to thinglink.com/vr
6. Enter your shortcode and use the 'Open' button.
   

Viewing without a controller:

• Move your head to change the view direction
• Look at a hotspot or interface element for 1.5 seconds to activate it. Your current point of view is indicated by a white dot in the middle of the screen.

Viewing with a controller:

• Move your head or use the stick to change the view direction
• Point your controller at a tag or interface element and click the trigger button to activate it

Please note that at the moment not all controllers may be supported.

General controls:

• Point at the ‘Close tag’ button to close a tag
• If there are multiple images/videos in a tag, you can scroll through them using the left and right arrow buttons
• Use the 'Up' and 'Down' buttons to scroll through long description text
• Use the 'Pause'/'Play' button to control tag videos

• Look down to show the player menu:
  • Use the 'Exit VR' button in the player menu to exit the VR experience.
  • Use the 'Back' button in the player menu if you are stuck in your tour
  • Use the 'Mute/Unmute' buttons to mute or unmute the background audio

Viewing ThingLink VR from your phone

While it is possible to view ThingLink VR from a phone, you would still need a headset similar to Google Cardboard.

If you are having trouble viewing VR from your phone, please make sure that you are using the latest OS version. If your phone is running on Android, make sure to enable WebVR for Android. Older devices may be unable to load VR mode due to a lack of processing power. 

Known issues

• In rare cases, the video and audio tracks do not load properly. If you encounter this issue, simply reload the experience.
• 360 videos and 2D videos are currently not supported on Android. We recommend using iOS devices or standalone headsets, like Oculus Quest.