DIY Oculus Rift - schematics, instructions and build pics!

Post by **rfurlan** » Sun Sep 09, 2012 12:18 pm

space123321 wrote:LOL - sorry! I am now onto version 3 of my HMD - will now be a more permanent solution getting away from the foam core sheets.

What are you going to use?

Post by **TheLostBrain** » Mon Sep 10, 2012 1:32 pm

Hey gents!

Had a bit of time over the weekend and decided to take a stab at this myself. Got the design done, nested into some virtual stock and the cnc toolpaths completed.. but have yet to cut 'er out lol. If get a chance may run it tonight.

I designed against the lenses Palmer recommend to rfurlan and using ~3mm birch ply for the housing construction material (10"x24" sheet from Michael's arts and crafts < $5).

Because I already had a double-ratcheted headband (OakTreeGroup, llc.) I went with a more traditional HMD 'look' (vs a strapped-ski mask approach).

Whole thing is designed to go together with a bit of hot glue and 2 small screws. In the end it has 3 main parts:
1) The outer shell (including top, sides and front (and mounting bracket even though it's adjustable))
2) The lens / nose assembly (consisting of lenses, mounting plate, nose and bottom)
3) The electronics-mounting board (which manages all electronics and wiring and is designed to slide in and out of the outer shell once the lens/nose assembly is removed).

Will take some progress shots and post for anyone interested and I'll go ahead and share the design files and cnc-toolpaths too once I build it and confirm there's no gotchas in the design.

Post by **rfurlan** » Mon Sep 10, 2012 1:49 pm

TheLostBrain wrote:Hey gents!

Had a bit of time over the weekend and decided to take a stab at this myself. Got the design done, nested into some virtual stock and the cnc toolpaths completed.. but have yet to cut 'er out lol. If get a chance may run it tonight.

I designed against the lenses Palmer recommend to rfurlan and using ~3mm birch ply for the housing construction material (10"x24" sheet from Michael's arts and crafts < $5).

Because I already had a double-ratcheted headband (OakTreeGroup, llc.) I went with a more traditional HMD 'look' (vs a strapped-ski mask approach).

Whole thing is designed to go together with a bit of hot glue and 2 small screws. In the end it has 3 main parts:
1) The outer shell (including top, sides and front (and mounting bracket even though it's adjustable))
2) The lens / nose assembly (consisting of lenses, mounting plate, nose and bottom)
3) The electronics-mounting board (which manages all electronics and wiring and is designed to slide in and out of the outer shell once the lens/nose assembly is removed).

Will take some progress shots and post for anyone interested and I'll go ahead and share the design files and cnc-toolpaths too once I build it and confirm there's no gotchas in the design.

This is awesome, please keep us posted

Post by **fireslayer26** » Mon Sep 10, 2012 1:58 pm

Wow, looks very nice indeed!

Post by **Fredz** » Mon Sep 10, 2012 2:05 pm

TheLostBrain wrote:Here you can see the lenses Palmer recommend to rfurlan... Decided to leave them in their mounts in this particular design.

Is that not a problem with your nose ? I removed them from the mounts because it was not possible to have them centered on the eyes in my case.

Post by **Dycus** » Mon Sep 10, 2012 2:20 pm

Awesome, I love wood cases! Can't wait to see it finished.

Post by **zacherynuk** » Mon Sep 10, 2012 4:28 pm

I've thrown together a poor-mans rift clone now also. I cannot wait for the lenses to arrive!

If I find suitable UK / Europe materials I'll let you know, in the mean time, I'll be spending the time between now and getting the lenses working out the best way of getting games to work... I think I need a DVI splitter, to be able to configure the HMD before donning!

http://www.wastedspace.co.uk/cms/2012/0 ... irst-rift/

Post by **simmoi** » Mon Sep 10, 2012 8:20 pm

Here we go, had some time free.. got slightly motivated.. I hope to build into a ski mask soon~

When i got it all hooked up, turned it on, looked in through the lenses and moved around, it was amazing.

I need more stuff to run. I'm not really hardware or software guy, hackerish/tinker dude.
I am experiencing teething issues like most others, will need to replace the lenses as using ultra optix 5x.

No tracking as of yet

Post by **brantlew** » Mon Sep 10, 2012 8:41 pm

Good job simmoi. Damn, everybody is already going to have a Rift before November it seems.

Post by **3dvison** » Mon Sep 10, 2012 9:45 pm

I know it would only be a guess.
But do you think a DIY RIFT, will be able to work with games and drivers that are being made for the Real RIFT (Non-DIY) ?
I know the DIY RIFT, is using different lenses than the Real RIFT, but do you think the DIY lenses are close enough to the real thing, to still look good with a Real RIFT's games and drivers ?

Post by **rfurlan** » Mon Sep 10, 2012 10:17 pm

3dvison wrote:I know it would only be a guess.
But do you think a DIY RIFT, will be able to work with games and drivers that are being made for the Real RIFT (Non-DIY) ?
I know the DIY RIFT, is using different lenses than the Real RIFT, but do you think the DIY lenses are close enough to the real thing, to still look good with a Real RIFT's games and drivers ?

It is certainly possible but is hard to say for sure. If you want something that "just works" then it is best to wait for the real thing. I can only speak for myself but I think that for many of us, this isn't only about building a Rift but about learning more about HMD design in general.

Post by **PalmerTech** » Tue Sep 11, 2012 12:50 am

Slightly better lenses, and different screen. The Rift is going to have an even wider field of view than we have been showing, with better response and colors to boot! These DIY Rifts will probably not work with Oculus Ready games, sorry.

Super cool to see all these DIY Rifts pop up, though. Goes to show how simple it is to make pretty sweet HMDs! I think there have been more DIY HMDs in the past two weeks than the last several years combined.

Post by **rfurlan** » Tue Sep 11, 2012 3:25 am

PalmerTech wrote:Slightly better lenses, and different screen. The Rift is going to have an even wider field of view than we have been showing, with better response and colors to boot!

That is great to hear, 256k colors with the HV056WX1 is workable but not ideal. Is the resolution still the same?

PalmerTech wrote:These DIY Rifts will probably not work with Oculus Ready games, sorry.

Probably not out-of-the box but software is malleable, so it depends on how motivated you are. In the long run, if the Rift API/SDK becomes the accepted standard, anyone building a HMD is likely to aim for compatibility, be it by matching specs or through modified drivers. Likewise official yet modded Rifts will eventually drift away from the baseline specs and may require software mods too.

PalmerTech wrote:Super cool to see all these DIY Rifts pop up, though. Goes to show how simple it is to make pretty sweet HMDs! I think there have been more DIY HMDs in the past two weeks than the last several years combined.

Thanks to you Palmer, hopefully in a few years we are going to look back and remember you as the man who finally brought VR into mainstream

Post by **zacherynuk** » Tue Sep 11, 2012 3:41 am

PalmerTech wrote:Slightly better lenses, and different screen. The Rift is going to have an even wider field of view than we have been showing, with better response and colors to boot! These DIY Rifts will probably not work with Oculus Ready games, sorry.

I do hope the consumer Rift will be usable with more than just "Rift Compatible" games, as long as you can pump side by side into it I would say that a couple of options would be:
1) border the side by side input with a black strip, effectively shrinking the screen, giving a lower FOV (but still 60 or so) but limiting the need for software de-warp
2) Have some plastic concave snap-ons to optically 'pull-back' the image to make it usable with non-warped software

One of the things I played with last night was my head tracked FPV rig; http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CDpolBRDKcQ&list and the extra FOV was immensely satisfying; I think the FPV RC enthusiast will be a prime Rift target.

PalmerTech wrote:Super cool to see all these DIY Rifts pop up, though. Goes to show how simple it is to make pretty sweet HMDs! I think there have been more DIY HMDs in the past two weeks than the last several years combined.

Agreed! MTBS3D - will soon be asking OR to pay for some bandwidth costs!

Post by **marbas** » Tue Sep 11, 2012 5:04 am

simmoi wrote:Here we go, had some time free.. got slightly motivated.. I hope to build into a ski mask soon~ When i got it all hooked up, turned it on, looked in through the lenses and moved around, it was amazing.

I need more stuff to run. I'm not really hardware or software guy, hackerish/tinker dude.
I am experiencing teething issues like most others, will need to replace the lenses as using ultra optix 5x.

No tracking as of yet

Hi!
Glad to see my distortion test app being put to good use

How does it look through the lenses? Are you able to tweak the values to get acceptable visual results?
As I've started working on a game idea for the Rift I have abandoned this project for now. But let me know If there is something I can do to improve the distortion test application.

Post by **MrGreen** » Tue Sep 11, 2012 6:29 am

PalmerTech wrote:Slightly better lenses, and different screen. The Rift is going to have an even wider field of view than we have been showing, with better response and colors to boot!

You're talking about the consumer-Rift, not the dev one right? Are the dev kit specs final or is there a chance it gets "upgraded" compared to the prototype you've been showing?

Post by **jaybug** » Tue Sep 11, 2012 6:32 am

Pretty sure he's talking about the dev kit.

Post by **MrGreen** » Tue Sep 11, 2012 6:36 am

jaybug wrote:Pretty sure he's talking about the dev kit.

Post by **3dvison** » Tue Sep 11, 2012 6:53 am

jaybug wrote:Pretty sure he's talking about the dev kit.

That would be cool, I hope you are right jaybug.
But if you are wrong, it dosent really matter, after all, I don't think I can get too mad at someone called "jaybug"

Post by **TheLostBrain** » Tue Sep 11, 2012 10:59 am

Ok back with updates... Cut it out and slapped it together!

Came out pretty good...better than I expected for a first run actually.

Couple Issues:
1) Weight! Although still very usable it's definitely heavier than foam board, etc by far. Think I may look into alternative materials and an even simpler design at some point because of this.
2) Angled back of head-mounting bracket needs just a bit more 'anglin' (that a word?) to hit that sweet spot for fit.
3) As Fredz mentioned...there is indeed a bit of nose interference w/ the factory lens mounts..so will likely redesign to avoid these altogether. Hell, may just cnc up another lens assembly specific to this configuration...something w/ larger diameters and cut-away nose area.

At some point may give 'er a good sanding and a fresh coat of krylon to really 'complete' it.

Works fantastic though...huge FOV...excellent stereo imaging. Really awesome stuff

Will probably post a few last pics later of the cables ran and imagery through lenses, etc.

Post by **rfurlan** » Tue Sep 11, 2012 11:20 am

TheLostBrain wrote: Couple Issues:
1) Weight! Although still very usable it's definitely heavier than foam board, etc by far. Think I may look into alternative materials and an even simpler design at some point because of this.
2) Angled back of head-mounting bracket needs just a bit more 'anglin' (that a word?) to hit that sweet spot for fit.
3) As Fredz mentioned...there is indeed a bit of nose interference w/ the factory lens mounts..so will likely redesign to avoid these altogether. Hell, may just cnc up another lens assembly specific to this configuration...something w/ larger diameters and cut-away nose area.

Looking great!!!

You mention that it is a bit heavier than foam-board - but it is heavy enough to be an issue or are you generally happy with it?

Post by **fireslayer26** » Tue Sep 11, 2012 11:21 am

Wow! Very nice work! What kind of wood are you using? I know at my local hobby shop they have some very light weight wood that could probably work as well.

*EDIT* Nevermind, found it.

I designed against the lenses Palmer recommend to rfurlan and using ~3mm birch ply for the housing construction material (10"x24" sheet from Michael's arts and crafts < $5).

Post by **CiNEPHiL** » Tue Sep 11, 2012 11:30 am

Kind of steampunk style

Looks fantastic

Post by **brantlew** » Tue Sep 11, 2012 11:44 am

Very nice, indeed.

Post by **MrGreen** » Tue Sep 11, 2012 12:03 pm

I'm jelly!

With my skill set I have to wait for Palmer to make me one. Hurry up Palmer! These guys are mocking me!

Post by **Dycus** » Tue Sep 11, 2012 1:08 pm

Looks super sexy.

I want to make some vacuum-formed ones. Or is somebody gonna beat me to it?

Post by **rfurlan** » Tue Sep 11, 2012 1:27 pm

Dycus wrote:Looks super sexy.
I want to make some vacuum-formed ones. Or is somebody gonna beat me to it?

As a software guy with little experience building real-world things, I am consumed by rapid manufacturing envy

Can anyone recommend a great book or site to learn the basic techniques used to prototype physical objects? (CNC, vacuum-forming, etc.)

Post by **TheLostBrain** » Tue Sep 11, 2012 2:41 pm

rfurlan wrote:
Dycus wrote:Looks super sexy.
I want to make some vacuum-formed ones. Or is somebody gonna beat me to it?
As a software guy with little experience building real-world things, I am consumed by rapid manufacturing envy

Can anyone recommend a great book or site to learn the basic techniques used to prototype physical objects? (CNC, vacuum-forming, etc.)

I found this book pretty informative and entertaining:
http://www.amazon.com/Better-Be-Running ... 0979576024

It was written by the guy who runs this place I believe:
http://www.quickparts.com/Home.aspx?s_k ... nQodR1QAGA

...which also happens to have a learning center:
http://www.quickparts.com/LearningCenter.aspx

Lot's of good resources out there

*Edit: I should add that that particular book is more of an overview of the technologies available for rapid prototyping (covering different types of 3d printing, CNC'ing, etc).. and less of a lesson on particular design strategies, etc. Still found it enlightening myself though. Oh and the guy definitely plugs his own site/services in it lol.

Post by **TheLostBrain** » Tue Sep 11, 2012 2:50 pm

Dycus wrote:Looks super sexy.

I want to make some vacuum-formed ones. Or is somebody gonna beat me to it?

Won't beat you to vacuum-formed... but I do have one of these that's been built and sitting in the garage for close to a year now.

http://www.ultimaker.com/

I've yet to play around with with plastic design but probably should as it's a much more appropriate candidate for housings than my CNC'd birch ply I suppose

Looking forward to seeing what you come up with

Post by **TheLostBrain** » Tue Sep 11, 2012 2:52 pm

rfurlan wrote:
TheLostBrain wrote: Looking great!!!
You mention that it is a bit heavier than foam-board - but it is heavy enough to be an issue or are you generally happy with it?

Thanks

Yeah it's light enough that I will definitely use it...but it's heavy enough that I will definitely design something lighter

Post by **Dycus** » Tue Sep 11, 2012 3:10 pm

TheLostBrain wrote:
Dycus wrote:Looks super sexy.

I want to make some vacuum-formed ones. Or is somebody gonna beat me to it?
Won't beat you to vacuum-formed... but I do have one of these that's been built and sitting in the garage for close to a year now. http://www.ultimaker.com/

I've yet to play around with with plastic design but probably should as it's a much more appropriate candidate for housings than my CNC'd birch ply I suppose

Looking forward to seeing what you come up with

Aw, lucky! I've wanted a 3D printer for a long, long time. 3D printer and CNC... all I have is a Dremel.

No idea when I'll be making some vacuum-formed ones, if I ever do before the dev kits come out. It's just an idea. If I do, though, I'm sure you guys will be seeing it!

Post by **IGameArt** » Tue Sep 11, 2012 3:36 pm

Dycus, you dont need a 3d printer if you use a service like Shapeways.com. Of course the only downfall, if you can call it that, is anyone will have the ability to print your files, of course after paying to do so.

Post by **rfurlan** » Tue Sep 11, 2012 3:54 pm

Dycus wrote:Aw, lucky! I've wanted a 3D printer for a long, long time. 3D printer and CNC... all I have is a Dremel.

3D printers are awesome if you can afford a deposition printer. My limited experience with thermoplastic extrusion printers (the cheaper ones) is that they have very low yields - not only they are slow (6-8 hours for a small job) but most printed objects are flawed. It can also take 2-3 hours before you realize you will have to abort.

Took me 3 days (7 attempts) to print this part (picture) with this printer (http://bit.ly/wFtCKm):

Post by **simmoi** » Tue Sep 11, 2012 8:24 pm

marbas wrote: Hi!
Glad to see my distortion test app being put to good use
How does it look through the lenses? Are you able to tweak the values to get acceptable visual results?
As I've started working on a game idea for the Rift I have abandoned this project for now. But let me know If there is something I can do to improve the distortion test application.

Hi! It worked very well, Looks great through lenses, edges are a little blurry (due to using ultraoptix lenses I think) but visual results were great without even tweaking !

If I do try it again, I'll do some tweaking and let you know how it goes.

Thanks

Post by **rfurlan** » Tue Sep 11, 2012 10:36 pm

TheLostBrain wrote:I found this book pretty informative and entertaining:
http://www.amazon.com/Better-Be-Running ... 0979576024

It was written by the guy who runs this place I believe:
http://www.quickparts.com/Home.aspx?s_k ... nQodR1QAGA

...which also happens to have a learning center:
http://www.quickparts.com/LearningCenter.aspx

Thank you for the links! Already ordered the book going through the learning center now

Post by **sellars** » Wed Sep 12, 2012 9:09 am

TheLostBrain wrote: Couple Issues:
1) Weight! Although still very usable it's definitely heavier than foam board, etc by far. Think I may look into alternative materials and an even simpler design at some point because of this.

I'd suggest not changing your material (at least for a first trial) - and cutting out the centre of each panel to either leave a outline frame for each side (including maybe the front), or if you need more rigidity, leave a cross brace. Then cover the outside with something light fast (few layers of duct tape works). This should drastically cut down the weight, keep the rigidity, and save looking for more materials

I created mine using an ABS project box, and while it's pretty light, I could save even more weight with the above, but I'm happy with it for now

Post by **TheLostBrain** » Wed Sep 12, 2012 10:42 am

sellars wrote: I'd suggest not changing your material (at least for a first trial) - and cutting out the centre of each panel to either leave a outline frame for each side (including maybe the front), or if you need more rigidity, leave a cross brace. Then cover the outside with something light fast (few layers of duct tape works). This should drastically cut down the weight, keep the rigidity, and save looking for more materials

Now THAT my friend is an awesome idea!

Instead of duct tape I think I'll go with a super thin birch ply (me an my damn wood lol) laminate sheet they sell... and I'll place it on the inside as apposed to the outside as I think the cut-outs may offer something in terms of aesthetics (further taking away from the 'boxy' look) if done right.

Also, if ever come up w/ a final design using sheets like this (vs 3d print, etc)... I think this would be an awesome material to do it in

:
http://www.dragonplate.com/

Dude, seriously good idea! Thanks!

Post by **brantlew** » Wed Sep 12, 2012 11:00 am

TheLostBrain wrote:Also, if ever come up w/ a final design using sheets like this (vs 3d print, etc)... I think this would be an awesome material to do it in :
http://www.dragonplate.com/

Cool find. I've got another project that is weight sensitive. How does carbon fiber compare to aluminum in terms of weight, strength, and ease to work with?

Post by **TheLostBrain** » Wed Sep 12, 2012 11:06 am

Figured I'd post some DIY eye candy...

While this particular lens assembly is for a different HMD project of mine... I've been thinking up a good lens design for this project too.

Just thought you guys might dig the visuals as much as I do

Post by **brantlew** » Wed Sep 12, 2012 11:37 am

Drool...you've got an impressive work-shop. I still build things with hand-drills and hacksaws and materials balanced on 2x4's.