Does OVRdrop support multiple windows?

[ethzero]

Hello, Great to see OVRdrop on Steam! One feature I don't either seem to be able to find, either documented or in-program is OpenVRDesktopDisplayPortal's ability to be launched multiple times to attach more than one window in the VR environment?

• Is this intentional?
• Is this feature likely to return in later versions? (One program instance handling multiple windows perhaps?)

(I do notice that even running a second copy outside of Steam closes itself)

Regards, Patrick

[Hotrian]

So because I'm using Steam's DRM the program cannot be launched outside of Steam. Steam also unfortunately enforces a single copy running at a time. If you know a way to disable the 'single copy' enforcement I would be glad to hear it - as long as Steam's DRM remains intact - but I couldn't find a setting for it anywhere and I couldn't find anything about it online. I remember back when Steam didn't have this requirement, but it seems like this is how Steam works now.

Instead of multiple copies, I was planning to add Multi-Overlay support so a single copy can have many overlays simultaneously. Unfortunately this will require rewriting some of the core systems, so I chose to get OVRdrop out ASAP instead of making everyone wait even longer while I work up the Multi-Overlay version.

In the Multi-Overlay version, I'm also planning on grouping the overlays into a single profile, so you can save multiple overlays into a single profile. On top of that, I was planning to add 'target window recovery' so when you load up an overlay set it tries to target the windows that were being targeted when the profile was saved.

All of this will take some time though, and I'll probably make a second 'unstable' branch so the main branch remains fully functional while I experiment with the new Multi-Overlay system.

I was also hoping to do away with the Desktop Application Window, and convert it into a VR Dashboard Overlay, so you can easily mess with settings, as well as save/load your profiles without leaving VR.

I think these things would make OVRdrop significantly more accessible and functional.

[Hotrian]

Mobile so can't edit my last comment.

One thing I was considering was a 'launcher' that would work invisibly in the background. The launcher itself could enforce Steam's DRM, and allow for multiple copies to run simultaneously. Unfortunately when I tried this it wasn't stable enough for my tastes. The launcher would sometimes remain running even after all the instances had closed.

I'll look into the launcher idea again, though, and see if I can come up with a more stable solution.

[ethzero]

Hi Nicholas, Completely understand and appreciate the limitation that Steam imposes. Really good hear that "Multi-Overlay" version is in the works.

From a 'real-world use' perspective when I play Elite Dangerous it involves launch the game, the mission logger EDDiscovery, a YouTube/Netflix browser window, and another browser windows with a group of tabs for the ED Wiki, EDSM, EDDB.

If OVRdrop had the ability to "group the overlays into a single profile" that'd be amazing!

[Kiefy]

Exciting stuff. Can't wait!

[TheAlyxGreen]

Any update on this? Love the idea of this program, was hoping to put multiple different windows on the back of my hand though.

[black-light-studio]

Would love to have a different program for the backside of each of my hands/controllers in VR

[Hotrian]

I know it's not the same, but for now you could use the experimental_2 branch to run OVRdrop multiple times simultaneously, which can be used to rig up multiple Overlays, though it isn't ideal.

[dpluigi]

I intended to use OVRDrop for three small windows (popups) overlayed in VR.

Is there any update on multiple overlays capability?

My understanding is that several instances are required as a workaround?

Is it possible to save position and scales of all the overlays in one profile?

It is a great app. Looking forward to making it work.

Thank you.

[Hotrian]

Still working on it; It requires rewriting quite a few core systems that have become quite complicated over the years.

It is not currently possible to save them into one profile, but you can save them into multiple profiles and then load them via shortcuts using the Command Line Arguments