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Using HoloLens

Boaz Fuchs
  • Updated

In this article:

Activating the App and Setting Headset and Table Properties

  1. After installation is complete, put on the headset start the HoloLens headset by pressing the circle button on the right side until you see small white glowing dots, which indicate battery level (one dot for low, five for full).
  2. Look at the table QR code, and press Play to activate the app.
    8. clicking on qr code.jpg
  3. The IP address of the headset will be displayed floating in front of the headset. Take note of this IP address. 
    12. Waiting for connection.jpg
  4. Set the headset IP address and virtual table properties in the HoloLens dialog. See property descriptions below.
    hololensnew.png 

Headsets Control

Number of Headsets

Number of headsets that will be connected to TerraExplorer. Up to 4 headsets are supported. Skyline Remote Player must first be installed on each of the headsets. See step 6 above.

Headset Address

IP address of the connecting headsets. After installation of Skyline Remote Player is complete (see step 6 in the Installation and Setup article), the IP address of the headset device will be displayed floating in front of the headset. Enter this IP address here. 

Click Connect to connect between TerraExplorer and the HoloLens headset.

 

Table

Table Width

The width of the virtual table on which the TerraExplorer hologram will be displayed. A virtual table is centered wherever the QR code is placed.

Table Length

The length of the virtual table on which the TerraExplorer hologram will be displayed. A virtual table is centered wherever the QR code is placed.

Map Scale

Automatically adjusts to the scale of the currently displayed view in the hologram (Read-only).

Offset

Adjusts the vertical position of the hologram relative to its default altitude. For instance, if you're observing a holographic model of a cell tower and want to view its top, you can increase the offset to raise the hologram's altitude. This allows you to view different vertical levels of the hologram without physically moving up or down.

Clip Data

Toggle on to limit the projection of the hologram to the area marked in the TerraExplorer view.

Lock North

Always orient the TerraExplorer hologram to face geographic north.

Control

Determines the position of a virtual control panel that appears floating near the hologram. It can be placed on the left or right or hidden entirely. 

 

Virtual Control Panel

HoloLens features a virtual control panel that is accessible only to the first headset connected. This panel uses gesture recognition for user interaction within the virtual reality environment. The location of this virtual panel is set in the HoloLens dialog under Settings >Table properties.

Activating buttons on the control panel:

To activate a button on the virtual control panel, you can use either of the following methods:

  • Pinching Gesture: Extend your arms or palms into the viewing area to project a visual ray forward, similar to pointing with an index finger. Then pinch your thumb and index finger together (🤏🏽) when the ray highlights a button. This gesture is recognized as a click, activating the button's function.
  • Direct Touch: Reach out and physically press the button directly on the virtual control panel, mimicking interaction with a tangible object.

The virtual control panel has three tabs: Navigate, Locations, and Presentations.

Navigate Tab  

holo_browser_navigate2.png

1.  Use the N, W, E, S buttons to navigate in all four directions.

2.  Zoom in and out to adjust the view.

3.  Adjust the vertical position (offset) of the hologram relative to its default altitude.

4.  Reset offset to 0.

 

Locations Tab

holo_browser_locations2.png

1.  Select a location from the list of locations to fly to it.

2.  Use the pagination controls to move between pages.
 

 

Presentations Tab

holo_browser_presentations2.png

1.  Select a presentation from the list.

2.  Jump to the beginning of the step in the presentation. Click twice to jump to previous step.

3.  Stop flight.

4.  Play/Pause the flight.

5.   Jump to next action in presentation.

6.  Jump to next step in presentation.

7.  Use the pagination controls to move between pages.

 

QR Code

When the QR code is placed in the standard reading position, where the three distinct square patterns appear in every corner except the bottom right, the north direction for the system is facing forward.

qrcode.png

Establishing the north direction for the system serves two primary functions:

  • For the Terrain: The orientation of the QR code sets a precise north in the virtual terrain. This ensures that elements in the virtual 3D World maintain accurate geographical directions relative to your real-world position.
  • For the Controller's Position: The QR code's orientation provides a reference for the controller's position and movement within the virtual environment, which ensures that user inputs for moving forward, backward, or turning are accurately aligned with the virtual world's orientation.

 

 

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