How it works
Whenever you launch Prospect it will check your computer for a headset, if no headset is connected when you launch a file it will open on full-screen directly on your monitor.
When you use Prospect for Desktop, without a headset, not all in-VR features will be available to you but you'll be able to move freely within the file. You will also be able to collaborate and speak in meetings. Here's a comparison of features available without a headset, as compared to with one on our Prospect license:
| Without Headset | With Headset | |
| Scale model mode | View only | Ability to scale / modify model |
| Sun settings | X | X |
| Layers | X | X |
| Viewpoints | X | X |
| Display settings | X | X |
| Collaboration & Meetings | X | X |
| Annotations | X | |
| Screenshots | X | |
| Panorama capture | X | |
| Measuring tool | X | |
| Element inspection | X |
We still recommend that you use a VR headset to view your models with Prospect to take full advantage of spatial understanding, immersive review, and experiencing your unbuilt work at a true 1:1 scale.
Setup & Use Logistics
Hardware
You'll still need a computer that meets some minimum requirements even if not using a headset, you are still powering a 3D experience.
If you're investing in new hardware, please consider reviewing our recommended VR computers, which will provide more value & performance than the minimum specs below.
Minimum Recommended:
- CPU - Intel i3-6100 / AMD Ryzen 3 1200
- GPU - NVIDIA GTX 1050 Ti / NVIDIA GTX 960 4GB / AMD Radeon RX 470 or greater / AMD Radeon R9 290 or greater
- RAM - 8GB+ RAM
- OS - Windows 10
Absolute Minimum:
- Running Windows
- Have a dedicated graphics card
- Have speakers & microphone OR ability to connect headphones with a mic (for meetings)
- Please note: With these bare minimums, performance may struggle, particularly in models of a certain size or complexity. Mobile devices, tablets, etc would not be expected to work.
Navigating
You'll have three different options for moving around the file:
- Keyboard
Use Q (UP), W (Forward), E (Down), A (Left), S (Back), D (Right) to move around. Turn on Ghost Mode (G) to walk through solid geometry. Use the right and left arrow keys for incremental turns, and the up and down arrow keys to move up and down. - Mouse
Using your mouse click and drag to look around. Then double click to teleport to a location, and scroll to shift forward and back. - Viewpoints
If the 3D model you are exploring has set viewpoints, you can use those to jump from scene to scene by expanding the menu on the bottom right corner, then clicking viewpoints.
VR Meetings or Collaborating
Prospect collaboration allows 12+ individuals to be within the same virtual reality environment regardless of their physical location in the world. When you make a file collaborative, and share with others they can join the session with or without a headset. As shown above, participants without a headset will have limited capabilities but will be able to hear and chat with other participants.
Presenter Controls
When paired with a tethered headset, presenters can use the Desktop Menu with keyboard and mouse to help guide clients, stakeholders, and colleagues through their projects with Prospect.
In VR Tutorial
When you first launch a file in Prospect you'll be presented with an in-VR tutorial. You can disable this in your Prospect settings, or skip the tutorial from the desktop.
Desktop Menu
Pro users now have the ability to disable controllers and access a number of the in-VR tools directly from their desktop. This is particularly handy in situations where you’re presenting a project in-VR to someone who may be less tech-savvy, or would be more comfortable simply viewing (without being in charge of the controllers for the menu and/or navigating themselves), or when you’re doing demos for large groups and want to better regulate time and focus. You can manage this in your Prospect settings, or using the gear icon near the desktop menu.
From the Prospect Viewer window, the presenter can use the desktop menu and a mouse to control:
- Scale model mode (view only)
- Sun Settings
- Viewpoints
- Layers
- Display Settings
- Keyboard controls listed below may also be used
- M - Turn on / off Materials
- O - Turn on / off Outlines
- Viewpoints (Scenes) - Toggle between them by pressing "<" and ">" keys
Desktop Menu - Available Tools
Desktop Menu - in-VR Settings