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VR Spectator View

The VR Spectator View is a command that allows you to modify the display on the desktop screen without affecting the view in the VR headset. For the player inside VR, there will be no changes. Once VR is launched, the Spectator View gives you the option to change the type of desktop view, choosing between first-person, third-person, or tracker perspectives.

The Spectator View allows a desktop user to navigate the scene while someone else is in VR mode.

Desktop UI Settings

[IMAGE: VR Spectator View — original at /pictures/v1.18/spec_view.png]

You can use these settings to configure the spectator view:

[IMAGE: VR Spectator settings UI — original at /pictures/v1.18/spec_view_UI_desktop.png]

Setting

Description

Enable VR Spectator View

Toggle to automatically start in Spectator View mode when launching VR

Show UI

Show the UI by default when launching VR

Spectator Mode

Define the default desktop point of view

Enable VR PiP

Adds a frame with the VR user's point of view

Resolution

Define the Spectator View resolution

Override Lumen

Adds Lumen to the Spectator View, even if not enabled in VR mode

Disable VSM

When enabled, improves VR + Spectator View performance by disabling Virtual Shadow Maps (disabled by default to improve performance)

UI When Launching VR

[IMAGE: VR Spectator fly mode — original at /pictures/v1.18/spec_view_fly.png]

When you have launched a VR experience, press the V key to toggle the Spectator View. If it was configured in desktop mode beforehand, it launches automatically.

[IMAGE: VR Spectator UI overlay — original at /pictures/v1.18/spec_view_UI.png]

Keybindings

Key

Action

V

Toggle VR Spectator View activation

M

Change spectator mode (fly / first-person smoothed / tracked)

Arrows / ZQSD

Move around (in fly mode)

Right-click + Mouse

Look around (in fly mode)

Asterisk (*)

Override Lumen to TRUE in VR Spectator View

Page Up

Increase VR Spectator View resolution

Page Down

Decrease VR Spectator View resolution

Mouse wheel

Increase / decrease FOV

R

Reset FOV

End

Toggle Virtual Shadow Maps on/off

Limitations

  • There can be performance issues while Virtual Shadow Maps are active (as of UE 5.2). Use the End key to disable them if needed.

  • Lumen rendering can differ slightly between the view inside the HMD and the desktop spectator view.