Introduction

The use of computer modelling and simulation to allow a person to communicate directly with a synthetic three-dimensional (3-D) visual or even other sensory environment is referred to as virtual reality (VR). Virtual reality applications immerse the user in a computer-generated environment that mimics reality through the use of interactive devices that send and receive data and are made to wear as goggles, headsets, gloves, or body suits. A user wears a helmet with a three-dimensional display and views moving pictures of a simulated environment in a classic VR format. The sensation of “being there” (telepresence) is generated by motion sensors that can detect the user’s movements and adapt the view on the screen accordingly, usually in real time (the instinctive reflex the user’s movement occurs). As a matter of fact, a user can walk through a simulated set of rooms, encountering dynamic points of view that are convincingly applicable to his own head turnings and movements. The user can even start picking up and manipulate the objects in the virtual environment while wearing data gloves equipped with force-feedback gadgets which provide the senses of a touch.

Jaron Lanier developed the word “virtual reality” in the year 1987, and his study and engineering contributed significantly to the newly formed VR sector with a variety of products. The federal government’s role, particularly that of the Department of Defense, the National Science Foundation, and the National Aeronautics and Space Administration, was a common thread connecting early VR research and technology development in the United States (NASA). Programs are funded by these organizations and managed to carry out at university-based research facilities resulted in a huge group of skilled professionals in areas such as computer visualizations, simulation, and interconnected environments, as well as the formation of connections among education, military, and commercial work. Virtual reality software development has given rise to a new means of producing media and entertainment. Apart from game development, it can also be used for other reasons of course. VR technology is being used in a variety of industries, including automotive, virtual manufacturing, and many others, to recreate surroundings in terms of improving individuals and conduct tests in real time. Virtual reality software is used to create engaging experience in simulated 3D environments. Members of the team accomplish this by bringing together all of their digital elements with the help of a package of VR software development tools.

A Brief Description of Virtual Reality (VR)

The use of computer technologies to build a simulated environment is referred to as virtual reality (VR). In the case of VR, with the exception of traditional user interfaces, the user is immersed in the experience. So rather than viewing the screen in front of them, users are immersed and can interact with 3D environments. Virtual reality stimulates the senses of smell, vision, touch, and hearing. The computer in virtual reality employs sensors and math. Instead of placing a real camera in a physical environment, the user’s eyes are placed in the simulated environment. The graphics react in response to the user’s head movements. So instead of combining a real scene and virtual objects, VR technology provides an interactive and convincing world for the user. Virtual reality (VR) is the use of computers to experience things that do not exist in reality. Based on that simple definition, the concept doesn’t appear to be particularly novel. When you look at an amazing Canaletto painting, for example, you are experiencing the sights and sounds of Italy around 250 years ago—sort of like a virtual reality. Similarly, do you start daydreaming about things if you close your eyes and listen to atmospheric instrumental or classical music? Isn’t this an example of virtual reality—interaction with a world that doesn’t exist in the real world? Consider becoming engrossed in a book or film. Isn’t that a type of virtual reality as well? To completely grasp why books, movies, paintings, and pieces of music are not like the virtual reality, we must first define VR. For the purposes of this brief introduction, it is described as a believable, interactive 3D computer-created world that you can explore and feel physically and mentally as if you are there. The experience of virtual reality is one-of-a-kind. It creates the impression that you are residing in a completely convincing virtual world (one in which, to use the technical jargon, you are partly or fully immersed). It is two-way interactive: as you react to what you see, what you see responds to you: as you turn your head, what you can see or hear in VR changes to reflect your new perspective.

To sum it up, virtual reality is defined as the use of computer technologies to create a simulated environment (VR). With the exception of traditional user interfaces, the user is completely immersed in the experience in the case of VR. Users are immersed and can interact with 3D environments rather than just viewing the screen in front of them. Smell, vision, touch, and hearing are all stimulated by virtual reality. Sensors and mathematics are used by the computer in virtual reality. Instead of using a real camera in a physical environment, the user’s eyes are used. The graphics react to the user’s head movement. So instead of combining a real scene with virtual objects, VR technology produces a user-interactive and convincing world.

How Does the Virtual Reality Technology Work?

The virtual reality (VR) process combines software and hardware to create visually stunning environments and experiences that “deceive” the eye and brain. The hardware enhances sensory experiences and simulation, such as sound, touch, smell, or heat intensity, whereas the software conveys the virtual environment. Producing immersive experiences is equivalent to how the eye and brain make visuals. The distance between human eyes is about three inches, resulting in two slightly different points of view. These views are combined by the brain to produce a sense of depth or a stereoscopic display. This phenomenon is simulated in virtual reality applications through using two identical image data from two different viewpoints. So rather than showcasing a single picture that takes up an entire monitor, it displays two identical images compensate to provide such a different point of view for each eye. VR technology fools the user’s nervous system into believing in detail and acknowledging the false impression of a three-dimensional image.

What Does a VR Programmer Do?

Similarly, to how iOS developers put more emphasis on a particular operating system or game developers on a particular genre, VR developers can build in the broadest sense for a type of platform. Within the vast world of virtual reality, there are distinct platforms, but a VR developer can easily transition from, for instance, Sony’s Oculus to Samsung’s Gear. VR programmers are responsible for writing code for cutting-edge game development. VR, in which a player puts on a headset or goggles and has the sensation of actually stepping into another world, provides a more immersive experience than video games. However, despite its immersive potential, VR programmers face significant challenges in making the most of technological possibilities. For a variety of reasons, VR games can end up causing motion sickness. One of the most frequent causes of motion sickness is slight delay between the player’s movements and the game’s response; therefore, maintaining a high, stable frame rate is critical in VR games. VR developers are also in charge of conducting research and implementing a variety of other motion sickness-reduction mechanisms. The general responsibilities of a VR developer are:

• VR and AR application development (UE4, Unity, C++, C#)
• Prototype and new function development and implementation
• Planning for agile development
• Test execution and code review
• Identifying risks and opportunities during the development process
• Determine opportunities to improve overall workflows.
• Create and keep software system documentation up to date.

Top 7 Software Programming Tools for VR Developers

1. Unity

Unity is well-known for game development, but it can also be used to create VR solutions for a variety of other industries. Unity, for example, can be used to create VR solutions for automotive, transportation, manufacturing, media & entertainment, engineering, and construction, among other industries. When you use Unity, you can obtain a useful set of tools, such as:

• A capable editor for creating Unity 3D VR assets.
• Designer and artist’s resources
• CAD equipment
• Instruments for collaboration

Unity is compatible with all widely known VR platforms, including Oculus, Sony, and others. Unity provides a learning portal through which a VR developer can access courses such as “Getting Started with Unity” and many others. The Unity support and services portal will allow you to access specific details as well as get the assistance you require.

2. Amazon Sumerian

Amazon Sumerian is AWS’s VR engine, and it does not require any 3D graphics or VR programming knowledge to use. Sumerian is compatible with all popular virtual reality platforms, including Oculus Go, Oculus Rift, HTC Vive, HTC Vive Pro, Google Daydream, and Lenovo Mirage, as well as Android and iOS mobile devices. Amazon Sumerian supports a wide range of VR use cases, including employee education, training simulation, field services productivity, retail and sales, and virtual concierge. It has impressive features, such as:

• Sumerian writer and editor
• Sumerians are the hosts.
• Administration of assets
• The ability to script the logic in the scenes that you create

Users can access extensive learning resources that will assist them in using Sumerian, and you can read about this in “Getting Started with Amazon Sumerian.” The Amazon Sumerian FAQ page contains a wealth of useful information for any virtual reality developer.

3. Google VR

Google, the technology behemoth, covers a diverse range of VR development tools that you can use to make immersive VR experiences for your decision makers. These tools are available on the Google VR developer portal. You can use these tools to create VR apps for a variety of platforms, including Unity, Unreal, Android, iOS, and the web. To access the guides for developing VR apps for each of these platforms, first go to the Google VR developer portal and select “Choose your development environment.”  You will then be able to access the individual guides. If you want to develop a VR app for Unity with Android, for example, you can read “Quickstart for Google VR SDK for Unity with Android.” The Google VR developer platform includes software development kits (SDKs) for all of the VR platforms that it supports, such as Unity, Android, and iOS. You can get them by going to the Google VR developer portal’s download page. You can read “Google VR API reference” to learn about the Google VR APIs and plugins, which cover all SDKs available on the Google VR development platform. Using this, you can easily create VR software for Google CardBoard, Occulus, and most other VR platforms.

4.      Unreal Engine 4 (UE4)

Unreal Engine 4 (UE4) includes a robust set of VR development tools. You can use UE4 to create VR apps that will run on a variety of VR platforms, such as Oculus, Sony, Samsung Gear VR, Android, iOS, Google VR, and others. The UE4 platform has many features, such as

• Providing access to its C++ source code and Python scripts, allowing any VR developer on your team to thoroughly study the engine and learn how to use it.
• UE4 includes a multiplayer framework, real-time visual rendering, and a flexible editor.
• UE4’s Blueprint visual scripting tool allows you to quickly create prototypes.
• It is simple to add animation, sequence, audio, simulation, effects, and so on.

UE4 is adaptable and has a robust ecosystem. The Unreal Engine 4 documentation page contains a lot of information about the game engine.

5.      CRYENGINE

CRYENGINE, which is well-known among 3D game developers, is a solid option for a VR software development tool. It allows you to create virtual reality apps that work with popular VR platforms such as the Oculus Rift, PlayStation 4, Xbox One, and others. CRYENGINE has a number of features, including:

• Excellent visuals can be incorporated into your app.
• Because CRYENGINE includes a sandbox and other useful tools, it is simple to create a VR app or VR game.
• Characters can be easily made.
• Audio solutions that are built-in.
• CRYENGINE allows you to create real-time visualization and interaction, providing your stakeholders with a truly immersive experience.

CRYENGINE has excellent documentation, and its entire source code is available. For more information, check the CRYENGINE V manual. There are also helpful tutorial videos for CRYENGINE, which you can find on the website’s Tutorials page.

6.      Oculus Medium

Oculus, a well-known provider of VR platforms such as the Oculus Rift S, Oculus Quest, and Oculus Go, also provides powerful VR development software known as Medium. It’s a comprehensive tool that lets you create 3D assets. The VR assets you create can be sculpted, modelled, and painted. Even if you are a novice, Oculus Medium allows you to quickly create an immersive environment. There are many useful videos on the Oculus Medium YouTube channel that you can watch to learn more about this tool. You can also learn about Oculus Medium by reading its comprehensive “User Guide.”

7.      SketchUp Studio

SketchUp Studio is a strong 3D modelling tool geared toward the construction and architecture industries, and it can be used to create virtual reality apps. It is useful for applications such as architectural style, commercial interior decorating, landscape design, housing construction, 3D printing, and urban planning. You can get its powerful desktop tool with an easy-to-use UI and designing your building in 3D will be easier with it. The tool enables you to use captivating graphics, and it also includes construction industry-specific features. This tool can be used to create both virtual reality (VR) and augmented reality (AR) apps. There are learning resources and tutorials available to help you learn SketchUp Studio, and you can find them on the SketchUp Help page of the company’s website.