What do you do if you need to create immersive computer graphics experiences using VR software?

1 Choose a VR platform

The first step is to decide which VR platform you want to target, as this will affect the hardware and software requirements, the distribution channels, and the user expectations. Some of the most popular VR platforms are Oculus, HTC Vive, PlayStation VR, and Windows Mixed Reality. Each platform has its own specifications, features, and limitations, so you need to do some research and comparison before choosing one.

2 Select a VR engine

The next step is to select a VR engine, which is a software framework that provides the tools and libraries to create and run VR applications. A VR engine handles the rendering, animation, physics, audio, input, and networking of your VR content. Some of the most widely used VR engines are Unity, Unreal Engine, and Godot. Each engine has its own advantages and disadvantages, such as ease of use, performance, compatibility, and cost. You need to consider your project goals, budget, and skills when choosing a VR engine.

3 Learn the VR basics

The third step is to learn the VR basics, which are the fundamental concepts and principles of VR design and development. To understand how VR works, you need to be aware of its presence, locomotion, interaction, and UI/UX. Presence is the sense of being in the virtual environment and feeling immersed in it; locomotion is the movement of the user in the virtual environment and how it affects their comfort and orientation; interaction is the ways that the user can manipulate and communicate with the virtual environment and objects; and UI/UX is the user interface and user experience design for VR, which differs from traditional screen-based design. You can find out more about VR basics through online courses, tutorials, books, and blogs.

4 Create your VR project

The fourth step is to create your VR project using your chosen VR engine. According to the engine's documentation and guidelines, you need to set up your project settings, import assets, add scripts, and test your VR content. Additionally, you must optimize your VR project for performance, quality, and compatibility. This includes reducing the polygon count and texture size of your models, using level of detail (LOD) and occlusion culling to reduce the rendering load, applying lighting and shading techniques to enhance the realism and mood of your scene, and using spatial audio and haptic feedback to increase the immersion and feedback of your VR content.

5 Publish your VR project

The final step is to publish your VR project to your target platform. You need to follow the platform's submission and review process, which may vary depending on the platform's policies and standards. You also need to consider the marketing and monetization strategies for your VR project, such as creating a trailer, a website, and a social media presence, and choosing a pricing model, a distribution channel, and a revenue model.

6 Update and improve your VR project

The last step is not really a step, but a continuous process of updating and improving your VR project based on the feedback and data you receive from your users and the market. You need to monitor the performance, quality, and popularity of your VR project, and make adjustments and enhancements accordingly. You also need to keep up with the latest trends and developments in the VR industry, and explore new possibilities and opportunities for your VR project.

7 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?