Whirligig News

[p]Hi Everyone

I've been working on a final release before Christmas working on updates, bug fixes and anything else that was half done and needed finishing.[/p][p][/p][p]Well one of those things is the alternative languages. I always intended to release Whirligig in different languages and created a system to easily include new languages. Well that was a long time ago and I was getting friends who spoke those languages to help, which gave me Chinese, Spanish and Polish. [/p][p][/p][p]Well a lots changed since then so I've gone back in and updated the system and found all the English entries that need replacing and I created a master file which I could then generate new versions using translation tools for other languages.
[/p][p][/p][p]So Whirligig supports these languages:

English[/p][p]Deutsch[/p][p]Espanol [/p][p]Français [/p][p]Italiano [/p][p]Polski[/p][p]Português [/p][p]Welsh[/p][p]Русский[/p][p]한국어[/p][p]中文（简体）[/p][p]日本語[/p][p]
Surely using online translation tools can't create reliable versions? You're completely right. I have no idea if these versions are anywhere near what they should be. This is the first pass and hopefully it provides most of the expected translations but it's mostly going to get it wrong in multiple places. The system is designed to be easily updateable and can be changed by users themselves.

How does it work
In the installation folder there is a language folder where the translation text files go. The name of the file is the name of the selection and in each of the files are all the entries that can be changed. Here is an example of the file.

C:\\Program Files (x86)\\Steam\\steamapps\\common\\Whirligig\\production\\languages

Deutsch.ini
General[/p][p]-----------------------------[/p][p]Save=Speichern[/p][p]Reset=Zurücksetzen[/p][p]ResetAll=Alles Zurücksetzen[/p][p]Clear=Löschen[/p][p]LoadTxt=Laden[/p][p]SaveTxt=Speichern
English.ini[/p][p]General[/p][p]-----------------------------[/p][p]Save=Save[/p][p]Reset=Reset[/p][p]ResetAll=Reset All[/p][p]Clear=Clear[/p][p]LoadTxt=Load[/p][p]SaveTxt=Save[/p][p] [/p][h2]Can I help?[/h2][p]Yes you can. If you come across anything that isn't right let me know and I'll update it. I may put these files online so people can contribute if they want to.

I want to make Whirligig as accessible as I can but I'm aware I don't know how to without hiring people to create translations especially considering the amount I update things. So I've created this system to make it something people can change, add to and personalise. If there are languages you want added please let me know and I'll add them.

I hope you like the additions and hope I've not screwed up too much with the translations. I have to admit I wouldn't know if they were completely wrong but you've got to start somewhere :)

Hope everyone has a happy Christmas and I look forward to your feedback.[/p][p][/p][p]Happy watching

Phil[/p][p][/p][p][/p]

[p]\[edit\[ I've just released this on the Meta store as well. It's been on there for a while but this is this version with the plex support and all the updates. If you own Whirligig on Steam I'm offering codes for the store. Just email me [email protected]. If you already own it on the Meta store please take the time to give it a review, Whirligig on Standalone doesn't do very well so any engagement to boost it's exposure would be very appreciated :)


Hi Everyone,[/p][p]It’s been a while since the last default update, and I’ve been working hard releasing several betas to get us to this point. This is a massive update that changes the core of how Whirligig runs, alongside some highly requested features.[/p][p]I’ve been holding off on pushing this to default to ensure stability, but after extensive testing in the beta branch, I’m finally releasing these changes to everyone. Because this update involves a major engine upgrade (Unity 6) and a complete rewrite of the input system, it represents a significant step forward for the player.[/p][p]Here is what you can expect in the new default version:[/p][p][/p][h3]Plex Support Added[/h3][p]I have been trying to get network support into Whirligig for a long time. After fighting with standard network protocols, I decided to try Plex, and it works brilliantly.[/p]

• [p]How it works: Whirligig doesn't act as a full Plex visual interface; instead, it allows you to stream your films directly as if they were on your hard drive.[/p]
• [p]Easy Setup: Click the Plex button, sign in via the web window to get a PIN, and link your account. Your Plex server will appear in the explorer like a local drive.[/p]

[p][/p][p][/p][h3]Engine Overhaul: Unity 6 & URP[/h3][p]I have upgraded the entire project to Unity 6 and implemented the Universal Render Pipeline (URP). This was a huge undertaking, but it was necessary for the future of the player.[/p]

• [p]Performance: You should notice significantly faster loading times and better resource management.[/p]
• [p]VR Rendering: URP enables single-pass rendering, which reduces the overhead on your GPU.[/p]
• [p]Smoother Playback: I’ve ironed out bottlenecks to make the experience feel much snappier.[/p]

[h3][/h3][h3]New Environments[/h3][p]I’ve added two new 3D environments for you to enjoy:[/p][p]A post-apocalyptic Desert scene.
An outdoor Camping area.[/p][p][/p][hr][/hr][p][/p][h3]Core System & Stability[/h3]

• [p]Video Path Switching: Fixed the issue where switching video render paths (e.g., Media Foundation to VLC) required a level reload. You can now switch paths instantly without delays or crashes.[/p]
• [p]Crash Reduction: Improved internal error checking to significantly reduce the risk of random crashes.[/p]
• [p]VLC Plugin: Applied "brute-force" fixes to the VLC implementation to resolve unpredictable playback behavior and improve stability.[/p]

[p][/p][h3]Input & Controllers[/h3]

• [p]Missing Controllers: Fixed an issue where controllers would sometimes fail to appear on certain systems.[/p]
• [p]Slider Jitter: Fixed jerky slider movement; sliders now move much more smoothly.[/p]
• [p]Analog Response: Fixed analog inputs (like tilt) which previously acted like digital buttons. They now respond incrementally to pressure/direction.[/p]
• [p]Input Performance: Completely rewrote the input system to remove the performance cost ("overhead") of the old legacy system.[/p]

[p][/p][h3]Explorer & Browser[/h3]

• [p]Slow Thumbnails: Fixed slow thumbnail generation; thumbnails now load significantly faster.[/p]
• [p]Large Folders: Fixed lag and slowdowns when browsing directories with large numbers of files.[/p]
• [p]Frame Capture: Fixed unreliable thumbnail frame capture where it would sometimes fail to grab an image.[/p]

[p][/p][h3]UI & Visuals[/h3]

• [p]Screen Alignment: Fixed and improved screen alignment in 360 Rooms.[/p]
• [p]Windows Title Bar: Fixed the Windows title bar style to correctly match the in-game UI.[/p]
• [p]Audio-Reactive Backgrounds: Refined the audio-reaction movement to fix stuttering, making the visuals much smoother.[/p][p][/p]

[hr][/hr][h3]
Troubleshooting & Feedback[/h3][p]Because this is such a major structural update, there is a chance that some bugs might pop up that I haven't caught.[/p][p]If you have issues:[/p]

1. [p]Reset Whirligig: Go to [c]C:\\Users\\%username%\\AppData\\Roaming[/c], find the 'Whirligig' folder, and rename or delete it. This clears out old settings that might conflict with the new engine.[/p]
2. [p]Let me know: Post on the Steam forums or email me. I am very responsive to bug reports.[/p]

[p][/p][h3]And Finally[/h3][p]I work on Whirligig as a solo developer and it's just me pushing out the updates and releases[/p][p]The community around Whirligig helps to suggest features and report issues, which continues to help make Whirligig better. If you enjoy using Whirligig, please consider taking 30 seconds to leave a positive review on Steam. Not only does it help people know what they will get when buying Whirligig and help to improve visibility of the player but it also helps my mental health as well :) [/p][p]If you have a bug, please report it so I can fix it. But if the player works for you and you like the new features, a thumbs-up would mean the world to me.[/p][p]Thank you for your continued support over the years.[/p][p]Happy watching,[/p][p]Phil[/p]

[p]Hi everyone[/p][p]If you've been keeping up with my posts I'm working towards a large default update. This update has been a process of fixing and optimising as much as I could. The one I thought I'd tackle that week was the NETWORK BUTTON.[/p][p][/p][p]I have been trying to get network support in Whirligig for a very long time. It's a consistently requested feature especially for standalone. My attempts have been fighting the process of networks and last week I thought I was getting somewhere but then for no reason my network stopped being discovered. Well I thought sod it I wonder if I could try and get plex working instead. And low and behold it turned out to be a lot easier (in comparison) than I thought and now we have the first beta including Plex support.[/p][p][/p][p]What is Plex
Plex is a media server system allowing you to easily store your videos and access them from anywhere in the world. The Plex brand and website is much more than just that including free shows and many many features. It helps you organise your films and series easily and is a great service if you have a large media library.[/p][p][/p][p]Whirligig and Plex
I'm not making Whirligig into a Plex system with all the artwork (you see the artwork in the thumbnail option in the explorer) info etc. Whirligig is a media player not a streaming service.

So what Whirligig is going to do is allow you to easily log into your plex server and stream your films directly into Whirligig as if it was a video on your hard drive. Once you've logged in using the very simple pin number your media server will be listed as if it was a drive and you can navigate it in exactly the same way you can your own local media.[/p][p][/p][p][/p][p]Simply click the Plex button, a new window will open and you click sign in. You'll get a pin number and you can link it to your account.[/p][p][/p][p][/p][p]Once linked it just shows you your plex server and you can browse as you like.[/p][p]
[/p][p]You'll be signed in indefinitely until you sign out by clicking here and clicking sign out.

Very Early Beta[/p][p]So this is very hot off the press. I need to do a load of testing and fixing but it seems to be working as I would expect at the moment so I felt it would be something people would like to get their hands on.
[/p][p]Because it's so new expect bugs. Please let me know of any bugs and any improvements you would like or expect in this setup.[/p][p][/p][p]Thank you
Thanks for supporting me over the years and I'll continue to make updates as long as people keep enjoying Whirligig. If you think I'm doing a good job give me a thumbs up and a positive review.

Keep an eye out for new updates and happy Watching[/p][p][/p][p]Phil :)[/p][p][/p][p][/p][p][/p][p]
[/p][p][/p]

[p]
Hi everyone,

This is another big update!
The main focus this time is on bug fixes, performance improvements, and core system optimisation. I’ve been working hard to polish Whirligig so I can move forward on solid ground.

I’ve tested everything thoroughly, but as always, some issues might have slipped through the cracks — so please let me know if you spot anything!

[/p][h2]Core Update [/h2][h3]Unity 6 & URP Implementation[/h3][p]One of the biggest backend updates: Whirligig now runs on Unity 6000.2.8f1 with the Universal Render Pipeline (URP).
This was a major change that took a couple of months to complete.

Benefits include:[/p]

• [p] Significantly faster loading times[/p]
• [p] Much better resource management[/p]
• [p]Noticeable performance boosts (especially during playback)[/p]
• [p] Easier future updates and feature additions[/p]
• [p] Better long-term support and stability
  [/p]

[h3]Input System Overhaul[/h3][p]The old input and mapping system was needed a major overhaul as I wrote it a long time ago. It had a noticeable performance cost and was tricky to maintain. I’ve completely rewritten it for better stability, performance, and usability.

You’ll notice:[/p]

• [p] Much smoother slider movement[/p]
• [p] Analog inputs (like tilt) now respond incrementally to pressure on thumbsticks [/p]
• [p] Overall, a more responsive feel when using controllers[/p]

[p][/p][h3]VLC (VideoLan) Update[/h3][p]Whirligig uses the official VLC plugin, and I’ve updated it to the latest version.
There were a few tricky parts that needed brute-force fixes to make things work as expected, but those have been cleaned up.

The result: improved playback performance and more predictable behavior across the board.

[/p][h3]Explorer Improvements[/h3][p]The Explorer has been heavily optimised for both thumbnail and list views.

Improvements include:
[/p]

• [p] Much faster thumbnail generation and loading[/p]
• [p] Supports larger directories without slowdown[/p]
• [p] More reliable thumbnail frame capture[/p]
• [p] Several long-standing bugs have been fixed[/p]

[p][/p][h3]Multi-Monitor Feature[/h3][p]If you haven’t seen it yet, the multi-monitor mapping feature lets you combine several displays or projectors into one continuous screen.

You can read more about it here:[/p][p]real-world-360-degree-mapping-multiple-projectors[/p][p]This feature has been fully updated and is now compatible with all the latest Whirligig changes. I will be doing a full breakdown of this hopefully soon so if you're interested keep an eye out for the release. [/p][h2] Other Updates & Additions [/h2]

• [p]360 rooms have improved screen alignment.[/p]
• [p]Two new 3D environments:[/p]

• [p] An outdoor camping area[/p]
• [p] A post-apocalyptic desert scene[/p]
• [p]Custom video thumbnails can now be generated from Settings → About.[/p]
• [p]Audio-reactive backgrounds have been refined for smoother and more dynamic visuals.[/p]

[p][/p][h2] Feedback & Bug Reports[/h2][p]This is a big technical update, so there’s a chance a few new bugs snuck in.
If you notice anything odd, please let me know!

You can post feedback here on Steam or on the main discussion page, or email me directly at [email protected] with examples or logs. [/p][p][/p][h2] Thank You[/h2][p]A huge thank you to everyone who continues to use and support Whirligig.
Your feedback, patience, and encouragement mean the world to me.

If you enjoy using Whirligig, a positive review really helps keep development going.
And if you’ve got suggestions for new features — I’m always listening!

Until next time,
Happy watching![/p]

Hi all,

I’m continuing to work on updates, and this beta release includes some major backend improvements. Whirligig has always used Unity’s built-in render engine, but it’s now been upgraded to the Universal Render Pipeline (URP). This was a major change under the hood, especially with how stereo eye rendering works in VR.

[h2]Render Engine Updated to URP[/h2]

This update should bring better performance and help future-proof the project. URP enables single pass rendering, which reduces VR overhead significantly. I’ve also spent time identifying and fixing bottlenecks, and overall, this version should feel much snappier and more responsive.

[h2]Video Render Path Switching Improved[/h2]

Previously, switching between video render paths meant reloading the level, which caused delays and occasional crashes. Now you can switch paths without restarting, making it a smoother and more stable experience.

[h2]General Updates[/h2]

[] Windows title bar updated to match the in-game UI.
[] Distance and screen size controls now allow the screen to be brought closer—great for passthrough viewing.
[] Updated to the latest versions of AVPro and Unity.
[] Improved error checking to reduce crash risks.

• General performance optimisations.
  

[h2]WMR Headset Notes[/h2]

This build uses the latest Meta SDK. In the past, this has caused issues with WMR headsets. I haven’t been able to test this version with WMR yet, so if you encounter crashes on launch, please roll back to the previous version—it should still work fine.

[h2]Standalone Builds + Free Codes[/h2]

The Pico and Meta Quest versions have been updated on Itch.io and the Meta Store. I’m still offering free codes for anyone who wants to try Whirligig standalone. Just email me at [email protected] with your preferred store/platform, and I’ll send a code your way!

[h2]Final Thoughts[/h2]

If you try this beta release, I’d really like to hear your thoughts. Have you noticed a performance boost? Run into any issues? Have suggestions for future updates? Your feedback is always welcome and helps guide the development of Whirligig.

Until next time, happy watching!

Phil