Edit
This release has now gone live as the default. All the updates, fixes and additional features below apply.
Hi everyone.
I've been working hard on updates and have been pushing beta updates out a few times in the previous weeks since the last default release. I've chosen to not publicise these as there was a lot of optimisation and bug fixes that went on and I never felt I had a significant feature addition to shout about it. Well now I'm looking to release this latest beta as a default build and as the features have added up I've decided to shout about it a little to hopefully get feedback :)
So find below a list of the updates since the last default build.
Optimised code and fixed bugs. This has been where a lot of work has been done. It doesn't show on the surface but I'm hoping that many of the changes I've made will make the whole player smoother and pathe the way for more updates in the future. I'm not going to list the bug fixes here as I can't remember half of them. If you do find bugs let me know and I'll do my best to fix them before the default release.
Updated Video plugins, Oculus SDK, SteamVR SDK, Unity3D and a few others.Many bug fixes and optimisation goes on in the the plugins and 3D engine that I use. I've made sure through this whole development process that I keep all this up to date. Hopefully it should give you a more stable experience and also offers more feature options that I can add in the future.
Added Random sort to explorerA user request and as I could see the way to add it I added it. Now in the explorer as well as being able to sort by date and alphabetically you can now hit random which will randomise the list. If you have a playlist, now you can enjoy the giddy heights of not know what's coming next.
Added embedded subtitle support for VideoLANI have a subtitle system in Whirligig which works across all video paths. This system has been the default system for a while and allows for subtitles that are in an srt format and accompany the video file to be played. The Videolan video path option also has a built in subtitle support which allows for videos with embedded/muxed subtitles. I added the ability to use this in the settings. To enable this go to the settings menu (f2 or the cog on the main UI) and tick Video Lan Subs. It will currently only play the first subtitle track in the file but hopefully that should be enough for most people. I will add more options if this is requested.
TBE spacial audio support with external fileTBE audio files are ambisonic files that allow for spatial audio to be used with video. If you have one of these files you can put it with the video file with the same name but different extension or in a folder of the same name and you'll be able to select playback of that track by going into settings/adjust and cycling through the audio tracks. This is a very new feature so if you need more info contact me.
Six new touch controllers to choose fromThe people behind the great previous eight Touch controller models have create another six. These are now available for you to browse. The new ones are camo, zebra, steam punk, lava, energy and dragon skin.
Added time option to images allowing you to watch a sideshow.If you are browsing through your image files and would like to sit back, put on some music and watch a slideshow then now you can. Each image file now has a time on it. The default is 5 seconds but you can change this in the settings to whatever you like. Once you hit play it will go through the time and proceed to the next image in the folder.
Increased the number of preset slots to 12What it says. You can now save up to 12 presets for your videos.
Double tap on save and preset slots will automatically save. On full slots will load themAnother user suggestion. If you want to load or save a bookmark or preset you don't have to select the slot and goto save or load anymore. Simply double tap on the slot and hey presto it's done for you.
Added video, picture and custom shortcuts to the explorerNow in the explorer your windows default video folder and picture folder are now automatic shortcuts. You also have four custom shortcuts. Simply go to the folder you want to make a shortcut and click and hold on the shortcut button for three seconds. It will then be set. If you are in any of the locations then they will be displayed as green.
Vertical/horizontal locks on all sliders making it easier to change settingsWhen using the head mounted crosshair or controller crosshair staying on the slider without slipping off either side was a hard task. Now once you click on the scroller the crosshair will be locked to that scroller until you release making it much easier to change settings.
New anti aliasing settings. off,2x,4x and 8x sampling optionsAnti aliasing can be really cpu intensive. I've added the ability to change it to help with the varying specs and power intensive videos out there. If you are having speed issues trying turning anti aliasing off (the default is 2x).
Kind of an apology
I do my best to add new features and listen to the users when they suggest features for the future. I then add these features or at least I add them to my todo list which you can find on my website http://www.whirligig.xyz/new-page/
The speed at which I add these features varies greatly depending on the ease at which I can add the feature, how immediately useful it will be, how debilitating it would be not to add it, the number of requests that it has had and many more other influences. This means that some features get added very quickly and some sit quietly on the back burning. If you've requested a feature that sits quietly on the back burner I can only apologies. I want to add all these features but only get a limited time to work on Whirligig. If you've requested a feature that I've said I'd look into and still want it, then give me a nudge. I can't say for sure that I'll leap straight onto it but it does help to focus my mind of what to do next.
In saying all that I hope you like the features I've added so far :)
Oculus and Viveport Stores
You may well be aware that Whirligig is on the three main stores, Oculus, Viveport and Steam. All three of these stores share the same default versions so if you own any one of these then you will be getting the same as if you bought it on any one of the other stores. However Steam has something that the others don't (at least at the moment) and that's a great beta release system. This allows me to release beta versions to anyone who is brave enough to give them a go. I would love to offer the same serves on the other store but they current just don't have that feature and releasing untested experimental builds as default releases is too dangerous.
This beta release is hopefully the last beta release before I update all the default versions. As soon as this version has been deemed worthy then it will be updated on all.
How to try the Betas
To start using the betas (and if you want the latest features and bug fixes it's recommend as I'm quite active in beta releases) all you have to do is right click on Whirligig, go to properties, go to the beta tab and select whirligig_early_access_latest_beta. This beta is always updated with every version. If you just want to try this beta only select whirligig_early_access_v4.1. If you want to stop using the betas select 'none'.
Note on replying to this message
In discussion you get a notification if someone has replied to a post but if you post at the bottom of a news feed then you don't get that notification so it can be easily to miss a reply. I check these news post regularly (mostly). If you do post here with an issue or suggestion please check manually to see if I've replied to your comment. I don't want people to think I'm ignoring them :)
Where am I going next
I've been working on Whirligig for a few years now all the way back to the release of the DK2. I hope you have found Whirligig useful and enjoyable to use. My original reason behind making Whirligig was to be able to create something that could be adapted to create interactive media from museum installations to adventure games. It since then has become a media player and production tool for creating 360 degree video and as far as I'm aware has been useful and appreciated by many.
This is where the journey ends... just kidding. One of the main unknown features of Whirligig is it's ability to work with a thing I called the "Producer" (something I've been making on the side). This allows me to use all the features and backend of Whirligig and make an adventure game, which is what I'm going to do. The "Producer" is freely available and I've been working hard to make it work with the latest version of Whirligig. I've set up a new website to document my progress with this and you can visit it here.
https://www.whirligig-productions.xyz/
The website is still very much work in progress so expect it to change a lot in the coming weeks and months. I've spent a lot of time over the last few days improving the Producer so expect some updates on that soon as well. I hope by spreading this project over three projects, the adventure game I'm making, the Producer to make the game (which I hope will, in turn allow other people to make their own games) and the player Whirligig itself I will be able to continue improving all three at a regular pace. Any improvement made to each of the elements will mutually benefit the other elements.
Fingers crossed it will help everyone and on top of it all you'll get two new things to try. VR is still a very small industry and any studios that wants to make it a viable money grab need external investment. This however is good for small teams (one person, me in my case) to get in early and make some really exciting and interesting things. Hopefully I'll be able to get a piece of that pie and with any luck eat it as well :)
And Finally
So that's it for this update. As this is a pre default release please let me know of any bugs you come across. I am always interested in suggestions from you as well. you are the people using it after all. If you like Whirligig and want to support it more than buying it, which already incredibly appreciated then please leave some nice reviews.
I wish you all well and happy watching.
All the best
Phil from Whirligig Productions :)
