Chimera Reader
Experience the simple pleasure of reading a good book.
Chimera Reader is a software application designed to allow a user with access to a VR headset to read books in virtual spaces. Users will have the functionality of a Kindle, with the peace and tranquility of a private library available anywhere.
Core Features:
- A simple and easy to use interface for reading your favorite book
- Cozy reading space with optional music
- The ability to add your own books, or browse a selection of popular classics
Notes
- Chimera Reader is only compatible with Android 4.4 (KitKat) at this time.
- To add your own books, put the desired ePub files in the 'Book' folder in the phones root directory.
- Chimera Reader supports both bluetooth controllers and the touchpad.
Controls
Touch Controls
- Swipe Up: To open the menu
- Swipe Down: To close the menu
- Tap: To select menu items
- Swipe Left/Right: Turn the book page forward or back
Bluetooth Controller
Notes:
- We use Xbox controller mappings (so your X button may be different from ours)
- We used a Nyko Playpad as our development controller, so compatibility with other controllers is not guaranteed
- There is currently no ability to select menu items with the controller
- X Button - Open the menu
- A Button: Turn page back
- B Button: Turn page right
- Left Trigger: Move the book away from camera
- Right Trigger: Move the book towards camera
- Left Bumper: Scale text down
- Right Bumper: Scale text up
Inspiration
Chimera Reader was designed to extend the capabilities of the Gear VR as a multimedia tool. The Gear VR already has awesome support for video content, games, and even immersive audio; but there is little ability to experience the awesome world of books. We were immediately drawn to the idea of a private, personal library as a space to read - VR is, after all, a fantastic way to get away. As amazing as devices like the Kindle are for making reading material accessible, they are unable to help block out the distractions of every day life. We see the Gear VR as a doorway into a private realm, where users can go to really focus on the content at hand - in this case, books. We're excited by the potential that an app like this has for recreation, but also for students and researchers who might want an easy way to dive into their reading material. In the end, we see Chimera Reader as the first step towards enabling virtual reading in our everyday lives.
Milestone History
Milestone 2 Progress:
- 3D room development and optimization
- Saving and reloading progress in a book
- Gear VR touch-pad controls
- Font support, re-scaling, and re-sizing
- Translation of the reading surface
Milestone 3 Progress:
- UI for options menu
- Improved rendering performance on device
- Ambient audio
- General improvements to text readability
Final Progress:
- ePub file support
- Bug fixes galore
- Room polish
- Loading of personal books
12 comments
Wade Brainerd • almost 5 years ago
Looks like you have a prototype working, how are you finding the text readability? Are you doing anything special about antialiasing?
Blake Gross • almost 5 years ago
We've found the text is fairly readable so far, though it does have to bit a bit larger than an actual page would be. We aren't doing anything special about antialiasing yet. The VR UE4 developers have a MSAA patch for Gear VR, but it only is compatible with Android 4.x and we are working on Android 5.01. I was planning on spending some time towards the end to try and get their MSAA fix working on Lollipop.
Wade Brainerd • almost 5 years ago
That's good to hear that the text is readable. Note that if what UE4 is adding is straight up MSAA, it won't do anything for the interior of a polygon, e.g. the text. MSAA only applies at polygon edges. I've been having good luck with supersampling the back buffer, but that does increase render cost.
Eugen Fedorov • almost 5 years ago
Good progress and great concept!
Dustin Kochensparger • almost 5 years ago
Thanks so much! We're very excited about our progress!
Heath Davidson • almost 5 years ago
Looking forward to using this everyday to read books
Dustin Kochensparger • almost 5 years ago
Awesome! We hope to share it with you soon!
Nathan Beattie • almost 5 years ago
Hey guys,
Not sure if it's just something on my end or not, but the app crashes about 5 seconds after loading up.
Blake Gross • almost 5 years ago
Are you using Lollipop? Our app is not supported on that. If you are using KitKat, does the music start playing? Also does a folder called "Book" get created in your root directory?
Blake Gross • almost 5 years ago
We updated our apk, let us know if one has the same issues.
Nathan Beattie • almost 5 years ago
That seems to have solved it :)
Dustin Kochensparger • almost 5 years ago
Awesome! Glad to hear it. Thanks for checking out the app for us!