Last week, a number of CAD files and documents were released indicating that Microsoft Research has fabricated a better lens than what’s used on the latest Oculus Rift model. The README file reports that with the new lens, the field-of-view is admittedly smaller than the “stock” Rift lens but the image is crisper than Oculus VR’s solution.
“The lens was automatically designed by the LensFactory program developed at Microsoft Research,” the company reports. “The optical quality is significantly better than the lenses that come with the Oculus. The lens uses off the shelf lens elements from Edmund Optics.”
According to Microsoft Research, in order for enthusiasts to make the lens, they will need to 3D print the housing using one of the provided files. Microsoft Research said it printed its own casing by using an Object Eden 260 with Vero Black material that was cranked up to the highest resolution. The company has not tested other 3D printer solutions.
“You may have issues with hobbyist FDM printers because the thin crush ribs that hold the lens elements in place may not print properly,” the README file states.
The README file continues. "The .cs and .shader files are examples of how you can correct the lens distortion so that images on the Oculus display appear undistorted when viewed through the lens,” the file adds. “These files are written for the Unity game engine. If you are using a different game engine you may have to modify them.”
So how much will this do-it-yourself Oculus Rift lens project cost? Probably around $200 per eye. Microsoft Research insists that DIY builders will need to buy lens elements that have a visible light anti-reflection coating. If you purchase the lens without the coating, the image contrast will be “noticeably worse.”
The Oculus Rift is slated to arrive in Q1 2016. The virtual reality HMD will require a beefy PC with at least an Intel Core i5-4950 processor or equivalent and a Nvidia GeForce GTX 970 GPU or equivalent. Users will also need 8 GB of RAM and two USB 3.0 ports.
Check out the image below, which shows how much clearer Microsoft Research's lens can render a virtual room!
From maximumpc
from http://bit.ly/1JlaD6D
