Using the Force and IK Bodies -- Dev Update

VR is supposed to be better than the real world!  So, why do I have to keep bending down to pick up objects I dropped (and sometimes have the headset almost fall of my face!)?  It's really annoying!

     So, using some of the code from the failed grappling hook, just applying it to interactable objects instead of the player, I now have a system where if you're pressing the grip button, you can point at objects to highlight them.  Then, if you press the trigger, they will fly to your hand as if you're using the force!

(Source: "Empire Strikes Back," 1980, Lucasfilm)

     It works really well and is super satisfying to use.  I am considering adding a pointer to indicate what you're pointing at to make it more clear, but I don't think that's necessary.  It would be good for UI though.  But I'm trying to avoid the usual point and click style UI, as it can break immersion in VR.

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     I also messed some more with IK bodies in VR using FinalIK.  It works really well (and is hilarious to watch in 3rd person editor mode), but the VR render pipeline in Unity 2018.3.9 has some issues importing my character models.  Also, I love the animated hands I'm currently using, and having a body with it's own hands just won't play well with them. 
​     So, after much trial and error, I've chosen to make the player have a body and legs (that react to movement, crouching, etc) and floating hands. I know this sounds like an odd choice, but it actually works really well.  I've found that having arms in VR are cool in theory, but in practice are not as great as they sound--different people have different arm lengths and if it's even an inch off, it feels really odd.

Just an example of what IK can do. (Source: "stacker," Blender StackExchange)

I am hesitant to announce anything concrete about the project because I am working on all the mechanics in a "greyboxed" scene and I have very few fully realized scenes done already for me to share, but I promise there is more to come!

Thanks for reading!
​- Judah