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What’s the Format:

6:00-6:15pm – Networking & Preparation
6:15-6:30pm – Introductions & Welcome
6:30-7:45pm – Panel Discussion and Q&A
7:45-8:15pm – Networking

10/07/2020 – About the Topic:

With Stay at Home orders still in effect we have changed the way we meet – or shop, but it won’t stop us from bringing you content and industry experience. We will be hosting this month’s event in AltSpaceVR again. Unfortunately, since we are remote, we won’t be able to provide live demonstrations, but for those of you that have a VR headset you get to join us in VR. For those that don’t, you can join us in 2D on your PC or by watching the Facebook Live Stream. Instructions on how to do this are below and when you reserve your ticket on Eventbrite.

The topic of the month is Retail. The Coronavirus has radically affected how we interact with the normal retail environment. Can virtual and augmented reality help this industry survive and thrive again? Shopping at home takes on new importance and VR/AR’s ability to show you products in 3D and in context could ease the shift out of the mall.

Join us in a virtual environment and hear from industry leaders about how they’re using virtual and augmented reality to try and solve this problem and see where they think we are going in the future.

 

Panel Members

The virtual environment resembles a physical space, so you will be able to talk with other attendees prior to the start of the presentations. If at any point it feels very loud, feel free to move your conversation to another part of the space where there are less people. We suggest that you arrive no later than 6:00pm and we will get started promptly at 6:15. Please try to get familiar with the AltspaceVR technology and environment prior to the MeetUp, as we will be unable to provide support during the event.

We will start with informal networking, then host a panel discussion to answer audience questions, and we end with more networking. We keep it simple and informal – this MeetUp is about you, our members, and not the host or presenters. Come and get your questions answered, take your next step in XR Technology.

thank you to our sponsors

VRAR Chicago Virtual Meetups

The VirBELA virtual environment resembles a physical space, so you will be able to talk with other attendees prior to the start of the presentations. We suggest that you arrive no later than 6:00pm and we will get started promptly at 6:15. Please try to get familiar with the technology prior to the day of the meetup, as we will be unable to provide support during the event.

We will start with informal networking, then host a panel discussion to answer audience questions, and we end with more networking. We keep it simple and informal – this meetup is about you, our members, and not just a soap box for the host, presenters, or our sponsors. Come and get your questions answered, take your next step in XR Technology.

Signing Up for AltspaceVR 

AltspaceVR is available for free on Vive, GearVR, Oculus devices, WMR and 2D mode on Windows PC – unfortunately is not available for iOS Mac.

     **Important**

  • First Name and User Name that you choose will be how you are seen and engaged with in AltSpace and is not easy to change
    • The First Name field will be the predominant way that everyone sees your name displayed in AltspaceVR (VRAR Chicago)
    • The Username field will not be the prominent way you are displayed in AltspaceVR but will be how people search for you to add as a friend, etc. (Chicago312)
    • If you prefer to have another name or alias displayed as your Name Tag for everyone to see, you should type that into the First Name field. 

 

Downloading AltspaceVR for 2D Mode on Windows Computers

Windows

Windows can get AltspaceVR through either Steam or the Window Store. If using Steam, you will need to install the Steam application first but will be automatically prompted to download steam via the link below. If using Windows Store, you will need to create an account, if you don’t have one.

Steam: https://store.steampowered.com/app/407060/AltspaceVR

Windows Store: (Steam seems to be a bit easier) https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/p/altspacevr/9nvr7mn2fchq?activetab=pivot:overviewtab 

 

Macintosh

Unfortunately, MacOS is not supported by AltspaceVR at this time. 

We will be streaming the event on Facebook Live at facebook.com/VRARChicago, so you can join us that way! We will be monitoring the live streams for any questions that you might have to be fielded in the VR event.

 

Opening AltspaceVR in 2D, Navigating their Environment, & Finding Our Event

Once installed on your computer, open AltspaceVR. You will first be prompted to go through the tutorial, walking through “your apartment,” learning how to move, pick things up, and interact with them. This takes approximately 5 minutes or less.

Once you have ignited fireworks, thrown a basketball, typed in the super secret code to unlock a door, you will be sent to an information environment. It might be worth it to walk through this space to get a feel for AltspaceVR and what it has to offer. This can take up to 10-15 minutes if you decide to read through everything and interact with other new Altspacers.