Virtual Reality is still in the early stages of its growth. While it is becoming more mainstream and more devices are hitting the market, the devices are still relatively expensive. That means the majority of people are using them in a limited capacity, and may not be getting the most out of their hardware. As with most new technology, there are people out there who are willing to invest the time and money to get the most out of their VR experience. As VR is a new device, there are many aspects of the technology that are still in the dark. For example, if you are buying a new VR headset, you may not be aware of the IPD (inter-pupillary distance) of the device. While it may not be
As Virtual Reality grows in popularity, more and more people are starting to use it. One of the most important things you can do to get the most out of the experience is to ensure that your headset uses a good optical image stabilization system. The great thing about IPD is that it’s a fairly quick and easy measurement that can be made with just a few simple steps!
Once you’ve decided that you want to try out virtual reality (VR) headsets, you’ll need to be sure that the headset you purchase fits your face properly. VR headsets have been around for years, but they’ve never seen such mass appeal. From the Oculus Rift to the HTC Vive to the Samsung Gear VR, there are now more than a dozen different options available.
Interpupillary distance, or IPD, refers to the distance between the centers of your eyes. When it comes to VR and AR headsets, knowing your IPD is crucial since headsets may be adjusted to match your IPD for optimum picture quality and comfort. Knowing your IPD is crucial in determining which headsets are best for your eyes. If you have a recent iPhone or iPad Pro, you may simply and automatically measure your IPD, or you can utilize one of many easy measuring techniques.
EyeMeasure is a free iOS app that measures your IPD using the TrueDepth camera on current iPhone and iPad Pro models. The measurement, according to Dotty Digital, is precise to within 0.5mm. When setting your headset after using the app, you’ll utilize the “far” IPD measurement.
The following iOS devices may be used to measure your IPD with the app:
iPad
- 12.9-inch iPad Pro (4th generation)
- 12.9-inch iPad Pro (3rd generation)
- 11-inch iPad Pro (2nd generation)
- 11-inch iPad Pro
Learn how to identify your iPad model if you don’t know which one you have.
Other Methods of Measuring Your IPD
If you don’t have access to one of the aforementioned equipment for automated measurement, there are a few additional options.
Consult an ophthalmologist (most accurate)
An eye-doctor will be able to give you the most precise IPD measurement. If you’ve gone to one since becoming an adult, your doctor should have an accurate measurement on file; contact them and ask if they can offer your IPD measurement in millimeters. If you’re under the age of 20 and haven’t seen an eye doctor in over a year, you should have a check-up to ensure you have the most up-to-date measurements.
Online IPD Calculator (easiest)
You can measure your IPD with a browser-based tool like this one from Ace & Tate. This will work through your browser on your computer or smartphone. You’ll be asked to upload a photo of yourself holding any standard-sized magnetic strip card (ie: credit card or drivers license) which will be used to establish the correct scale for the measurement.
Make Use of a Mirror (accurate but you need a ruler)
You can simply measure your IPD using a ruler and a mirror. These basic instructions, as well as a more comprehensive explanation, are provided by our buddy Oliver Kreylos.
- Hold a ruler up to your nose in front of a mirror, so that the measuring edge passes exactly under both of your pupils.
- Close your right eye and fix your gaze on your left. Place the ruler so that the “0” point is exactly below the middle of your left pupil. For the following phase, try to keep the ruler steady.
- Close your left eye and fix your gaze on your right. Your inter-pupillary distance is the mark immediately under the center of your right pupil.
Inquire with a Friend (you’ll need a ruler… and a friend)
Are you a vampire who doesn’t need the use of mirrors in your home? Request that a buddy with a steady hand place a ruler directly in front of your eyes. Ask your buddy to line the “0” mark with the center of one pupil and then read the measurement beneath the center of your other pupil as you look straight ahead at a faraway object. Your IPD is the result of the measurement.
This is also a great method to assess the IPD of a VR newbie to whom you’re giving a demo.
If you’re in a hurry, just eyeball it.
This is the most error-prone method, but it’s definitely better than nothing if you simply need a fast fix; it only works with headsets that feature a physical IPD adjustment.
Close your non-dominant eye when wearing the headset. Look at a crisp identifiable texture, such as lettering or the flat edge of an item, with your dominant eye open. Start changing the IPD setting back and forth to obtain the maximum sharpness point. This should bring you close to your desired IPD environment. We don’t suggest doing this exercise with both eyes open since it’s much simpler to misalign your IPD with both eyes open.
Thank you for sharing this technique in the comments, Allan Hambrick!
Why is it Important to Set Your IPD Correctly in a VR or AR Headset?
Feeding our eyes material that closely resembles how we see the actual world begins the process of convincing our brains that we are witnessing another reality. As with changing the breadth on a pair of binoculars, this involves ensuring sure the pictures are properly aligned with each eye.
Because we constantly view the world through the lens of our own IPD, proper headset alignment is critical for matching our entrenched sense of 3D depth and scale. The size of the virtual environment may seem to be somewhat off if the IPD of your headset is improperly adjusted.
Even if a headset lacks a physical IPD adjustment, most headsets have a software IPD adjustment that can rectify the feeling of scale. To configure this correctly in both instances, you’ll need to know your individual IPD measurement.
Setting the right IPD is also crucial for getting the best picture quality in VR and AR headsets.
When seen via the ‘optical center’ of the lens (also known as the ‘sweet spot,’ most headsets feature lenses and screens that are intended to provide optimal clarity and field of vision. You won’t obtain that maximum clarity and field of vision if the center of your eyes doesn’t line with the optical center of the lenses; depending on the lens, such misalignment may result in a startling decrease in visual quality.
Many headsets, thankfully, include physical IPD adjustments that enable you to alter the distance between the lenses to align your eyes with the optical center. Digital readouts in millimeters are shown within all major headsets with physical IPD adjustments, which you may use to adapt to your personal IPD.
In conclusion, understanding your IPD and properly adjusting it is critical for getting the greatest visual experience and comfort from any headset. If your measured IPD is unusual, check sure your headset can handle it; a headset with a physical IPD adjustment will accommodate a considerably broader range of IPD readings.
Virtual reality is a promising technology with a lot of potential, but one of the most frustrating things about it is that there is no way to accurately measure your inter-pupillary distance (IPD). This is a cornerstone of VR headsets, which need to know your IPD in order to properly adjust the lenses for your eyes. The main disadvantage of this is that it’s difficult to do it yourself, since there’s no easy way to measure your IPD.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does IPD matter in VR?
IPD is the distance between your pupils in centimeters. It does not matter in VR, but it can be an indicator of how well you are able to focus on a particular object.
Why do we measure IPD?
IPD stands for interpupillary distance, which is the distance between your pupils. This measurement is used to help determine how well a pair of glasses or contact lenses will fit you.
How do I find my VR IPD?
The IPD is the distance between your pupils. To find out your IPD, you can use this calculator.
Related Tags
This article broadly covered the following related topics:
- ipd measurement tool
- how to measure ipd
- ipd measurement
- oculus ipd measurement tool
- ipd test
