This knowledgebase article will show you how to setup your VIVE Ultimate Trackers to track the position and rotation of StretchSense Studio gloves in space while using SteamVR and a headset with inside-out-tracking like Meta Quest. It will also cover how to correct for the final orientation of the trackers in your Unity application, but the initial setup and calibration steps can also be applied when using the trackers in Unreal Engine.
You will be required to enroll your trackers in the VIVE Ultimate Tracker PCVR Beta (explained further into this guide).
INFO: If you are using a VIVE Focus 3.0 , VIVE Elite XR or VIVE Focus Vision headset, please refer to HTC’s guides on how to pair the VIVE Ultimate Trackers directly to these as it is possible to make these appear as SteamVR compatible XR trackers by changing the streaming options within VIVE Hub. You can then skip part 2 of this guide and go straight to SteamVR Tracker Role Setup .
| Description | Version |
|---|---|
| Hand Engine | 3.3.0-LITE |
| StretchSense App for SteamVR | 0.9.0 |
| Steam Desktop Client | latest |
| SteamVR | 2.8.x or later |
| VIVE Hub | latest |
| Meta Quest Link app for Windows (optional - free) | latest |
| Virtual Desktop Streamer for Windows (optional - free) | latest |
| Virtual Desktop for Meta Quest (optional - paid) | latest |
Please refer to Valve’s Steam Link minimum and recommended specifications. For the best experience we recommend that your PC matches the recommended specs provided by Valve.
This guide supports the following hardware options:
| Motion Capture Gloves (choose one) | Image |
|---|---|
| StretchSense Studio Gloves, Pro Studio for Xsens, Pro Studio. |
| XR Trackers | Image |
|---|---|
| 2x VIVE Ultimate Tracker(also available in a 3-tracker bundle which includes dongle, suitable for VRChat upper-body tracking) | |
| 1x VIVE Wireless Dongle (required to connect to up to 5x VIVE Ultimate Trackers) |
| Tracker Mounts (choose one) | Image |
|---|---|
| 2x StretchSense Studio Optical/Universal Mount(not recommended for high activity VR because of the strain on the gloves) | |
| Rebuff Reality Trackstraps Set (Wrists + Belt) | |
| AMVR 5 Pcs VR Tracker Straps Accessories for HTC VIVE 3.0(use the palm straps from this bundle) |
| VR Headsets (choose one) | Image |
|---|---|
| Meta Quest 2 | |
| Meta Quest 3 / 3S |
WARNING: Due to recent changes in SteamVR Link to support hand tracking, connecting to your PC using this app is not supported as it prevents the OpenGloves or StretchSense SteamVR add-ons from binding to the gloves. Use Meta Quest Link or Virtual Desktop instead.
These steps will take you through how to connect and configure two trackers for use with SteamVR.
NOTE: For this example, we are using SteamVR Version 2.3.5 with a Meta Quest 3 headsetand2x VIVE Ultimate Trackers. These instructions may vary slightly depending on your headset so make sure to follow the initial setup instructions from the headset manufacturer. 4. Connect your Meta Quest headset to the same WiFi network as your gaming PC. 5. Ensure your Meta Quest headset is updated to the latest system firmware (v60 or higher). 6. On your Meta Quest headset, connect to your PC via Meta Quest Link or Virtual Desktop. 7. Connect your headset and base stations, conduct the Room Setup and choose Room Scale when prompted. 8. (optional) With SteamVR running, go to the SteamVR settings menu and toggle Show Advanced Settings. Adjust the following setting: Video → Pause VR when headset is idle. This will allow SteamVR to send tracker data to apps, even when the headset is not worn. 9. In your Meta Quest headset, change the power settings to never let the headset sleep. 10. Mount each VIVE Ultimate tracker to your StretchSense Studio Glove using a 1/4” screw to the universal mount or compatible wrist straps. We recommend using the palm straps from AMVR for maximum stability. Ensure that the trackers are fastened tightly. Depending on the mount you use, rotate each tracker on the mount so the virtual controller’s LED faces the correct directions as pictured below. In the StretchSense SteamVR app, select the mount below.
| 3D Printed Stretch Sense Mount for Studio Gloves | Wrist Straps | AMVR Palm Straps | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Comfort | |||
| Precision | |||
| Mounting | |||
| App tracker mount preset | |||
| Get Mount From | StretchSense VIVE Ultimate Tracker Mount-external-hooks.stl | https://rebuffreality.com/products/trackstrap-bundle-for-vive-trackers | https://www.amazon.com/Tracker-Adjustable-Tracking-Trackers-Wristband-NO/dp/B07S58VWP6 |
| Mounting Notes | Use for best hand position accuracy for basic SteamVR content at the expense of comfort. Remove the 1/4” screw baseplate and clip directly to the 3D printed mount. Attach hair ties or rubber bands to loop around hooks to stabilize wobbling - you may need to choose the correct band length to avoid straining the connectors of the glove electronics module. Use foam tape under the mount to increase comfort. | Mounting preset is compatible with most VR straps but will not track wrist bend. Is comfortable and lets the hand move more freely. We recommend AMVR wrist straps or Rebuff Reality track straps. Use the 1/4” screw baseplate to mount on strap. | Use AMVR palm straps for best hand position accuracy for high-energy SteamVR games with lots of movement. Has the best overall comfort, balanced with hand position accuracy. Use the 1/4” screw baseplate to mount on strap. WARNING: This strap may impact joystick reliability. |
TIP: Steam must be installed in the default location (e.g. C:\Program Files (x86)\Steam ) for the tracker selection menu to work. A fix to allow selection of a different Steam install path will be coming in a future update.
INFO: VIVE Ultimate Trackers are now supported in general availability in VIVE Hub and no longer require enrolment in the Ultimate Tracker PCVR Beta. If you have previously used trackers enrolled in the beta, update VIVE Hub and the trackers to the latest production release.
Following these steps can take up to 1 hour to get a good initial tracking calibration. Once setup, future sessions with the trackers just require you to turn them on.
You can also refer to the following VIVERSE Discord channels for guides and support (check the pinned posts on these channels):
https://youtu.be/DP_Et4H0sqA?si=GA9HO1pI5bKJGOnm
5. Click Create Tracking Map to begin the room scanning process.
TIP: You will only have to do this once. After the scan is complete, the tracking map will be automatically shared with the other VIVE Ultimate Trackers when they are turned on,
INFO: If you have trouble during calibration, use these following tips:
Ensure you select the correct power frequency setting for your location in VIVE Hub under Advanced settings. This will help avoid issues with overhead light flickering negatively impacting the tracking quality:
US - 60Hz
NOTE: You must periodically update your calibration in VIVE Space Calibrator as the calibration will eventually drift between play settings if the Meta Quest headset goes to sleep. Both the Quest controllers and Ultimate Trackers must be connected at the same time, with the tracker roles set to Disabled .
INFO: This guide requires you to have installed Open Gloves and the StretchSense App for SteamVR, as well as Virtual Desktop, Meta Quest Link or Steam Link to connect to SteamVR running on your PC. This VIVE Ultimate Tracker workflow is not currently compatible with the stretchsense SteamVR add-on, so it must remain disabled as per these instructions.
NOTE: Remember to re-run the calibration if the Meta Quest headset goes to sleep or you restart the headset.
VIVE_ultimate_tracker setting ON and htc_business_streaming setting OFF. The Ultimate Trackers will not appear in SteamVR as a tracker without VIVE_ultimate_tracker ON and you will not be able to proceed with the VIVE space calibrator calibration process.
- Uninstall VIVE Business Streaming prior to installing VIVE Hub. If you uninstall VIVE Business Streaming while VIVE Hub is also installed it will remove the SteamVR Add-Ons, which will require you to reinstall VIVE Hub.
- When performing the VIVE Space Calibrator routine, ensure only one tracker is turned on and you are using the tracker with the star next to it as the one you hold in hand during calibration.
| Changelog | Version | Publish Date (YYYY/MM/DD) |
|---|---|---|
| - Remove support for Steam Link as it is not compatible with VIVE Ultimate Trackers at this time. - Simplify VIVE Space Calibrator steps to disable Ultimate Tracker roles while performing calibration. Disabling StretchSense SteamVR driver add-on is no longer required. - Add note on AMVR thumb strap impacting joystick reliability | v1.2.0 | 2024/12/2 |
| - Add rating and mount preset labels for each supported Ultimate Tracker mount. - Add links to purchase recommended straps or download 3D printable file. | v1.1.0 | 2024/10/11 |
| Initial version. | v1.0.0 | 2024/10/10 |