After playing hours of Apex Legends, I was really curious how the HUD could translate to a physical gadget in a VR version of the game.
Tech
Please note -
Because I don't have access to an Oculus headset at home, this is the best WIP video I have of the finished vambrace in Unreal; it's pre-textured. Downfalls of working on a VR project is that it's not very accessible for working at home!
In the video, I'm pretty excited as I finally got the left and right vambrace attached to the hand's wrist joint, without the hand models mirroring the vambrace. In this template, the right hand is mirrored to create a left hand, so I had to use the right hand's blueprint to create a new left hand, and avoid the mirroring issue.
Below you can see what the vambrace looks like with a first pass material! (I'd like to revisit this texture as I think the saturation in the blue needs to be toned down.)
Design
Left arm
Inventory will go on rectangular screen showing equipped gear, weapons, attachments, grenades, health kits, and abilities buttons
Current equipped gun and ammo left on top screen
Right arm
Mini map will go on the rectangular screen, showing player and team location
Team and my health plus a compass for orienteering environment
Model iterations
I went through various changes with the vambrace's design, moving from an elongated shape, to a more ergonomic design that fits upon the arm comfortably.
Blocking out the shape and playing with the shape of the monitor and cover.
Cleaning up the monitor shape, adding buttons and thinner details, as the initial form was too chunky.
Contemplating adding straps underneath to 'hold' it to the arm, as well as including the buttons for the first time.
Approaching a possible final design with less buttons, as it looks too busy, and a shorter length so it fits upon the lower arm better.
Planning
References and sketches
I tracked my plans in Photoshop by creating an art bible full of references, sketches and notes. As I consider this project a work in progress - I'd like to make the vambrace interactive next - I'd prefer not to go too into detail yet, and simply share my art boards and plans thus far.
