HelixVision, Katanga, and DX9

These are configuration settings necessary to get DX9 HelixMod games working

Prerequisites

• This will work on any Nvidia GPU/Driver, but AMD/Intel will not work
• If you already have a 3DVision or 3D Interlaced or 3DTVPlay compatible device, use that instead of this more complex and multi-layered setup
• Use 3D Fix Manager to install 3DVision drivers
• VRto3D Setup is completed and working for your display

VRto3D Setup

• Set the disable_hotkeys VRto3D setting to true (be sure to set it back to false when not running a DX9 game!)

HelixVision Setup

• Install HelixVision from Steam
  • Sadly, it is no longer available for purchase
  • Launch HelixVision and navigate to Settings -> Display Profile
  • Check the Game Resolution box and ensure the Game resolution and refresh rate match your configured VRto3D render resolution and refresh rate
  • Check the Framerate Limit box and set it to Full Display Frequency
  • Close HelixVision and SteamVR
• Nvidia Control Panel (or run HelixVision and let it enable 3D)
  • Select the Set up stereoscopic 3D menu item
  • Select 3D Vision Discover
  • Set Depth to 100%
  • Set Keyboard Shortcuts -> Enable advanced in-game settings
  • Enable stereoscopic 3D
  • Apply
  • Close Nvidia Control Panel
• Katanga
  • Run katanga.exe from your Steam\steamapps\common\HelixVision\Tools\Katanga folder
  • SteamVR should start on your configured VRto3D display and you should see a slideshow on a curved virtual monitor at the bottom of your screen
  • Hold the Home key until the display becomes flat
  • Use the Arrow Keys to move and resize the slideshow until it covers your field of view in SteamVR
  • Close Katanga

Game Setup

• Helixmod installation
  • Run the game at least once to configure graphics settings according to any requirements from the 3DVision driver or Helixmod
  • Install the 3D fix - can be done manually by downloading it from HelixMod or through 3D Fix Manager
  • Run the game again and make sure you are seeing Anaglyph 3D
  • Exit the game
• Game Launch Shortcut (Can use HelixVision instead of this process, but it doesn't include all possible DX9 games)
  • Create a shortcut for katanga.exe on your desktop by Right Click -> Send To -> Desktop
    • Create a new shortcut for each game you want to run
  • Rename the shortcut to match the game you are going to run
  • Open the Properties of the shortcut Right Click -> Properties
  • Add but DO NOT DELETE from the end of the Target field:
    • --game-path "c:\your\path\to\game.exe" A game's exe location can be found using Steam's Manage -> Browse local files or in 3D Fix Manager under the title of the game
    • --launch-type DX9 or --launch-type DX9Ex Try the regular DX9 first and then DX9Ex if it fails
  • Click OK to close the Shortcut Properties

Running the Game

• It may be easier to get everything running on a multi-display setup, but single-display should work with gamepads
• Launch the shortcut on your desktop you created or launch a game from HelixVision
• Wait until the game reaches its main menu in Anaglyph 3D
• Alt + Tab to the Headset Window and you should see a 3D image
• If running single-display, use Ctrl + F8 to toggle the Headset Window to be always on top
  • It may also be necessary to use Alt + Enter on the game window to make it windowed
• If running multi-display, it may be necessary to shuffle windows around using Alt + Enter and (Shift +) Win + Left/Right
• Alt + Tab to the game window for controls to work
• HelixMod in-game hotkeys:
  • Ctrl + F3/F4 adjust depth
  • Ctrl + F5/F6 adjust convergence
  • Ctrl + F7 saves depth & convergence settings

Notes

• It is possible to get stuck where you can't properly exit the game or SteamVR or Katanga. In these situations, use Ctrl + Alt + Del and select Sign Out and allow Windows to force close everything.