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Frequently Asked Questions

General Questions​

What is catnet VR OS?​

catnet VR OS is an open-source VR overlay system that lets you create and manage 2D windows in your VR space. Think of it as adding unlimited monitors to your VR environment.

Is it free?​

Yes! catnet VR OS is completely free and open source. You can even modify it for your needs.

What VR headsets are supported?​

Any SteamVR-compatible headset works:

  • Meta Quest 2/3 (via Link/Air Link)
  • Valve Index
  • HTC Vive/Vive Pro
  • Pico 4
  • Windows Mixed Reality

Do I need a powerful PC?​

  • Minimum: GTX 1060 / RX 580, 8GB RAM
  • Recommended: RTX 3060 / RX 6600, 16GB RAM
  • More overlays need more GPU power

Installation & Setup​

Where do I download it?​

Visit vros.cat for the latest release. The installer includes everything you need.

Do I need SteamVR?​

Yes, SteamVR must be installed and working. catnet VR OS runs as a SteamVR overlay.

Can I use it with Oculus/Meta software?​

You need to run SteamVR alongside Oculus software. Use Oculus Link or Air Link, then start SteamVR.

It doesn't appear in my dashboard​

  1. Restart SteamVR
  2. Check if catnet VR OS is running in system tray
  3. Look for the catnet icon in SteamVR settings → Startup/Shutdown

Using Overlays​

How many overlays can I have?​

There's no hard limit, but performance depends on your GPU. Most users run 3-6 overlays comfortably.

Can I interact with overlays?​

Yes! Point and click with VR controllers. Keyboard and mouse also work normally.

Do overlays work in all VR apps?​

Overlays work in most VR applications. Some competitive games may block them for anti-cheat reasons.

Can I watch Netflix/YouTube?​

Yes, use a Browser overlay. Some streaming services work better in desktop capture mode.

How do I type in VR?​

  • Physical keyboard works normally
  • Some headsets have hand tracking for virtual keyboards
  • Voice-to-text coming in future update

Performance​

Why is my framerate dropping?​

  • Too many overlays active
  • High resolution settings
  • GPU at capacity
  • Try lowering overlay resolution or count

Overlays are flickering​

  1. Update GPU drivers
  2. Disable GPU scheduling in Windows
  3. Try different refresh rates
  4. Check for overlay Z-fighting (overlapping)

My PC gets hot​

VR is demanding. Ensure good ventilation and consider:

  • Lowering overlay resolutions
  • Reducing overlay count
  • Checking thermal paste on GPU/CPU

Features​

Can I save my overlay setup?​

Yes! Use the Position Layout tab to save and load layouts. Create different layouts for work, gaming, etc.

Is there controller support?​

Full VR controller support with customizable bindings. Steam Input API integration for advanced control.

Can others see my overlays?​

Currently overlays are local only. Multi-user support is planned for a future release.

Does it support curved overlays?​

Yes, overlays can be flat or curved. Curved overlays are easier to read at wide angles.

Can I use it for productivity?​

Absolutely! Many users replace multiple monitors with VR overlays for coding, design, and office work.

Troubleshooting​

Overlays disappeared​

  • Press Ctrl+Alt+H to toggle all overlays
  • Check if hidden in Process Manager
  • Reload your saved layout

Can't grab overlays​

  • Ensure grip button is working
  • Check controller bindings
  • Try restarting the overlay

Black screen in overlay​

  • Display capture: Check monitor is on
  • Browser: Refresh the page
  • Check Windows display settings

Crashes on startup​

  1. Verify SteamVR works alone
  2. Run as administrator
  3. Check antivirus exceptions
  4. Reinstall Visual C++ redistributables

Advanced​

Can I create my own plugins?​

Yes! Check the developer documentation for the plugin API.

Is there an API?​

The VROP (VR Overlay Protocol) API lets you create custom overlays. Full documentation available.

Can I contribute?​

We welcome contributions! Our GitHub repository will be available soon.

Where are settings stored?​

  • Windows: %APPDATA%\catnet\vros\
  • Config files are JSON format
  • Layouts saved separately

Comparison​

How does this compare to OVR Toolkit?​

Both are VR overlay systems. catnet VR OS is:

  • Open source
  • Free
  • Focused on extensibility
  • Plugin-based architecture

Is this like Virtual Desktop?​

Virtual Desktop focuses on desktop streaming. catnet VR OS is for creating multiple overlay windows, not just desktop mirroring.

Can I use this with other overlay apps?​

Yes, catnet VR OS works alongside other SteamVR overlays. Be mindful of performance with multiple overlay apps.

Support​

Where can I get help?​

How do I report bugs?​

Bug reporting will be available soon. When ready, please include:

  • System specs
  • Steps to reproduce
  • Error messages
  • Log files from %APPDATA%\catnet\logs\

Is there a roadmap?​

Our project roadmap will be available when we open-source the project.

Didn't find your answer? Ask on our community forum!