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Creating Your First Overlay

This guide will walk you through creating your first VR overlay in catnet VR OS.

What is a VR Overlay?​

A VR overlay is a 2D window that appears in your VR space. It can display:

  • Desktop windows
  • Web browsers
  • Media players
  • Custom applications
  • System monitors

Quick Start: Display Capture​

The easiest way to start is with a display capture overlay that shows your desktop.

Step 1: Open the Dashboard​

  1. Put on your VR headset
  2. Press the dashboard button on your controller
  3. Click the catnet icon to open our dashboard

Step 2: Create a Display Capture Overlay​

  1. Go to the Process Manager tab
  2. Click ➕ Spawn Process
  3. Configure your overlay:
    • Name: "My Desktop"
    • Type: Display Capture
    • Display: Select your monitor
    • Size: Medium (1.0m)
  4. Click Spawn

Step 3: Position Your Overlay​

Your new overlay appears in front of you. To position it:

  1. Grab: Point at the overlay and hold the grip button
  2. Move: Move your controller to reposition
  3. Resize: Use both controllers to stretch/shrink
  4. Rotate: Twist your wrist while gripping

Step 4: Interact with Your Overlay​

  • Click: Point and press trigger
  • Scroll: Point and use thumbstick/touchpad
  • Type: Physical keyboard works normally
  • Right-click: Point and press grip + trigger

Creating Other Overlay Types​

Web Browser Overlay​

  1. In the spawn dialog, choose Type: Browser
  2. Enter a URL (e.g., https://youtube.com)
  3. Spawn and position as before

Tool Overlay (Wrist-mounted)​

  1. Choose Type: Wrist Mount
  2. Select Anchor: Left or Right Hand
  3. The overlay follows your wrist movement

Media Player Overlay​

  1. Choose Type: Media Player
  2. Select a video file or stream URL
  3. Use overlay controls for playback

Managing Your Overlays​

Save Layout​

  1. Position all overlays as desired
  2. Go to Position Layout tab
  3. Click Save Current Layout
  4. Name your layout (e.g., "Work Setup")

Load Layout​

  1. Go to Position Layout tab
  2. Select a saved layout
  3. Click Load Layout

Hide/Show Overlays​

  • Hide: Click the eye icon in Process Manager
  • Show: Click the eye icon again
  • Hide All: Use the global hide hotkey

Tips for New Users​

Comfort Settings​

  • Start with overlays at arm's length
  • Use curved overlays for better readability
  • Adjust opacity if overlays feel too bright

Performance​

  • Limit overlays to 3-4 for best performance
  • Close unused overlays to save resources
  • Use smaller resolutions for better frame rates

Organization​

  • Group related overlays together
  • Use consistent sizing for similar content
  • Save different layouts for different tasks

Advanced Features​

Pinning Overlays​

Make an overlay stay in world space:

  1. Select the overlay
  2. Go to Settings tab
  3. Enable World Locked
  4. The overlay stays put when you move

Overlay Shortcuts​

Create quick-access shortcuts:

  1. Right-click an overlay in Process Manager
  2. Select Create Shortcut
  3. Access from the shortcuts menu

Multi-Monitor Setup​

Show multiple monitors:

  1. Create multiple display capture overlays
  2. Select different monitors for each
  3. Arrange them to match physical layout

What's Next?​

Getting Help​

  • In-VR Help: Press the help button in dashboard
  • Community: forum.vros.cat
  • Discord: Coming Soon