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Virtual Reality Documentation

The flexibility of virtual reality technology has opened the door for its use in many industries. No longer is the tech just a tool for gaming. Industries such as healthcare, interior design, and animation are utilizing this technology to improve businesses, products, and services. However, shifting this technology into new industries can be difficult. Virtual reality documentation is the key! This article highlights how technical writers with experience in virtual reality documentation can help. It will explain how virtual reality works to industries that are not familiar with this new technology.

Increased Use of Virtual Reality

The current image of the virtual reality (VR) industry is geared towards home entertainment devices. While this industry is still expanding, there has been a recent interest in adopting VR technology for non-entertainment uses. The applications of VR technology to different industries allow for further room for growth. Some project that, by 2024, the VR industry is going to be worth $12 billion. This growing field can prove profitable if harnessed correctly.

Reports have shown that the use of virtual reality devices has increased in many industries. Some examples are the engineering, healthcare, aerospace, and real estate industries, among others. The adoption of virtual reality in fields that have never used it before is a ripe area of expansion for the VR industry, and there are many opportunities for developers working in both software and hardware. However, with great power comes great responsibility. Unfortunately, this expansion creates potential difficulties by being too complex for new users. To help new consumers and industries utilize VR, they need the proper support. This is where virtual reality documentation, and Essential Data’s trained technical writers, can help.

Technical Writers in VR Provide Unique Benefits

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Virtual reality has a growing status as a new medium with wide applications. Thus, people need specialized knowledge to operate the hardware and software properly. Building out a suite of virtual reality documentation for producers and end users can certainly help. When it comes to making this documentation, however, never sacrifice quality for quantity. Technical writers are highly skilled at developing comprehensive, yet concise, documentation that is accessible to all. Having a technical writer available allows for a wider audience to use virtual reality in their business. This further encourages VR’s expansion and your company’s profits. So, having a concisely written form of virtual reality documentation to explain the ins and outs of virtual reality technology allows those unfamiliar with VR to effectively use it and receive all the wonderful benefits VR has to offer.

Essential Data Technical Writers

With more and more industries using virtual reality, your technical writers need to know the specific needs of your industry to develop effective virtual reality documentation. This is just one reason why partnering with Essential Data is a step toward success. Our 30+ years in the field have enabled us to identify a wide network of vetted technical writing professionals with varying industry experiences. When you are matched with a writer who already knows your industry, then the writers can identify the best way to break down the information for those in your field. Clients receive an understanding of how virtual reality works and its benefits when writers tailor it to their specific industry. 

Essential Data’s network of clear and concise technical writers ensures that you are always paired with the best person for your job. Collaboration between you, our Engagement Managers, and a highly-skilled tech writer can help develop virtual reality documentation to help the consumer understand exactly what they need to know to make the best use of virtual reality in their business. Essential Data accomplishes this by setting up the hardware, troubleshooting issues such as software not rendering properly, and explaining the advantages of virtual reality.

Elements to Include in Virtual Reality Documentation

Proper and understandable virtual reality documentation is crucial for the development, deployment, and maintenance of VR applications. Here is an outline of key elements to include in virtual reality documentation:

  1. Introduction:
    • Provide an overview of virtual reality technology, its purpose, and potential use cases.
    • Define the scope of the virtual reality documentation and identify the target audience.
  1. System Requirements:
    • List the hardware and software requirements necessary for running the VR application.
    • Specify the recommended specifications for VR devices, such as headsets, controllers, and sensors.
    • Document any dependencies on specific operating systems, graphics cards, or other peripherals.
  1. Installation and Setup:
    • Provide step-by-step instructions for installing the VR software, drivers, and required libraries.
    • Describe the process for setting up VR devices, including headset calibration and controller pairing.
    • Address any troubleshooting tips or known issues during installation or setup.
  1. User Interface and Navigation:
    • Explain the user interface elements, such as menus, buttons, and gestures, used in the VR application.
    • Describe the navigation methods within the virtual environment, including teleportation, hand tracking, or locomotion techniques.
    • Provide guidance on interacting with objects or manipulating virtual elements.
  1. VR Application Workflow:
    • Define the high-level workflow of the VR application, including the main features, interactions, and user actions.
    • Outline the sequence of steps involved in starting, pausing, and exiting the VR experience.
    • Describe any specific modes or states within the application and how to transition between them.
  1. Controls and Interactions:
    • Document the supported input methods, such as hand controllers, haptic feedback, or voice commands.
    • Explain the mapping of physical actions to virtual actions, such as grabbing objects, pointing, or triggering events.
    • Provide guidelines on using gestures, button combinations, or other input techniques.
  1. Customization and Configuration:
    • Explain the options available for customizing the VR application’s settings, preferences, or graphics quality.
    • Document any configuration files, parameters, or console commands that can be modified.
    • Include guidance on adjusting comfort settings, such as field of view, motion blur, or simulation sickness mitigation.
  1. Content Creation and Integration:
    • If applicable, provide documentation on creating or importing 3D models, textures, animations, or audio assets.
    • Explain the process for integrating external content or data into the VR application.
    • Specify the supported file formats, resolution limits, or performance considerations for content creation.
  1. Performance Optimization:
    • Document best practices for optimizing performance and reducing latency in the VR application.
    • Provide guidance on reducing graphical artifacts, frame drops, or stuttering during VR experiences.
    • Explain techniques for managing resource usage, such as texture compression, level-of-detail (LOD), or occlusion culling.
  1. Troubleshooting and FAQs:
    • Compile a list of common issues, errors, or unexpected behaviors that users may encounter.
    • Provide troubleshooting steps or workarounds for resolving known problems.
    • Include a Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) section addressing common inquiries.
  1. Safety and Comfort Guidelines:
    • Outline safety considerations and best practices for VR usage, including physical space requirements, ergonomics, and potential health risks.
    • Provide instructions for taking breaks, adjusting IPD (interpupillary distance), or handling discomfort symptoms.
    • Include warnings or precautions regarding potential risks, such as motion sickness or seizures.
  1. Legal and Ethical Considerations:
    • Address any legal or ethical guidelines relevant to the VR application, such as data privacy, intellectual property rights, or content restrictions.
    • Document any age restrictions or parental control features implemented in the VR experience.
  1. Glossary and Terminology:
    • Compile a glossary of key VR-related terms, abbreviations, and acronyms used throughout the documentation.
    • Ensure a consistent and clear understanding of the terminology across all users.

Remember, virtual reality documentation should be regularly reviewed, updated, and refined based on user feedback and advancements in VR technology. It is essential to provide comprehensive and accessible documentation to facilitate the smooth and effective use of VR applications.

Other Benefits of Technical Writers for Virtual Reality Documentation

While it may be tempting to delegate developing virtual reality documentation to an in-house employee, it is almost always more beneficial to work with an external technical writer. One of the benefits is that these writers have distance from your company and product. This gives the outside technical writers a better understanding of what questions would be asked, and thus need to be answered, by the documentation. However, there are still other benefits of hiring technical writers to take care of virtual reality documentation. One more is that virtual reality companies would have more development time to ensure the best product possible. The added development time to address any potential hardware malfunctions or software bugs would also give the end consumer a better experience. A better experience will build customer satisfaction and brand loyalty, all while boosting sales.

The benefits of hiring a technical writer make it more likely for clients to continue implementing virtual reality technology in their business model. This will help set up a mutually beneficial business relationship, boosting your company’s status and optics.

Conclusion

The growth of virtual reality in various fields has allowed more industries to innovate with the technology. The adoption of new technologies inevitably comes with learning new information. Essential Data’s tech writers can promise to provide adequate virtual reality documentation to every client in an efficient manner.

How can EDC Help?

Essential Data Corporation

Prior to the VR boom, clients likely did not receive knowledge of virtual reality. First used for gaming, the technology has shown promise in being adapted to many other industries. However, with this change may come many questions. Therefore, the use of a technical writer can help clarify the complexity of virtual reality to new users and those in industries new to VR. A tech writer may provide user guides, training manuals, and software documentation. Ensuring that your virtual reality documentation is effective is critical as the VR field grows. EDC’s technical writers can help make this change happen faster and as cleanly as possible for clients.

Whether you need a single technical writer for a brief project, or a team of consultants to produce a complete line of documentation, the quality of our work is guaranteed for you. Our clients work closely with an Engagement Manager from one of our 30 local offices for the entire length of your project at no additional cost. Contact us at (800) 221-0093 or sales@edc.us