id	summary	reporter	owner	description	type	status	priority	milestone	component	version	resolution	keywords	cc	blockedby	blocking	notify_on_close	platform	project
9640	Use OpenXR instead of SteamVR for virtual reality rendering	Tom Goddard	Tom Goddard	"The OpenXR API for virtual reality has gained wide-spread acceptance.  It allows rendering to Oculus headsets using the Oculus App without also requiring SteamVR.  This is likely to make it more reliable and perhaps improve performance.  Since Oculus Quest headsets are most of the current VR market using OpenXR will simplify the use of VR by not requiring Steam and SteamVR.

Headsets such as Valve Index and Vive Pro that natively use SteamVR also work with the OpenXR API since the SteamVR app handles the OpenXR protocol.

Converting ChimeraX to OpenXR from SteamVR is part of our NIAID 2023 contract.

ChimeraX currently uses the OpenVR / SteamVR API through the pyopenvr PyPi package.  The OpenXR support will use the pyopenxr PyPi packages which is developed by the same person as pyopenvr (cbruns).
"	enhancement	assigned	moderate		VR								all	ChimeraX