Using VisApex with opentrack UDP

VisApex can optionally send its 6DoF head tracking data through opentrack UDP. This allows VisApex to be used as a tracking source for opentrack, as well as for head tracking mods and other software that accept opentrack UDP input.

VisApex does not require opentrack for normal head tracking. Use opentrack UDP when you specifically need opentrack or when a game, head tracking mod, or other compatible software accepts opentrack UDP input.

Enable opentrack UDP in VisApex

  1. Open VisApex and go to Tracking → Output Mode.
  2. Select opentrack UDP.
  3. The opentrack UDP settings will appear below the Output Mode selection.
  4. For applications running on the same computer as VisApex, use the default settings:
    • Host: 127.0.0.1
    • Port: 4242
  5. Start head tracking in VisApex.

VisApex will now send 6DoF head tracking data to the configured host and port using opentrack UDP.

Using VisApex with opentrack

To use VisApex as the tracking source for opentrack:

  1. In VisApex, go to Tracking → Output Mode and select opentrack UDP.
  2. Leave the Host set to 127.0.0.1 when opentrack is running on the same computer.
  3. The default VisApex UDP port is 4242.
  4. Open opentrack.
  5. Set Input to UDP over network.
  6. Configure the UDP input port in opentrack to match the port configured in VisApex. With the default VisApex settings, use port 4242.
  7. Select the appropriate Output in opentrack for the game you want to use.
  8. Start head tracking in VisApex and click Start in opentrack.

opentrack should now receive VisApex’s 6DoF head tracking data and forward it to the game using the output selected in opentrack.

Using VisApex with Head Tracking Mods

Some games have community-created head tracking mods that accept opentrack UDP input directly.

If a mod supports opentrack UDP input, VisApex can send its tracking data directly to the mod:

VisApex → opentrack UDP → Head Tracking Mod

In this configuration, you do not need to run opentrack itself unless the mod specifically requires it.

To set it up:

  1. In VisApex, go to Tracking → Output Mode.
  2. Select opentrack UDP.
  3. If the mod is running on the same computer, leave the VisApex Host set to 127.0.0.1.
  4. Configure the head tracking mod to receive opentrack UDP input.
  5. Make sure the UDP port expected by the mod matches the port configured in VisApex. The default VisApex port is 4242.
  6. Start head tracking in VisApex.

The mod should now receive VisApex’s 6DoF head tracking data directly.

Host and Port Settings

The default opentrack UDP settings in VisApex are:

Host: 127.0.0.1
Port: 4242

127.0.0.1 is the localhost or loopback address. Use it when VisApex and the receiving application or mod are running on the same computer.

The Host setting can also be changed when you need to send tracking data to another compatible device or computer on your network. In that case, enter the IP address of the device running the receiving software.

The receiving application must be configured to listen on the same UDP port that VisApex is sending to.

When Should I Use opentrack UDP?

Use opentrack UDP when:

  • A head tracking mod accepts opentrack UDP input.
  • You want to use VisApex as the tracking source for opentrack.
  • You want opentrack to handle the final output to a game.
  • Another compatible application accepts opentrack UDP input.
  • You want to send VisApex tracking data to compatible software running on another computer.

For games that already work directly with VisApex, opentrack is normally not required.

Tracking Adjustments

When using VisApex together with opentrack, keep in mind that both applications can apply their own curves, smoothing, and other tracking adjustments.

In most cases, it is easier to perform your main tracking adjustments in one application rather than applying similar processing in both.