This document provides instructions for setting up a DIY mobile VR experience using Unity and the Google Cardboard SDK. The key steps are: 1. Download Unity 5 and the Google Cardboard SDK for Unity. Get an Android phone, Cardboard viewer, and Bluetooth controller. 2. Import a first person character controller asset. Add the Cardboard SDK to Unity. Create a test scene. 3. Build the Cardboard controller by adding prefabs for the character controller and Cardboard SDK, removing the main camera, and adjusting scripts. 4. Connect a PS4 controller via Bluetooth and remap the buttons. Build and deploy the Unity project to an Android device.

1. DIY Mobile VR
with Unity &
Cardboard SDK

2. Dr James Birt
Assistant Professor of Interactive Media
and Design (Games & Multimedia)
• BIT (Hons), PhD (Software Engineering &
Artificial Intelligence)
• 2014 Australian Office for Learning and
Teaching Citation for Outstanding Contribution
to Student Learning
• 15+ years industry & academic experience
• https://bond.edu.au/profile/dr-james-birt

3. Setup - What do you need?
Unity 5 - https://unity3d.com/ Google Cardboard SDK for Unity -
https://developers.google.com/cardboard/unity
/download
Hardware:
- Android Phone – E.g. Samsung S6
- Head Mounted Cardboard – E.g. ColorCross
- Bluetooth Controller – E.g. PlayStation 4
First Person Character Controller -
https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/9011716/
Character%20Controllers.zip

4. Create New Project
Create the project in
your own folder
location
1
2

5. • Download First Person Character Controller from -
https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/9011716/Character%20Controllers.zip
• Unzip the controller into your Assets Folder as shown
Add Character Controller

6. Add Cardboard SDK
1
2
https://developers.google.com/cardboard/unity/download

7. Create a Test Scene
Be mindful
of your
Frame Rates
try to reduce
your lighting
overheads

8. Build Cardboard Controller (Part1)
1. Add FPSController Prefab to your Hierarchy
2. Set the FPSController object Transform to
align with your scene

9. Build Cardboard Controller (Part2)
1. Add CardboardMain Prefab to you
Hierarchy and child to your FPSController
2. Set the CardboardMain object Transform to
the same values as the FPSController
Camera
3. Remove the Main Camera from the
FPSController & Hierarchy

10. Build Cardboard Controller (Part3)
1. Move the Cardboard
Head (Script) From
Head to First
Person Controller
2. Turn off Track
Position
3. Set Update Early
These steps will
allow you to move in
the direction your
character controller
is facing

11. Connect Your PS4 Controller
1. On controller hold down Share & PS buttons until light bar flashes white
2. On Android device, enable Bluetooth, then select the “Wireless
Controller” option listed. Once connected you will notice you can use the
controller to navigate your device

12. Set Build Settings for Android
1
2
3 4
5
Add your app
details settings I
have left as
default

13. Remap Controller Buttons
• Please note: Different android
devices will map the PlayStation
buttons differently
• You will need to experiment with
the button controls and actions
• This list is for PC only

14. Build to Your Android Device
1
For details on how to setup your Android phone:
http://www.slideshare.net/jamesbirt35/visualisation-interactive-prototyping-with-unity3d
2

15. Demo Scene
To make your lighting dynamic
try adding the following
JavaScript code to your
directional light & set your speed
variable e.g. 5