How to Use the App

The best way to learn how to use Geology-Verse is to download it and experiment. However, for those unfamiliar with using computer games a short tutorial is provided here. Educators in particular will want to be able to help ensure their students can use the app. A manual can also be found here.

Starting an Activity
Once you’ve started Geology-Verse a list of installed activities will be shown on the menu script. To start an activity select it in the list. Geology-Verse will show you some information about the locality. Select the level of the activity you wish to investigate using the buttons at the bottom of the information menu and press play. Geology-Verse will now display the launch window. To start an offline solo session simply press play in the launch window. To join an online multiplayer session enter the session name and password you will have been given by the session organiser.

To set-up an online multiplayer session use the Educator activity and enter a new session name and password. Once set-up other users can join the session at any time as long as they have the the session name and password.

Moving in the Virtual World
In non-VR Geology-Verse uses standard FPS game control keys for movement, where W is forward, S back and A and D rotate. Holding left shift enables running. The user can jump using the spacebar, whilst R toggles crouch. Users can also use the mouse to turn by holding down the right mouse button and run by holding down the mouse wheel. These controls are shown below. When flying the up and down arrow keys control altitude.

In VR, using an Oculus Rift/Quest 2 and touch controllers, two types of movement can be activated from the start menu. Smooth movement uses the controller thumbsticks to control movement and movement speed. Teleport moves the user to the position of the 3D cursor on press of the left thumbstick. The VR controls are shown below. 

Using the Menu
In Geology-Verse each player has a datapad on which they can perform numerous tasks. In non-VR the datapad is shown using the P button. Pressing P twice maximises the size of the datapad on the screen. In VR the datapad is located in a bag on the off-hand side of the player. The datapad is grabbed using the secondary trigger by placing your off-hand into the bag. Buttons can be activated in VR under the index finger by pressing the trigger button. Some windows, such as the map or images can also be dragged by holding the trigger whilst moving your hand. The menu is shown below.

Many of the options in the menu apply to online multiplayer functions. The player can put their hand-up, mute themselves, hide other users avatars or send text messages. The messages sent by a player are only received by the group in which they have been assigned by the Educator. Users can also send messages to a particular user by starting the message with @username.

Two useful functions in multiplayer sessions are ping and line. The ping function allows a player to point to a feature in the world. The line function allows a user to draw a line in the world. Both ping and lines will be seen by all other users within the group. When activated, for example by the Educator, the fly button will also appear within the datapad. The settings menu also provides buttons to reset the players position and to re-spawn the quad bike.

Interacting with the World
Points of interest in the world are labelled with markers in the virtual world. Many of these points of interest are higher resolution photographs, however, they include 3D models and demonstrations. The player can click markers with the mouse (or point at them and press the trigger in VR). The information in the point of interest will be shown on the datapad. Markers are shown below.

High Resolution Models
Some points of interest contain higher resolutions of models. These models are displayed in a separate room to the main environment and usually you will be able to fly in these spaces to enable you to view the model from different viewpoints. In online mode you will still be able to talk to your group whilst in a separate room. Some high resolution models include information markers that can be used to reveal particular features of the outcrop. To leave and return to the world, press the X marker in the room.

Using Vehicles
In larger localities vehicles, such as quad bikes, cars and dinghys, are provided to help users get around. When you approach a vehicle the mount button will be displayed as a graphic. Driving vehicles uses similar controls to movement. Graphical guides to operating vehicles are usually placed close to the driving seat. Look around to find them. On the dinghy the wind direction is shown by the flag at the top of the mask. In vehicles in non-VR you can look around using the mouse and holding down the right mouse button.

Making Measurements
Measurements of the orientation of planes and lines can be made using the compass. Press C in non-VR, or grab from around your neck in VR, to pull out the compass. The compass shows bearing and distance. Press M to measure (trigger in VR). The dip and dip direction under the compass point will be displayed as shown: