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Activating License Keys on PC VR Systems

In the following tutorial, learn how to activate the license keys on PC VR System. Start by copying the license key to your clipboard. Launch Medicalholodeck and go to the settings page by clicking on the cog wheel in the main menu. Next, go to 'Licenses' tab at the top and select 'Enter License Key'. Paste the license key by clicking on the paste button and selecting 'Activate'.

Activating License Keys for Quest 2 Standalone VR Headsets

In the following tutorial, learn how to activate the license keys on Quest 2 standalone VR headsets. Connect your headset to the Internet and launch Medicalholodeck. Go to the settings page by clicking on the cog wheel in the main menu and select 'Licenses' tab at the top.

Note your 6-digit device ID from the bottom of the screen. You will need it for connecting your VR headset to your computer. Open a web browser on your computer, navigate to www.medicalholodeck.com/link, and add your headset’s device ID from the previous step. Select 'License Management’ from the menu, add your keys, and click 'Activate'.

Discover How to Use Your Hands to Interact, Scale, and Cut Data in a Virtual Reality Environment

Use your hands to interact with data. Put your right hand into a dataset until it's highlighted with a blue frame. Then pull the trigger to grab and move it. To scale the data, put both hands into a dataset until they are highlighted in blue. Then pull the triggers on both controllers and move the hands apart to scale and rotate the data.

To use live cut, activate the function from the control panel. A cutter is attached to your left hand. Move your hand into a dataset to see a live cut. You can fix the live cut plane in place by pulling the trigger. Hit the red x button with your laser to remove the cut.

Navigating the Apps in VR and AR

Use your right hand to navigate the user interface. Point at the desired item with the laser and pull the trigger to select it.

The Main Control Pad and the Library Panel are located centrally within your field of view. This serves multiple functions: it allows you to hide and show the Library Panel, initiate or join a TeamXR session, record movies, and RXR Files, open the Settings section on the Library Panel, reset the scene, and quit Medicalholodeck.

The Library Panel is organized into four sections. On the left, you'll find the Medical Imaging XR section. In the middle are the Dissection Master XR section and Anatomy Master XR section. On the right, you have the Saved Scenes and RecordXR sections.

Upon loading a dataset from the Library, the Object Pad appears. This pad is equipped with multiple tools to manipulate, measure, and annotate datasets. When medical imaging is loaded, the Medical Imaging XR Panel becomes visible. This panel is used to set tissue filtering and windowing for DICOMs. For detailed instructions on how to use it, please refer to the Tissue Filtering tutorial.

When working with Dissection Master XR or Anatomy Master XR datasets, dedicated panels become available. The Dissection Master XR Panel allows you to select layers of the active model and toggle annotations of the structures on and off. On the other hand, the Anatomy Master XR Panel presents a hierarchy of anatomical structures. This panel enables you to selectively display or hide specific organs and adjust their opacity.

Library & Main Menu

Main Panel

Medical Imaging XR User Interface

Importing Data on PC VR Systems: Importing DICOM, STL, OBJ, PDF, JPG, and MP4 and Other Media

To import a file, launch Medicalholodeck and click on the '+' button on the top left of the Library Panel. Use the file explorer to navigate to your data. Medicalholodeck supports multiple file formats, including DICOM, STL, OBJ, PDF, JPG, and MP4 files. Select the file or the whole folder by clicking on it, and then click the 'Select' button at the bottom.

Medicalholodeck will analyze the folder and display all the compatible data for review. You can select and import multiple files at once.

When you've made your selections, click the 'Import' button at the bottom of the screen. This will load your chosen data into the Library. Your selected data has been successfully imported and is ready for use.

Display DICOM

To display a DICOM dataset select it with the laser from the library. The data will load in front of you. Grab it with your hands or the laser. You can display several DICOM datasets side by side.

Display Multiple DICOM Datasets

You can load a DICOM dataset several times and compare them side by side. The active dataset is marked with a blue circle on the floor. Changes will appear only on the activated dataset. To activate another dataset, grab it with your hands or trigger it with the laser.

Importing Data on Standalone Devices (Quest 3, Pro, 2 etc.): Importing DICOM, RXR, STL, OBJ, PDF, JPG, and MP4 and Other Media

To import a file, launch Medicalholodeck and click the '+' button on the top left of the Library Panel. Next, go to the 'Cloud' tab and note your 6-digit device ID from the bottom of the screen, you will need it for connecting your VR headset to your computer.

Open a web browser on your computer, navigate to www.medicalholodeck.com/link, and add your headset’s device ID from the previous step. Select 'Upload' from the menu. An upload box will appear, ready to receive the files to import. Medicalholodeck supports various file formats, including DICOM, STL, OBJ, PDF, JPG, and MP4. Drag and drop the files onto the upload box. Wait until upload is finished.

Then put on your VR headset. In Medicalholodeck, select the files you want to add to the Library and click the 'Import' button at the bottom. Your files will now be available in Medicalholodeck Library, ready for work.

The Medical Imaging XR Panel: Windowing, Presets, Colors and Mesh Generator

Once you have loaded your DICOM dataset from the Library into VR, the Medical Imaging XR Panel will appear. This panel is your control center for customizing the display of DICOM data.
The Color Section is located at the top. Adjust the transparency and assign colors to specific Hounsfield Units (HU) using Color Pins.

The transparency is adjustable from 0% to 100%. Modify these values by moving the Color Pins vertically. Hounsfield Units (HU) allow you to filter DICOM data based on radiodensity. Moving the Color Pins horizontally will assign specific colors to specific HU values. Use the Color and Hue Pickers located on the right side to change the color of each pin.

The Preset Section is located on the left side of the panel. Medicalholodeck provides several built-in color presets. To edit a preset, move the existing color pins or add new ones until the desired tissues are visible. To save the current settings, click the "+" button at the top of the Preset Section. This will create a new custom preset.

Next, there is the Tissue Filter Section. This section includes the Lower and Upper Hounsfield Unit (HU) buttons. Move these buttons to window DICOM data until the desired body tissue is visible. You also have the option to switch between Relative and Absolute Color Values.

In absolute mode, colors are fixed to specific Hounsfield Units (HU). This means that when you limit the HU range using the Lower and Upper HU buttons, you also limit the visibility of colors associated with those HU values.

On the other hand, in relative mode, colors are not directly tied to specific HU values. Instead, they are relative to the current HU window. This means that when you adjust the HU range, the full spectrum of colors will still be visible within the new window, regardless of how narrow it might be. This allows more flexibility in visualizing different tissue types within a specific HU range.

Below the Tissue Filter Section, you will find the Mesh Generator Section. This feature allows you to generate a 3D mesh from your DICOM data, which can be used to create 3D models for printing or further analysis. Find a tutorial for mesh generating here.

Next, we have the Edge Filter Section. This feature is used to enhance the visibility of transitions between different tissue densities in your DICOM data. Filtering based on tissue homogeneity allows clearer differentiation between structures. When the filter is adjusted towards the left, it focuses on more homogeneous tissue. As you move the filter towards the right, it increasingly highlights areas where there is a rapid change in tissue density, such as transitions from soft to dense tissue. This makes it easier to distinguish between different structures in your dataset.

In the Quality Section, you can adjust the displayed quality of the DICOM data. This tool allows you to fine-tune the balance between the visual quality of your DICOM data and the application's performance. By adjusting this setting, you can optimize the display of your data to match the capabilities of your computer. Whether you prioritize high-resolution imagery or smoother performance, this function allows you to customize your experience to your needs.

Use tools for measuring, marking and drawing in virtual reality. The measurements, markers and drawings are connected to the active dataset and will move and scale with it. They can be removed with the delete tool on your Panel.

Measuring Distances in Virtual Reality: Precise Spatial Measurements in Medicalholodeck

To measure distances, select the measurement tool from the Control Panel. Move the black cone on your fingertip to the first position. Press the trigger to fix the first point, move the cone to the endpoint, and press the trigger again. The distance measure between the two points will be displayed in millimeters.

Select the delete function from the Control Panel to delete a measurement, move the delete icon on your fingertip to the measurement, and press the trigger.

How to Place and Remove Markers: Highlighting and Removing Key Points in VR

Highlight important areas in a DICOM with arrow-shaped markers. Select the marker function from the control panel, and an arrow will appear on your fingertip. Move it to the field of interest in your data set and press the trigger.

Select the delete function from the control panel to delete a marker, move the delete icon on your fingertip to the marker, and press the trigger. The marker will disappear.

Free Line Drawing in Virtual Environment

Use the drawing tool for free line drawing in VR. Select the tool from the Object Pad. Customize the thickness and color of lines. Use the provided Slider to increase or decrease the thickness, and select your favored Color on the Color Buttons.

After adjusting settings, hold the trigger on your right controller to initiate drawing. While holding the trigger, move your hand. You will notice lines drawn in 3D space. Experiment with different movements and angles to create your drawings.

To stop drawing, release the trigger button. This action will stop the creation of lines.

To delete a drawing, select the delete function from the Object Pad. A delete tool will appear on your fingertip. Move the delete tool over the drawing you want to remove and press the trigger button on your controller. This action will remove the selected drawing from the 3D environment.

Capture Screenshots

Capture screenshots and videos from inside the app. A preview of the captured screenshot will be visible on your right hand. Videos will capture your VR view. Photos and videos are stored in HD format (1920x1080) on your desktop. When using the screenshot or video function for the first time after starting the app it will take a few seconds until the camera is ready. Capture screenshots by clicking the function button on your right controller.

Capture Videos

Capture videos by activating the video function on the home menu UI. Stop recording by shooting with the laser on the button a second time.

Medical Imaging Quality Settings

Imagine stepping inside a patient’s body to examine their CT or MRI scan from the inside out - Virtual Reality is turning that into a reality. But to make this immersive experience seamless and effective, especially in VR, it's essential to understand how volumetric data is processed and how quality settings influence rendering performance.

What is volumetric data?

Volumetric data represents 3D anatomical structures by stacking 2D image slices, typically obtained through CT or MRI scans. Each slice captures a thin cross-section of the body at specific intervals. When combined these slices form a full 3D volume. These datasets are usually stored in the DICOM format, which includes both the images and the metadata needed to interpret them properly.

From slices to 3D visualization: processing and texturing

Visualizing volumetric data in VR involves sophisticated processing techniques. Texture maps are applied to each 2D slice, and algorithms interpolate between them to generate a smooth, continuous 3D representation. The more slices included-and the higher their resolution-the more detailed the final rendering. However, this increased fidelity comes with a computational cost.

Processing involves two key factors:
- Slice density: The number of slices in a dataset
- Texture resolution: The visual clarity of each slice.

Together, these determine how “complete” and realistic the 3D volume appears. A denser dataset with high-resolution textures offers more anatomical detail but requires more GPU and CPU power to render.

Challenges with large datasets in VR

Unlike conventional 2D image viewing, real-time 3D rendering in VR must maintain high frame rates (ideally 60 FPS on a PC, 30 on a standalone headset) to prevent motion sickness and ensure a smooth experience. Large volumetric datasets, while visually impressive, can overwhelm hardware if not managed properly. The larger the dataset - in physical dimensions, not just file size - the more processing power is required to render it effectively. This is where smart optimization and quality settings become essential.

Adaptive detail rendering

To balance performance with visual quality, VR systems use level of detail (LOD) techniques that adjust rendering based on the user’s distance from the dataset. When the user is close, the system displays high detail; when farther away, it switches to lower-resolution textures, since fine details aren’t noticeable at a distance. This approach preserves meaningful content while optimizing performance.

Data resolution

In volumetric imaging, resolution controls how sharp and detailed each slice appears. Users can manually select between low, medium, and high texture versions, depending on their performance needs and visual preferences.

Volumetric quality

The volume quality slider controls how much of the dataset is actively used during rendering:
- 50% Setting: All original slices from the DICOM dataset are used. This provides a faithful representation without interpolation.
- >50% Setting: The system begins to generate additional slices using interpolation algorithms, effectively increasing density beyond the original dataset. This can enhance detail but increases processing demands massively.
- <50% Setting: Fewer slices are used, reducing visual fidelity but improving performance.

Medical imaging settings in Medicalholodeck

You can set default rendering options in the settings panel on the left. Use the quality for volumes slider to adjust the density of the volume. Select the data resolution setting to choose between low, medium, or high texture quality. These settings will be applied when you load a new model from the library.Medicalholodeck’s recommended defaults are 10–14% volume quality and medium resolution for headsets, and 50% volume quality with full resolution for PCs.

These settings can also be adjusted for each individual model. Look for quality for volumes and data resolution at the bottom of the Medical Imaging XR panel, numbers 6 and 7.

Low framerate screen

You can monitor your device's frames per second (FPS) in the top-right corner of the object pad. If the frame rate drops below 10 FPS, a low FPS warning screen appears as a protective measure. It gives your device time to recover before becoming unresponsive or overheating. It also signals that rendering quality may need to be lowered or the workspace optimized. This screen isn't just a warning-it’s a safeguard against crashes and a prompt to maintain system stability.

When this screen appears, you can:
- Continue if your device can handle it.
- Or remove all data to lighten the load.
Then, check your quality settings to optimize performance.

Conclusion

Managing imaging quality settings is key to a smooth and effective VR experience. By adjusting volume quality, data resolution, and model-specific options, users can balance performance with visual clarity. These tools help make VR both responsive and clinically useful.