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Hardware: Leap Motion#

Leap Motion® controllers are high-precision motion-tracking devices designed to capture hand and finger movements in three-dimensional space.

About Leap Motion

Manufactured by Ultraleap, Leap Motion Controllers uses two infrared (IR) cameras and three infrared LEDs to create a stereoscopic image of the interaction area, enabling sub-millimeter accuracy. Depending on the version, devices tracks up to 200 frames per second and provides real-time data through its software development kit (SDK), which supports multiple platforms including Windows, macOS, and various VR/AR systems. Leap Motion is often integrated into virtual and augmented reality environments to enable intuitive, touchless interaction through natural hand gestures.
Learn more at the manufacturer's Ultraleap documentation center.

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Setup#

1. Hardware#

You need a Leap Motion device, Controller or Controller 2.

2. Software#

Download recommended Ultraleap version software for Windows from the Ultraleap website ultraleap.com/downloads (depending your device).

3. Install#
  • Install the software package, which includes:
    • Ultraleap Control Panel with integrated visualizer. From the Control Panel you can visualise camera feeds, and adjust settings for the tracking service and your Ultraleap Hand Tracking Camera.
    • Ultraleap Tracking Service and Ultraleap Tray (runs in the background as services). Software that runs the camera module and sends hand tracking data to applications that need it.
  • Plug in the Leap Motion device via USB. Open the Ultraleap Control Panel to see your hands and skeletons displayed.

leapMotion_3

4. Setup Ultraleap Control Panel#
  • In the Ultraleap Control Panel, make sure that the Leap Motion Controller is working properly and accurately tracking your hand movements.
  • Ensure the Tracking>Tracking Mode is set to Head Mounted.
  • Ensure the Settings>OpenXR Support is activated (toggle is green).

leapMotion_3

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5. Connect your devices#

Connect your VR headset to your PC. Ensure your VR headset is properly connected and configured to work with XR Twin.

6. Fix it#

Fix the Leap Motion Controller in front of your headset. See image below.

leapMotion_1

7. Configure SteamVR settings#

Ensure you have Steam VR version 2.5.4 or higher installed on your PC.

  1. Click the SteamVR SteamVR_15 burger button to open the menu.
  2. Select Settings and navigate to the OpenXR panel.
  3. Top right, SteamVR must be the the Current OpenXR Runtime. See image below.
  4. Click MANAGE OPENXR API LAYERS button.
    1. If the "Ultraleap OpenXR Hand Tracking" API layer is available, turn it On. Ignore if this API Layer is not available (depending Ultraleap version).
    2. Disable Off any other OpenXR API Layers.

SteamVR_5
SteamVR_5

8. Check#

Test the tracking using the Ultraleap Control Panel before launching XR Twin. You have to see the skeletons move.

Troubleshooting Tips#

If you encounter difficulties, here are a few things to look out for.

  • Are the hands tracking correctly in the Ultraleap Control Panel? From certain angles, the fingers are not visible and are ignored by the Ultraleap tracking system.

  • In the Windows task bar, fly over Ultraleap Tray icon. Is Service Status: Tracking?

    leapMotion_5
    If not, right click and try Restart Service in the context menu. Please wait while the services restarts. - Are the two related services present in the Task Manager? leapMotion_6 - All API Layers are set to Off in SteamVR (except the Ultraleap one if available)? - If this points are checked, try to restart XR Twin.