Get Started With Nyx Trackers

Hi, my name is Mao Mao and I'm a dancer for the COOL CATS and an official helper for Nyx Trackers as well! For my performances I use Nyx Trackers all day everyday! I've been using them for about 6 months now, I don't just use them for dancing, I use them just chilling in worlds and maybe playing other FBT games (other than VRChat). From my personal experience, I didn't want to spend 1000+ dollars on VR equipment for eight point FBT along with having a very limited playspace. It wouldn't work out so well, so I decided why not try SlimeVR trackers! Let me just list some of the pros and cons for you all so you can get a good feel of the trackers.


  • Can work for both PCVR and Quest standalone.

  • Trackers are made with longevity in mind.       

  • Can customize your trackers to your own personal liking.                         

  • Doesn't need base stations.                       

  • Battery life lasts up to 11-12 hours.                         

  • No occlusion at all. (Meaning you can even be under a blanket and not lose tracking whatsoever!)

  • Portable (They can be taken anywhere as long as you have a PC/laptop with you so they have something to connect to.)

  • Dedicated team and open source community.

  • Very good software with loads of adjustments. (Firmware updates only every 3-4 months. The SlimeVR server gets updated regularly.)

PROS

  • First-time setup will be a little time-consuming. (Need to have some patience.)

  • Need to make your own straps. (For now.)

  • Only works with 2.4 GHz wifi.

  • Accuracy isn't SPOT on like with Vive trackers. (Unless calibrated over time.)

  • Drift will happen over time. (Can be fixed with a quick reset.)

CONS

What are Nyx Trackers?

Nyx Trackers are a DIY tracking solution that uses SlimeVR. They are made by a person that goes by NyxAssassin who makes them by hand and sends them out all over the world. So far he has made close to 2,000+ individual trackers and 340 custom sets. Nyx constantly strives to improve on his trackers every day. Come check out the Discord server linked below to learn more information, ask questions, meet the community, or to request any help if needed. See you there! Nyx Trackers Discord


What is SlimeVR?

SlimeVR is an open-source, fully DIY solution for full-body tracking. It offers full-body tracking without base stations while utilizing gyroscopes, Wi-Fi, and a simulated bone structure to generate a virtual map of your body. For more in-depth information on SlimeVR check out the official SlimeVR document link below! SlimeVR Document

This FBT solution is more intended for people who have Quest headset and no base stations, also people who have a lot of occlusion/small playspace.


Also, keep note SlimeVR is very dependent on your wifi connection so please keep in mind when using these types of trackers, set your wifi connection to 2.4Ghz or else the trackers will not connect to the server at all. If you need help to see if you have 2.4 GHz or to see if you can connect to it, feel free to message for help in the “Tracker Help” section of Nyx’s Trackers Discord server.


Setup For Trackers

USB-C Charging Cables (Or any USB-C cables you prefer):
USB-C Charging Cables

Amazon Straps:
Amazon Straps

Elastic:
Elastic

Velcro:
Velcro

R00T’S Tracker Strap Video:
R00T'S Tracker Strap Video

You will need to get straps for your trackers in the meantime but, please keep in mind in the next couple of months, Nyx will be implementing them with his trackers when you buy your set.  You can either get straps in one of two ways, which is either buying straps like these off of Amazon, or making your own set of straps with velcro and elastic. All links will be listed below.  Another possible way is using materials around your house, an example of this would be how R00T made her tracker straps with an old t-shirt (as shown in the link below.) If you do use items around your house, make sure the straps can STAY secured on your body. This is very important when having your trackers on your body so they don’t fall off, and so you don’t have to remount/reset nonstop. Another item you might want to get for your trackers is USB-C cables for charging your trackers faster all at once. (Keep in mind Nyx includes one USB-C cable when sending your trackers so you can start your setup right away.) If needed, you can also find more help/tips about tracker straps in the “DIY Tracker Straps” section of Nyx’s Trackers Discord server.

1.) Download SlimeVR from the official SlimeVR Docs

Server
SlimeVR Server

2.) Install the slimevr.exe file and double-click on the file when done.

3.)Once SlimeVR is fully installed, open up the program and you should be prompted with the welcome window to start getting your new trackers set up. 

4.) On the next window connect your wifi (Make sure your Wifi connection you enter is 2.4GHz or else your trackers will not connect!).

5.) Next take your USB-C cable and plug it into the data port marked on your tracker. Then, take the other end of the cable and plug it into your computer via USB port. Once your tracker is plugged in, turn it on and it should connect to the SlimeVR server.  

6.) Repeat step 5 as needed until all your trackers are connected and shown in the server then click the "I connected all my trackers" button.

If you get stuck at this step and your trackers are not connecting then I would recommend you to reflash your tracker. All instructions on how to do so are in Nyx Trackers Discord server under “Setup Guides”. 

For the next slide, just skip over it, this is for the OFFICIAL SlimeVR tracker straps. Not for Nyx trackers.

7.) All your trackers should now be fully connected. Now for this next step, we are going to assign each tracker to their correct body part. In order to do so please click "show advance assign locations”. After that, we will now make sure all your trackers are turned on. Now click on a body part ("left thigh" for example). All your trackers should show up, shake the main tracker, until it lights up. Then,select that tracker. Your tracker should now be assigned to its correct body part as the left thigh. Continue to do this with all of your trackers. The main trackers that have an aux tracker attached to them (the smaller black box) will be for your feet/ankles and chest/waist.

8.) Once all trackers are assigned to their correct body parts click the "I'm ready" button and all your trackers are ready for VR!

Setup and Mounting/Calibration For SlimeVR

1.) Strap all your trackers on to your body.  The picture below shows a good layout of where each tracker should be placed on the body. Please take in consideration if you also get 10 point tracking Nyx will label your trackers for your elbows to help you understand which one is for the right elbow and which one is for the left elbow. 

SIDE NOTE: When putting on your trackers each time make sure all the small arrows printed on the top case of your trackers are facing up towards the ceiling. This is for better stability as well as tracking! 

2.) On SlimeVR, the next slide that comes up is asking what mounting calibration method you want to use. (I recommend using automatic mounting) Once clicking that option, you are prompted with the instructions to follow two simple poses. That is all! 

3.) After automatic mounting, it will bring you to the reset tutorial. We can skip this step since we just did automatic mounting. 

4.) From here, we also have the option to do portion calibration. This is where if you want, you can adjust portions more precisely. (You can also skip this step if you are fine with just seeing how mounting calibration is and you can always go back to it later). If you wish to do this step, I would recommend following the instructions on automatic portions, just like how we did on the previous step, then afterwards you can also go back and do manual portions after your automatic ones. You can adjust your measurements on your body parts as needed.

For more information on measuring your body parts correctly, check out the Official SlimeVR Document for measuring tips.
SlimeVR Body Portions Measuring

PLEASE MAKE SURE TO DO A FULL RESET/MOUNTING OF EVERYTHING BEFORE GETTING INTO VRC THIS IS VERY IMPORTANT! ALSO, MAKE SURE TO STAY AS STILL AS YOU CAN THIS IS VERY IMPORTANT TO MAKE SURE YOUR TRACKING IS ACCURATE AND DOESN’T GET MESSED UP IN THE PROCESS!

5.) After all of that, you are now ready to hop into VRChat!

Tracking For VRC Setup


1.) Once you do all your mounting calibration or body portions, you then can go into VRChat!

 When in VRChat, open your main menu and click on the cog icon at the bottom to access more settings. Then, scroll down until you see where you adjust your IRL height and make sure it's set to your actual height. (Sometimes depending on the avatar you may need to adjust it a little outside of your actual height to get the avi to work with you, and that's okay as well! Since some avatar portions can be off!) 

2.) Next, go back to your main menu and you will see a new button appear called "Calibrate FBT" 

3.) Click that button and you should be able to see small white orbs points for your tracking (It might be a different shape depending on your settings). From there, line up your points of tracking with your avatar.(It should look something like the picture down below.) You will then click on the triggers of your controllers to set your full body tracking in place.

4.) Now Ta Da you're done! Enjoy and have fun! <3


For more help or information message in Nyx Tracker’s Discord server or Nyx trackers onboarding channel on R00TS CLUB Discord server!