Mastering the Perfect Grip: Tweaking VR Object Handling in Unity

2 min readJan 11, 2024

Introduction

Greetings, VR enchanters and Unity illusionists! Ever held a virtual object and thought, “This feels a bit off?” Fear not, for today we unveil the secret to perfecting the grip on any object in your magical VR realm. The key lies in the clever use of an empty GameObject and the mystical XR Grab Interactable component.

The Art of the Perfect Grip

In the world of VR, how you hold an object can make or break the illusion. Sometimes, the default grip point doesn’t quite match up with where your virtual hands are, leading to a less immersive experience. Let’s correct that with a simple yet powerful trick.

Conjuring the Empty GameObject

Step 1: Summoning the Placeholder

Select Your Object: Choose the object you wish to adjust the grip on in your VR world.
Create an Empty GameObject: In the hierarchy, right-click and create an empty GameObject. This will act as your new grip point.

Step 2: Positioning the Placeholder

Attach to Object: Make the empty GameObject a child of your chosen object. This binds their fates together.
Aligning the Grip: Now, adjust the position of the empty GameObject. Move it around until it’s in the spot where the VR hand should grip the object. This could be the handle of a sword, the stem of a goblet, or the grip of a magic wand.

Enchanting with XR Grab Interactable

Step 3: The Magic Component

Add XR Grab Interactable: Ensure your object has the XR Grab Interactable component. This spell allows it to be picked up and manipulated in VR.
Setting the Attach Transform: In the XR Grab Interactable component, find the ‘Attach Transform’ field. Here, assign your newly positioned empty GameObject.

Step 4: Finalizing the Enchantment

Test Your Creation: Enter Play mode and test your object. Reach out and grab it. The object should now align perfectly with your VR hand, making the grip look and feel just right.

Conclusion

With this simple yet effective technique, you’ve mastered the art of the perfect grip in your Unity VR project. No longer will your virtual objects feel awkward to hold. Go forth and apply this trick to your arsenal of VR objects, and watch as your virtual world becomes more tangible and immersive than ever!