Use a VR headset with Final Cut Pro and Motion

To use a VR headset with Final Cut Pro 10.4 and Motion 5.4 or later, connect the headset, then install SteamVR on your Intel-based Mac.

You can use a VR headset to view your 360º video while working in Final Cut Pro and Motion. To use a VR headset, your Mac must meet the system requirements for 360º video editing and you need to install Steam software. For more information, visit the SteamVR support page, and refer to the documentation that came with your headset.

Download Steam

First, download and install Steam.

  1. Make sure your computer is connected to the internet.
  2. Visit store.steampowered.com/about, and click Install Steam.
  3. In the Finder, choose Go > Downloads. If you changed the default location for downloads from your browser, go to that location.
  4. Double-click the steam.dmg file.
  5. Drag Steam to the Application folder.
  6. In Finder, choose Go > Applications, then double-click Steam to open the application.

Configure SteamVR software

After installing Steam, install SteamVR.

  1. Before you configure the SteamVR software, set up your VR headset using the instructions included with the headset. 
  2. In Steam, follow the prompts to create a new account or log into an existing one, then choose Library.
  3. Click the Games pop-up menu on the left, then select the Tools checkbox.
  4. Enter SteamVR into the Search field.
  5. Right-Click SteamVR, or click the gear icon, then choose Properties from the menu.
  6. In the Properties window, click Betas, choose “macos_default - Public default branch (macOS),” then close the properties window.
  7. Click Install.
  8. To create a Desktop shortcut to launch SteamVR, select “Create Desktop shortcut,” then click Next. This way you can open SteamVR directly, without having to open it from the Steam app.
  9. When SteamVR is finished installing, click Finish.
  10. In the Library list, double-click SteamVR to open the app. 
  11. You can now quit the Steam app, and let SteamVR continue to run in the background. If you've connected your headset properly, the LED on the headset will be green. If SteamVR displays an error, or if the LED on the headset is red, visit the SteamVR support page for more information.
  12. In the Room Setup window, select “Set up for Standing Only.”
  13. To monitor your 360º video in Final Cut Pro or Motion, choose Window > Output to VR Headset. 

Manage Steam and SteamVR

To quit SteamVR, you have to quit both Steam and SteamVR.

Steam automatically opens when you log in to your Mac. To keep Steam from automatically opening when you log in to your Mac.

  1. Choose Apple menu > System Preferences, then click Users & Groups.
  2. Select your user account, then click Login Items at the top of the window.
  3. Select the name of the item you want to prevent from opening automatically, then click the Remove button (-) below the list.

To manually open SteamVR, double-click the Desktop shortcut for SteamVR.

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