VRDisplay.getLayers()

This is an experimental technology
Because this technology's specification has not stabilized, check the compatibility table for usage in various browsers. Also note that the syntax and behavior of an experimental technology is subject to change in future versions of browsers as the specification changes.

The getLayers() method of the VRDisplay interface returns the layers currently being presented by the VRDisplay.

Syntax

var myLayers = vrDisplayInstance.getLayers();

Parameters

None.

Return value

If the VRDevice is presenting, this method returns an array of the VRLayerInit objects currently being presented (this will currently be one, as VRDisplayCapabilities.maxLayers is currently always 1). If the VRDevice is not presenting, this method returns an empty array.

Examples

// currently returns an empty array
var layers = vrDisplay.getLayers();
if(navigator.getVRDisplays) {
  console.log('WebVR 1.1 supported');
  // Then get the displays attached to the computer
  navigator.getVRDisplays().then(function(displays) {
    // If a display is available, use it to present the scene
    if(displays.length > 0) {
      vrDisplay = displays[0];
      console.log('Display found');
      // Starting the presentation when the button is clicked: It can only be called in response to a user gesture
      btn.addEventListener('click', function() {
        vrDisplay.requestPresent([{ source: canvas }]).then(function() {
          console.log('Presenting to WebVR display');
          // Here it returns an array of VRLayerInit objects
          var layers = vrDisplay.getLayers();
          ...
        });
      });
    }
  });
}

VRLayerInit objects look something like this:

{
  leftBounds : [ ... ],
  rightBounds: [ ... ],
  source: canvasReference
}

Note: The canvasReference refers to the <canvas> element itself, not the WebGL context associated with the canvas. The other two members are arrays

Specifications

Specification Status Comment
WebVR 1.1
The definition of 'getLayers()' in that specification.		 Editor's Draft Initial definition

Browser compatibility

Feature Chrome Edge Firefox (Gecko) Internet Explorer Opera Safari (WebKit)
Basic support No support[1] (Yes) 55 (55)[2] No support No support No support
Feature Android Edge Firefox Mobile (Gecko) IE Phone Opera Mobile Safari Mobile Chrome for Android Samsung Internet for GearVR
Basic support No support No support 55.0 (55) No support No support No support (Yes)[3] (Yes)
 

[1] API Available on all platforms behind a flag, but currently only works on desktop in an experimental version of Chrome (other builds won't return any devices when Navigator.getVRDisplays() is invoked).

[2] Currently only Windows support is enabled by default. Mac support is available in Firefox Nightly.

[3] Currently supported only by Google Daydream.

See also

Document Tags and Contributors

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 Contributors to this page: chrisdavidmills, abbycar
 Last updated by: chrisdavidmills,