Google VR art creation app Tilt Brush it’s not free, but the company made it open source a few days ago, after announcing that active development was halted, so it was only a matter of time before independent developers published their own Tilt Brushderived applications. Now you can play with the first batch on PC VR and Oculus Quest.
Open brush – PC VR
Developer Icosa Gallery published its own fork of the Tilt Brush software, dubbed Open Brush. Although some resources are lacking for now, mainly the ability to use rubber, Open Brush is already enabling some of the hidden brushes that Google never released before archiving the project.
You can download the trial version of Open Brush on Itch.io for free, and start painting with SteamVR-compatible headphones right now.
Icosa Gallery says that there is also a Quest version in progress, but it is not ready yet.
SideSketch – Quest
If you have an Oculus Quest or Quest 2, you can also test the latest third-party clone from developer Shane Harris, called SideSketch.
For now, it appears to be a direct clone without any additional features, albeit free. To like Open Brush on the PC, SideSketch the eraser function is missing.
To get SideSketch, you will need to set up SideQuest on the Quest headset, the unofficial app store for all Quest stuff. Check out our simple guide on how (and why) to use SideQuest to get started SideSketch and a plethora of free and paid apps.
Tilt Brush for WebXR
The most amazing thing about WebXR is that you only need a URL, a compatible browser and a PC VR or a Quest headset to start playing and connecting in virtual spaces.
WebXR apps are noticeably smaller than apps that require direct download and installation, and look like a WebXR Tilt Brush derived from developer Douglas Adams of msub2, called Brush Stroke, it is still fermenting as a result.
First design with the WebXR door of the Tilt Brush, hereafter known as Silk Brush! #TiltBrush #SilkBrush #WebXR pic.twitter.com/Px3ZZIrj9z
– m₂ (@ msub2official) January 29, 2021
At the moment, Adams says he is still only capable of basic designs, as he is still working on integrating the full set of wand functions – not a simple task, as it needs to be light enough to run in the browser.
Seeing Tilt Brush as a potential WebXR application is really exciting. Users will not only be able to get in and create things quickly, but the hypothetical addition of multiplayer can make it a great place to quickly connect with others for everything from product creation to collaborative art. Adams hasn’t mentioned that part yet, although it was buried in the code as a Google ‘task’ before stopping active development.
If you’re looking to paint via WebXR now, take a look at Mozilla A-Painter as a great alternative.
Do you know of an application that uses the Tilt Brush code? Let us know in the comments below!