# Joining using a Link invitation (Guest/Ad-Hoc) This method allows a user to join a VR collaboration session using a direct link distributed through any communication medium (email, chat, SMS, etc.), irrespective of whether they are a pre-existing SimLab contact or have a registered SimLab account. **Prerequisite:** - SimLab VR Viewer is installed on your Windows system --- ### Accessing the Session Link #### **Method A**: Joining via the Web Invitation Link #### Accessing the Session Link **Action:** 1. Click the Invitation Link provided by the host/administrator. 2. A dedicated web page will open in your browser, displaying: - **Session Information:** Session Name, Host's Name, Date, Time, and a countdown timer until the session starts. - The page will feature two main buttons: **Join Session** and **Add to Calendar**. [![Join_hasStarted.jpg](https://simlab-soft.com/help/uploads/images/gallery/2025-10/join-hasstarted.jpg)](https://simlab-soft.com/help/uploads/images/gallery/2025-10/joinsession-link2-notstarted.jpg) #### Joining the Session (Account vs. Guest) Clicking the **Join Session** button will open a dialogue prompting you to either **Login** or **Continue as a Guest**.
**Option****Action Required****Result**
**Login**Enter your registered SimLab account email and password.The SimLab VR Viewer will launch. Once the host starts the session, you will receive an in-app notification to **Join** the session.
**Continue as a Guest**Provide an active **Email Address** and a **Name** (for identification within the session).The SimLab VR Viewer will launch. You will receive an in-app notification when the session starts. Additionally, the provided email address will be used to create a new SimLab account, and you will receive a separate email containing an **autogenerated password**. *It is highly recommended to change this password after your initial login.*
#### Adding the Session to Your Calendar If you wish to save the session details for future access or standalone devices action, use the **Add to Calendar** option. **Action (Add to Calendar):** 1. Click the **Add to Calendar** button on the invitation link's web page. 2. **Authentication:** You will be prompted to log in to your SimLab account if you are not already signed in. 3. **Web Portal Redirect:** Upon successful login, you will be redirected to the SimLab Web Portal. 4. The session will be recorded as an event in the **Invitations** tab on the VR Collaboration Scheduling Page. You can use the **Join Session** button on this tab to join the collaboration when it is active [![Add-toCalendar.jpg](https://simlab-soft.com/help/uploads/images/gallery/2025-10/scaled-1680-/add-tocalendar.jpg)](https://simlab-soft.com/help/uploads/images/gallery/2025-10/add-tocalendar.jpg) ### **Method B**: Joining via the URL Launcher This method allows you to join a session directly within the SimLab VR Viewer application, bypassing the web browser flow, and it will prompt you for login/guest details only if you are not already signed in. **Action:** 1. Launch the **SimLab VR Viewer** application. 2. Locate the **URL Launcher** button (typically found in the top-right corner of the interface) and click it. 3. A dialogue window will pop up. **Paste the Invitation Link** (the full URL provided by the host) into the designated field. 4. Click **Confirm**. [![URL_Launcher2.png](https://simlab-soft.com/help/uploads/images/gallery/2025-10/scaled-1680-/url-launcher2.png)](https://simlab-soft.com/help/uploads/images/gallery/2025-10/url-launcher2.png) **Result:** - **If you are Signed In:** You will immediately connect to the session as your registered account. - **If you are Not Signed In:** A prompt will appear asking you to either **Login** or **Continue as a Guest** (which functions identically to the web method). In either case, you will enter the **Lobby** screen to load the VR experience before the session officially begins.