Microsoft Mesh is changing the way we collaborate and experience FSU.
Microsoft Mesh is a mixed-reality platform that enables people in different physical locations to join collaborative and shared experiences on various devices. FSU students, faculty and staff have the ability to create customized, immersive 3D spaces for meetings, events and more. Using Microsoft Mesh, we can rethink how we discuss important topics, collaborate with others and experience FSU.
How does Mesh work?
Microsoft Mesh uses avatars and virtual spaces to create a sense of presence and togetherness to enhance the collaboration experience. Mesh provides immersive experiences on both PCs and Meta Quest VR devices, enabling conversation and interaction in a virtual environment.
Why should I use Mesh?
This pilot program for Mesh is designed to enhance how teaching, learning and innovating are conducted at FSU. The virtual gathering space enhances engagement and provides social opportunities from locations across the globe. Through this pilot, we will explore creating new learning and work environments and experiences for the FSU community.
Getting Started
FSU Custom Experiences
FSU Conference Room
Through a collaborative partnership between the ITS Intern Cohort, CCI's Innovation Hub and FSU Libraries, we are pleased to bring you FSU's first custom experience in Mesh.
A multi-room Hub with interactive elements to demonstrate Mesh capabilities featuring unique 2D and 3D assets from FSU Libraries DigiNole repository.
Central Hub
Connect and explore in the Central Hub, where spatial audio enhances your experience around the interactive radio and cozy campfire—perfect for roasting marshmallows. Also engage in team icebreakers in this lively virtual gathering space.
Conference Room
Collaborate around a custom-designed conference table in a branded FSU space. Featuring immersive screen sharing and window views that elevate every virtual meeting.
Lounge
Discover digital heritage in the Lounge, a space built with FSU Libraries to showcase 2D and 3D DigiNole assets. Also, interact with fun Mesh games like Beanbag Toss, the Magic Wand, and more.
FSU Libraries
Step into history with fully scanned 3D artifacts from the Cosa Archaeological Dig, brought to life in partnership with FSU Libraries. Observe ancient artifacts in stunning detail inside Mesh.
Join the Pilot
Looking to be one of the first people to experience Mesh? Join the FSU Microsoft Teams channel to become a part of the pilot group and be one of the first people to test these new, custom environments.
FAQs
Create your Avatar
Microsoft Mesh will walk first-time users through creating their avatars. Use Teams if you want to create one beforehand.
- Install the Avatars app
- On the left side of Teams, select the Apps
button. - Search and select Avatars.
- Select Add.
- On the left side of Teams, select the Apps
- If you don't find Avatars in Apps, select More added apps
on the left side of Teams and search there instead.
See Microsoft’s documentation or YouTube video for more information on how to customize your avatar.
Tip: To pin Avatars for easy access, right-click the app and select Pin.
What are the basic controls for a Microsoft Mesh live event?
Mesh will also walk you through a short tutorial of basic controls during your first visit in an environment. For detailed information about controls in Mesh, take a look at Microsoft's User Guide.
Create a Mesh Event
You can create events directly from the Mesh website. Below is the basic flow:
- Visit Mesh on the Web.
- Sign in with your Microsoft account linked to your organization’s Microsoft 365 subscription.
- Click on Create event.
- Choose your preferred environment (default or customized).
- Single room up to 16 participants
- Multi-room up to 330 participants
- Provide details about your event, including:
- Event name
- Description
- Date
- Time
- Attendees
- Invite by adding attendees’ email addresses or selecting groups.
- Select Create to finalize and invite automatically via Teams or Outlook.
See Microsoft’s documentation for more information on creating a Mesh Event.
Customize Your Event
If you schedule an event in advance, and access it through Mesh at least 10 minutes before the start time, you can enhance your Mesh experience by adding interactive content using no-code options.
- Select Customize event to add media like videos, web links, or presentations.
- Use the control panel provided to organize interactive elements.
See Microsoft’s documentation for more information on customizing your Mesh event.
- The Microsoft Mesh toolkit is a GitHub repository of prefabs, coding frameworks, and sample scenes to expedite Mesh development and publication.
- Use the Content Performance Analyzer (CPA) to catch content optimization issues automatically before uploading Mesh content.
- Using the Mesh App:
- Open the Mesh app on your PC or your Meta Quest headset.
- On the homepage, you’ll see a list of upcoming events.
- Select Join next to the event you wish to attend.
- Using Microsoft Teams or Outlook:
- Find your event invitation directly within your Teams or Outlook calendar.
- Select the event.
- Select Join Microsoft Mesh Event from the event details.
Once joined, you can explore and interact using your VR controllers or keyboard controls (W, A, S, D).
Microsoft Mesh supports various devices to accommodate user preferences, primarily focusing on Windows PCs and Meta Quest VR headsets.
Windows 10
Access via:
- Microsoft Teams
- Mesh app from the Microsoft Store
Meta Quest
- Fully immersive virtual reality experience
Mac
- Can access basic environments through Teams
Yes. Mesh supports real-time interaction through spatial audio, which means you can speak naturally to others in the environment and hear them based on their virtual location around you — creating a more immersive and lifelike experience. Voice chat works seamlessly whether you're using desktop or VR.
In addition, gestures and avatar animations help enhance communication. When using a Meta Quest headset, your head and hand movements are tracked, making it easy to wave, point, or engage naturally. On desktop, animations and reactions are available through menu controls.
For more on Mesh controls and how to interact during events, visit Microsoft’s official guide: Mesh User Controls
Mesh allows content sharing in several ways, depending on the environment:
- Screen Sharing: During a Mesh meeting, you can share your screen just like you would in a standard Teams call. This feature is ideal for presentations or walkthroughs.
- Web Slates: In custom Mesh experiences, you can add interactive "web slates" — virtual panels that display websites, videos, or collaborative tools inside the 3D space. These are added during the event customization phase and are viewable by all attendees.
- Media Uploads: Event creators can upload files or assets like images, PDFs, and videos to be shown within the experience during event setup.
To learn how to add and manage content, see: Customize Mesh Events
Yes, Microsoft Mesh includes a variety of built-in accessibility features to ensure participation for all users:
- High Contrast Modes: Users can choose from High Contrast, Aqua, or Desert themes via Settings > Accessibility to enhance text readability and distinguish interface elements. These themes help users with low vision or colorblindness to navigate and interact with content more effectively.
- Mesh Magnifier Lens Tool: This feature allows users with low vision to zoom into specific parts of the virtual space, improving their ability to read text and observe object details. Magnification settings can be customized (e.g., 200% zoom), and lens size can be adjusted for greater control.
- Keyboard and Mouse Navigation: Users on desktop devices can navigate using traditional input methods like WASD keys and mouse click controls — no VR headset required.
- Teams-Based Features: Because Mesh integrates with Microsoft Teams, users can also benefit from Teams' native accessibility features such as live captions, screen readers, and adaptive settings built into Windows.
These tools make it easier for everyone — including users with visual impairments — to participate in immersive environments with confidence.
Learn more from the official Microsoft documentation here: Mesh Accessibility Features
Feedback Survey
Complete the survey below to share your thoughts or concerns regarding Microsoft Mesh.
Support
FSU is here to help. If you have questions or need assistance, please contact Derek Kooi, emerging technology developer, at dkooi@fsu.edu.
