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Top 5 Virtual Reality Applications for Architects

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The tools for virtual and augmented reality developed for architecture, design, and construction (ADC) areas are constantly being improved and optimized, while their cost is gradually decreasing.  Virtual and augmented reality becomes more accessible to architects, engineers, and contractors. With the help of these tools, one can implement any projects.

The VR and AR are gradually becoming the environment of communication, creation, and testing of projects in the fields of ADC. VR and AR tools based on developments and experience from other industries become the industry standard for ADC. One can perform a fast iteration with their help, to improve projects in close cooperation with customers and colleagues.

virtual and augmented reality

VR allows creating fully managed digital environments, while AR puts virtual elements on top of an existing real picture. Thus, the same technology is used for different purposes: Virtual Reality is more suitable for architects, whereas AR is more often used during the construction.

Although both innovations are rapidly gaining popularity, they are still at an early stage of development. Vrender had studied the solutions presented on the market in more detail and compiled a list of VR/AR tools that are optimal for those who work in the fields of design and construction.

ARki

ARki is an application for visualization of architectural models. It integrates AR technology into the existing architecture, allowing creating three-dimensional models with multiple levels of interactivity for both design and presentation.

prototyping and 3D visualization tool

ARki can be used on any iOS/Android device. The application simply imposes 3D models on existing two-dimensional floor plans. ARki also includes several additional interactive functions, for instance, the real-time analysis and material selection. Using this application, one can record user-selected models in the three-dimensional format, as well as share own content via e-mail or social networks.

Storyboard VR

Storyboard VR is a free prototyping and visualization tool developed for architects and other ADC professionals. Using this program, users can organize, scale, and animate simple two-dimensional models. Storyboard VR creators, the company named Artefact, have developed it for their own internal use to work on VR projects. They’ve created their own tool to quickly and easily create a prototype of VR.

3d design process

The application allows creating and loading drawings and environmental maps from existing drawing tools into Storyboard VR, then choosing own assets and building own storyboard. The simplicity of use allows designers exchanging ideas and receiving feedback at the initial stage of the design process. Storyboard VR also has slides making it something like the VR-version of PowerPoint.

Pair

Pair (formerly known as Visidraft) uses licensed software and augmented reality technologies to create applications that allow architects “dragging” 3D models of consumer furniture and pieces of technology into their projects using an iPhone or iPad. The online catalog of models and assets now includes more than 200 products for home and office by Fortune 500 manufacturers. The catalog is supplemented with new products every day.

virtual 3D product

After the launch of the application, the company had drawn its attention to the fact that the main growth was in furniture and equipment manufacturers segment. The main difference between Pair and other AR solutions is that the focus is made on its products and consumers, which allows users to physically navigate inside a virtual 3D product like in their home or office.

SmartReality

SmartReality is a mobile application of augmented reality, which allows the camera to overlay an interactive BIM model on printed design layouts, thereby creating a three-dimensional visualization of projects. Users can scale, change structural layers, navigate through the project stages, and record their images and video. Also one can create a free account for downloading 2D plans and get the corresponding 3D plan and models using the application.

The SmartReality application is also available in the VR version developed by the R & D JBKnowledge Labs team. This version allows users to walk through the model of a
building using virtual reality solutions such as Oculus Rift, Samsung Gear, and Project Tango by Google.

Fuzor

Fuzor is an application for real-time rendering, which integrates with Revit. The program is based on the technology originally developed by Kalloc Studios for creating games. Thanks to bidirectional direct communication with Revit, users can navigate, visualize, comment, and verify BIM information, as well as synchronize changes between the two named tools.

video rendering

The direct communication allows Fuzor to instantly update and reflect the changes made in the Revit file. It supports various measurements, lighting analysis, color and visibility filters, cross-section, slice cutting, and video rendering with BIM support.
In order to have a possibility of joint work with construction sites, BIM Solution supports the visualization of BIM drawings for mobile devices using Google Drive and Dropbox. At the moment, Fuzor supports files of Revit, Archicad, Rhinoceros 3D, Navisworks, SketchUp, FBX, and 3DS.

Vrender Company 2018

 

 

 

New 3D technological solutions for sales departments

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Interactive visualization

Augmented Reality

A person receives up to 90% of the information through vision. A qualitatively visualized data case will help form in your buyer an emotionally positive and more complete opinion on the property. One of the tools by which this can be achieved is interactive visualization. Using the technology of interactive visualization allows one to become familiar with the project by choosing the locations and angles for viewing on their own.

Interactive visualization is an application developed based on the game engine. Running it, one can get information on several scenarios: go for the first-person walk on the object or use an interactive visualization, when the object is demonstrated from distance or from a bird’s eye view. For instance, an application allows inspecting the development area and its adjacent territories, to familiarize oneself with all the facilities of the complex, to look into all interesting apartments and even admire oneself with the views from their windows. This type of visualization can be seen on both large monitors and multi-touch tables in sales departments, as well as in online applications.

A 3D tour

interesting apartments

Another way to comprehensively familiarize oneself with the object is the 3D tour.This is a visually simulated trip on a property and its surroundings. It is technically implemented by compiling spherical panoramic images, forming a three-dimensional picture of reality.

3D model for the tour can be developed based on real photographs of the residential complex and its environment, ready-made apartments, showroom data or using digital graphics for the visualization. The qualitatively developed digital product can simulate reality quite realistically. The technology is actively used by domestic developers, as many sites of building complexes offer potential customers to use widgets with an option of a 3D tour. Though, not always one will have enough angles for viewing in this case but such a walk can compile the overall impression from the walk.

A virtual reality

qualitatively visualized

A virtual reality also allows to remotely demonstrating the offer to a potential customer in details. The buyer can thoroughly examine the property without visiting the construction site personally. In addition, if we are talking about objects under construction, there might be nothing to watch yet, as the house can be on the stage of a ditch.

The full effect of presence is provided by using a special VR headset – glasses and helmets of virtual reality. The market has a lot of developments of such products, from relatively inexpensive made by Google Cardboard, to more technological and expensive solutions such as Locus Rift or HTC Vive. A digital model of apartments is created based on a special platform. One can see everything from inside in a virtual reality. Technology allows to clearly evaluate, for instance, the size of the apartment, its layout, interiors, views from the windows. If you want, you can change the design, arrangement of furniture, to rearrange the room in another way, etc. VR is a promising direction, but not massively used yet.

Augmented Reality

visualization

Augmented reality  puts digital information over an existing picture. For example, in an unfinished apartment, pointing a smartphone with the installed program on the walls, you can see what the room will look like after repairing and become acquainted with possible interior solutions. Any information can be displayed on the wall of a building, like one helping sell an apartment or any other useful one – and the buyer can become acquainted with it looking on a screen of own mobile device. The seller gets the opportunity to track the interest of customers to the object giving augmented reality, to find out when the buyer studies information about it and to react fast on client demands.

Vrender Company 2018