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ZeeOnline
New Participant
September 5, 2016

Virtual Reality adaptation for 3D Models in construction industry

Hello!

My company is involved in constructing small industrial buildings. Basically, we have 3D modeling software, where we create a complete digital twin of the real life building we will construct. The 3D is quite detailed.

The 3D modeling software we use are called Plant Design Management System (PDMS) and Smart Plant 3D (SP3D). We also use 3D walkthrough software (means they are used only for viewing 3D content) such as Navis Works Manage.

We would like to now give customers the experience of viewing our digital models of these buildings in VR before we actually construct them in real life. Hence we have the following questions

1.What is the type of Video / Audio file format required to generate VR content for Oculus Rift

2.Can you give us any list of supported video file formats?

3.Is there a possibility of using existing 3D footage generated from Navis Works Manage Software (.nwd format files)

4.What are the system requirements?

5.Are there also any converters required to convert Normal video formats to VR (e.g., from  avi, WMV, MKV, MP4)

    10 replies

    Anonymous
    September 5, 2016
    Here is the link to the supported file formats for Oculus Videos: https://support.oculus.com/help/oculus/913156505462211/?helpref=hc_fnav

    Although if your working with 3D models I'd recommend trying out Unity or Unreal Engine 4. You can import your models into here and then have an interactive 'walk-through' in real time instead of it being a video that the viewer can't control.

    Unity and UE4 both support VR so it's as easy as just exporting it for VR.
    g33rt
    Up and Coming
    September 12, 2016
    Hi,

    From Navisworks you can export your model to fbx format. Fbx can be imported in Unity.

    One problem you may encounter, however, is that your 3D model is way to large or detailed to be able to render at a high enough framerate for VR. This depends on your data of course.

    I've been working on that problem since a few months. I've been developing an engine (3d streaming) to visualize huge engineering (CAD/BIM) models for industial construction. PM me if you need more info.

    Geert
    etick
    New Participant
    September 12, 2016
    Export to fbx, edit it in 3ds max. Even the unreal engine can be to slow when dealing with to much details.

    nosys70
    Up and Coming
    September 13, 2016

    thera are many companies offering products or services in that field.

    https://www.google.com/?gws_rd=ssl#q=virtual+reality+in+architectural+walkthrough

    holoharry
    New Participant
    October 17, 2016
    May I recommend you our completely web-based platform HoloBuilder.com? 

    Even though it might not be able to do everything that you are looking for, it might be very interesting for you. Creating a virtual visit to a job site before it is build (as you mention) is as easy as creating a traditional PowerPoint presentation:
    Drag and drop 360° images into your project, connect them to a tour and enhance them with custom 3D models, texts as well as sounds. Then, those projects can directly be embedded into any website as an iFrame. Additionally, HoloBuilder natively supports HMD mode (e.g. for Google CardBoard) and a native Player App for iOS/Android as well as a GearVR version are currently in a beta stage (access on request).

    As far as I know you can export Navisworks files to 360° images (somehow like described here: http://budweiser.cadstudio.cz/2013/01/amaze-your-client-with-360-panorama.html).
    If you manage it to get a 360° equirectangular image from your project you can easily import it into HoloBuilder and it will look like following (real life image in different file formats that someone got from Navisworks):

    Besides, we have just released our mobile Apps (iOS and Android) for mobile Tour creation with floor plans. You can read everything about it on our support blog:

    As a start-up we are very thankful for any kind of feedback and in the case of any questions, of course, please do not hesitate to drop us an e-mail at support@holobuilder.com :-)
    EddieWakingApp
    New Participant
    October 18, 2016
    Hi there!

    With WakingApp's ENTiTi, you can import your panoramic images and videos and as well 3D/CAD models (STL,OBJ,FBX and DAE) and create a VR experience really quickly achieving great results.
    Check it out at www.wakingapp.com and if you have any questions about this, please let me know :)

    Kind Regards!

    Eddie
    innsomniac
    New Participant
    December 13, 2017
    Hi there,

    I know it's a bit of an old thread, but you can check our latest article on exporting from PDMS, E3D, SP3D or other CAD sources to Virtual Reality here: http://machinesquad.com/tech-articles/11-the-art-of-exporting-cad-models-for-animation-rendering-augmented-and-virtual-reality.

    Check our demo below to view the results of the import workflow.
    https://youtu.be/C_DkiuvMkJ0
    PM me if you have any questions!
    Have fun!
    Regards,
    Olivier


    MAleardi
    New Participant
    August 14, 2018
    Hi!

    Marirose here from IrisVR. If you’re currently working with Navisworks and looking for a way to view your files in VR, we just launched a new Navisworks plugin that automatically takes your 3D model into VR. We support HTC Vive and Oculus Rift. You can try it for free with our 45-day trial. You can also check out our help center for more information on specs and other requirements. Hope this helps!
    MAleardi
    New Participant
    August 15, 2018
    Hi!

    Marirose here from IrisVR. If you’re currently working with Navisworks and looking for a way to view your files in VR, we just launched a new Navisworks plugin that automatically takes your 3D model into VR. We support HTC Vive and Oculus Rift. You can try it for free with our 45-day trial. You can also check out our help center for more information on specs and other requirements. Hope this helps!
    MAleardi
    New Participant
    August 15, 2018
    Hi!

    Marirose here from IrisVR. If you’re currently working with Navisworks and looking for a way to view your files in VR, we just launched a new Navisworks plugin that automatically takes your 3D model into VR. We support HTC Vive and Oculus Rift. You can try it for free with our 45-day trial. You can also check out our help center for more information on specs and other requirements. Hope this helps!
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