While we rely on technology and the hardware that powers our devices, we would be nothing without the software to make it approachable and easy to use. Smartphones would be a nightmare to use if the software wasn’t up to speed and catered to our every whim.
Professional software is a bit more complicated than applications meant to be used by an average consumer. For example, software that architects use tend to have a large learning curve and are hard to master.
VR in architecture is often harder than 2D and 3D design and it requires state of the art software to be implemented.
Here are the best VR programs for architects.
ARki
Designing things in 2D is hard enough, but when one has to expand into virtual reality, things can become impossible to deal with. ARki makes that transition simple, with interactive tools that help you visualize what your world would look like in VR. You can test your models on Android or iOS very quickly, to see what your potential clients would see. The application also allows for recordings of your work, so that you can immediately share it on social media, which is great as a way of promoting your own content and brand.
SmartReality
The tool does what its name suggests. This program does one of the things a VR architect needs, convert 2D plan models into 3D ones, according to your building information modeling. SmartReality does this automatically, while also allowing you to test the VR program later, using mobile devices, tablets, and of course, VR headsets. While primarily used to convert 2D into 3D, it also has VR features which are added for the sake of convenience.
Unreal Engine
Not everybody can do things the way Unreal Engine does them. Unreal started as a way to develop video games, a video game engine. It evolved over the years, to become one of the most powerful 3D design tools on the planet.
It is free for those who want to use it for anything other than commercial purposes, and one would be charged only upon creating a successful product. It is a very powerful tool for 3D and VR design, while also being a gateway to different career paths. From 3D game design to VR design, the unreal engine can help produce very realistic 3D models.
Unity
Another video game engine, however, this one is much more helpful to the aspiring VR architects. Unity can help transfer BIM to 3D much easier, helping build realistic and scalable models, which can be visualized in a way which would mimic them in real life.
Unity takes some programming skills, but that can be obtained along the way. Unity has to be paid for, but it is worth it, particularly for an architect who will be making money from their projects.
Stingray
Stingray is a great piece of software that works together with Revit, a BIM software. Just entering the information into Stingray will help you render the models that you want to use to create VR projects. Changes in Revit can be reflected in Stingray with just a couple of clicks. It is also Autodesk approved.
These are the best programs for architects who want to start working on VR projects. Try them, see which one works the best for you, but know that they all have a learning curve.
