construction

How VR and 3D Visualization Services Are Changing Construction Industry

AEC industry, construction, featured, Sponsored, virtual reality / Ryan Harris / January 5, 2023

Uses of VR and 3D Visualization Services in the Construction Industry

The construction industry is extensively employing building information modeling (BIM) and computer-aided design (CAD) software for design and construction processes, and they can also work well with VR. When VR is combined with BIM and CAD for 3D architectural visualization services, it becomes possible to visualize and walk through a project as though it was completed.

Furthermore, it becomes easier to identify design errors and make changes before construction begins. This explains why clients now prefer to work with a 3D architectural rendering company to save money and time. VR is growing in relevance in the construction industry, and here are some of the ways VR and 3D visualization services are changing the industry.

Design

3D architectural rendering services produce renderings of a structure to showcase interior and exterior designs even to the finest detail. Furthermore, 3D renderings, visualizations, and animations make it possible to walk through a building as though you are physically present. Besides, it becomes easier to communicate ideas among a design team and to clients or stakeholders.

However, 3D renderings, visualizations, and animations provide little interactivity with the features of a structure because you can only see but not touch. Conversely, VR adds that touch of interactivity and fine details to 3D architectural visualization services. Thus, a viewer can carry out tasks like switching on the light and opening a door, among others.

Renovation

VR technology has made the renovation of structures easier. For instance, the technology can create a digital version of an existing building regardless of when it was built. The digital version is what a 3D architectural rendering company works on for remodeling before actual renovation work begins.

When a person that wants to renovate a building approaches an architect, the architect makes a virtual representation of the remodeled building. VR is then used to visualize and interact with the building to see if the new features meet the house owner’s requirements and fit well into the house.

Project Completion and Delivery

Construction projects need to be completed on time to avoid extra expenses. Generally, large projects take more time to complete than small projects. However, even a small project can take more time to complete than a relatively large project because of delays caused by errors or minor issues. Thus, professionals in the construction industry must adapt to situations to avoid delays on projects as much as possible.

VR technology helps to spot activities or tasks that can delay a project early. Furthermore, it can help to come up with different solutions to errors and challenges and choose the best solution. Thus, VR and 3D architectural visualization services are helping to fast-track project completion and delivery.

Safety and Training

Because of the risks and accidents associated with the construction site environment, there may be better ideas to train personnel on site. Therefore, training on safety and equipment use can be done off-site with VR and 3D architectural rendering services.

For instance, a heavy equipment operator can be put through a refresher training in the virtual world on how to operate a piece of equipment and safeguard himself and his environment while working in the real world.

Marketing

VR and 3D architectural visualization services are great for marketing because they help you create attractive marketing campaigns and materials, especially for real estate. Potential property buyers can easily interact and inspect a building through 3D walkthrough animations without stepping foot in the building.

Furthermore, photorealistic representations and walkthrough animations can be used to get clients’ feedback to improve a structure before and during construction.

Conclusion

The construction industry is increasingly adapting innovative and disruptive technologies such as VR and 3D visualization services. Furthermore, VR is becoming a standard tool that aids communication among all parties on a project.

Therefore every professional and stakeholder in the architecture, engineering, and construction (AEC) industry must partner with a 3D architectural company to help use VR and other innovative technologies to meet the demands of productivity and project delivery.

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HomeAR Geolocates Virtual Homes, New Metrics for Developers

AEC industry, AR platform, augmented reality, construction, featured / Ryan Harris / December 29, 2022

We first met homeAR in March. The solution for homebuilders and their clients creates virtual models of homes that are visible on-site or in a “dollhouse mode” from anywhere. So, what’s next? Entire AR communities? Actually, yes. Other recent updates to the platform include an “Always-On” feature and more compatibility with other applications.

Welcome homeAR

HomeAR has been around for quite a while now, but it has only existed in its current iteration for the last few years after CEO Richard Penny was inspired by his own experience in having a house built.

Always-On homeAR

The last time that we checked in with homeAR, prospective homeowners could see the AR model of their home on-site or wherever they happened to be. Either of these solutions made it easier for them to envision their future dwelling to better work with contractors to make sure that everything went according to plan (or change the plan).

“When a person is using this and expecting it to behave like a house, we want to make it usable so people aren’t just interacting with a 3D widget, they’re interacting with a house,” Penny told ARPost at the time.

The application was good for exactly that. People having a house built could view their house virtually before the ground was even broken on their property. But, not all houses are custom-built by a property owner working with a private contractor. What about people looking to move into a new housing complex or subdivision? That’s where some of the new features come in.

Your Next Home Hasn’t Been Built Yet

HomeAR has been rolling out a bunch of new features, but one of the most exciting is the Always-On feature. Builders can import their CAD models to the homeAR backend and then associate the model with a QR code on-site. Visitors to the site can then scan the QR code to launch the experience.

Always-On feature homeAR

That experience consists of virtual houses pinned to their future locations in the physical world. Potentially replacing a single model home and an artist’s 2D rendering of the building site, this experience allows visitors to envision an entire unbuilt community in the physical environment around them.

“Being able to take buyers on a journey where they can experience not only an individual home, but a whole community, is hugely powerful for both parties,” Penny said in a release shared with ARPost. “This Always-On technology provides a glimpse of the future at the site of the build and is the perfect tool to help someone imagine what lies in store for them.”

This tool doesn’t only provide information to visitors, it also provides information to developers. Metrics gathered from users interacting with the virtual development help project managers understand how potential residents are exploring the site.

What’s Next?

This isn’t the end of homeAR. Some of the features that Penny told us to expect in the future still aren’t here – like spatially anchored notes within the virtual model homes, and recording video within the app. We aren’t sure when to expect these features, but it’s nice to see that the company isn’t standing still.

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