3 design projects VR can simplify
Design applications are gaining ground in virtual reality.
When we think about applications for virtual reality, we often consider two major categories: entertainment and practical use. Together, these categories cover a majority of noteworthy uses for VR, from video games and cinema to medical treatments. But another category that seems increasingly likely to gain ground is design.
Broadly speaking, there are various types of design projects that can be simplified and improved in VR. Below, we’ll look into three of them. We haven’t necessarily seen VR design applications in these areas, but it’s become clear that such programs would have a lot to offer.
1. Building Architecture
It actually makes some sense to think of VR in architecture as an evolution of gaming concepts. After all, one of the first major gaming titles people were excited to see in virtual reality was Minecraft — which in part involves designing structures. The concept of VR in architecture is fundamentally no different. It means being able to navigate a 3D environment to build structures with ease, and at scale.
In this case we actually have seen some early examples of VR applications, too. Metropolis Mag looked into architectural VR and suggested that the technology “has the potential to revolutionize the design process.” Indeed, it certainly seems as if the ability to design, edit, and observe entire architectural products in interactive 3D environments could have massive implications. These may include anything from speeding up renderings to collaborating on projects with fellow designers around the world,
2. PCB Design
PCBs, for people who may not recognize the abbreviation, are printed circuit boards. They house the electrical connectors and various components that direct the functions of virtually all, everyday electronics. And their design is quite complicated. Right now, PCBs are made largely through software programs that enable people to customize features, layer schematics, and so on. But in VR, this could become a more hands-on process; edits would be simpler, and virtual testing could help people to perfect designs.
As of today, we don’t know of a full VR option for PCB design. The closest thing is perhaps 3D measuring through Altium Designer, a program that “allows the complete visualization” of circuit board schematics “in full, three-dimensional detail.” This can certainly simply the process, and even allow for more complex designs. But going a step further, and allowing people to actually interact with larger models representing tiny PCBs, could be a game changer.
3. Home Décor
We could well see virtual reality revolutionize home decorating as well. There are already some similar applications that are being used in homes. We covered one in our write-up ‘Virtual Reality Brings a New Dimension to Real Estate’ — specifically noting how VR is expanding the market by making open houses virtually accessible from anywhere in the world. Another example, in mixed reality at least, is augmented reality’s use in home shopping, which allows people to envision furniture in place before buying it.
What we’re likely to see in time though is a whole suite of VR apps that are specifically built for home design. These apps could effectively showcase virtual versions of home layouts alongside limitless furnishing and decorating options, and allow people to fully customize their homes without ever stepping foot inside them. In some cases this could purely serve as a preliminary design; in others it could pair with purchasing options, the way the aforementioned AR shopping apps do.
These three suggestions have relatively little to do with one another. It’s a pretty big leap from architecture to PCB design, and from PCB design to home decorating. The variety between these examples, though, should help to convey the vast potential of virtual reality in various design-related tasks and industries.
READ MORE ON HAPTICAL
SUPPORT HAPTICAL — We are an independent publisher committed to highlight important VR/AR trends, products and services. Even a small donation could be huge. Thank you 🙏
