Finding virtual reality tools for engineers, architects and designers that are more than a flashy and somewhat useless novelty (generally in the form of a demo) is not easy to do. In the world of gamers, the exultation of virtual reality is a little easier to understand, given the experiences that are available to consumers at this time.
So when a company named Yulio appeared on my radar, claiming to offer a dynamic and simple virtual reality tool for architects, interior designers, real estate managers and construction professionals, my first reaction was total skepticism.
I can understand the need for architects and interior designers to show clients how a 3D model represents an immersive vision, one that possibly requires an imaginative trick that clients might not possess.
The Yulio platform uses smartphone virtual reality like Google Cardboard, which allows users to turn their smartphones into a mild virtual reality experience. Of course, the first thing you need to do is download the Yulio viewer app for your iPhone or Android smartphone. If you are using the Samsung Gear VR headset, you’ll need to download the viewer from the Oculus store.
After you download the Yulio viewer app for your device, you can click on one of the virtual worlds available in Yulio’s gallery. You’ll receive a pairing code, and your smartphone will be connected with your selection, allowing you to move through it as an immersive virtual reality experience.
If you create an immersive 3D design for a client, you can upload it to Yulio and create a custom virtual reality experience for them. This kind of tool makes sense for architects and designers who can become frustrated after the visual presentation of the design falls flat, sometimes costing them revenue and causing them heartache.
There’s no worse feeling than understanding that a design is perfect for a client, understanding the amount of time and care that goes into it and failing to communicate this because the client can’t visualize the design in 3D.
Yulio uses a subscription-based model and users can upload SketchUp, Revit, 3ds Max and Rhino designs to the Yulio viewer app. What you need is a method for creating stereoscopic cube maps and Yulio is in the process of beta testing custom plug-ins for SketchUp, Revit and 3ds Max.
To learn more about submitting work for the virtual reality viewer app from Yulio, click here.