Through the Lens: VR Project Review

VR Project Review

“What do you think about 3D model review using VR glasses?” That’s the question we asked our clients on user interviews. And we got some interesting insights which we are happy to share with you. But first of all, the history of VR began in 1968 when Ivan Sutherland and Bob Sproull… No, just kidding, no theory and boring stories.

Insight 1. Not everyone understands how the VR review is possible.

So, how does it look like? All the team members get together to the same room and make strange movements? Everyone is sitting in his own space?

Imagine a scenario where designers and engineers gather, not to make uncoordinated movements in a void, but to collaboratively interact with a virtual model in a space optimized for innovation. They stand around a high-tech table, equipped with sleek VR glasses, in a room adorned with monitors displaying auxiliary data and code. This setup allows them to see and interact with a sophisticated 3D model — a new product design, perhaps a car or a building — floating above the table, visible only through their VR lenses.

This model is not a static image; it's a fully interactive representation that responds to their movements and adjustments in real-time, making the experience believably immersive. Each participant, through their VR glasses, can explore the model independently or collaboratively, simulating real-world conditions, testing functionalities, or proposing changes. Such interaction  makes the process not only deeply engaging but also incredibly efficient, because the team can give immediate feedback, discuss possible improvements and exchange ideas.

Insight 2. Some PMs believe that VR glasses are the only thing they need for conducting design review

Unfortunately, they are wrong. There are four different components which form 3D design experience.

1. VR Equipment. To conduct a 3D model review from home, each participant needs a VR headset that is compatible with the software being used for the review. This setup allows users to immerse themselves in a virtual environment where the 3D model can be explored in detail. Modern VR platforms offer a variety of interactive tools that enable users to manipulate the 3D model as if they were physically present with it. This includes zooming in and out, rotating, annotating, and even simulating the physics of certain components. Some platforms also allow for voice communication within the VR environment.
2. Collaboration and Model Sharing Software: Several VR collaboration platforms are specifically designed for 3D modeling and design review tasks, allowing users to join the same virtual space from different locations. These platforms facilitate real-time interactions among users and with the model, making them a practical tool for remote teams. In addition, there's Cloud-based Model Sharing. Given that 3D models can be large and require significant storage, cloud services offer a solution for sharing and accessing these models from anywhere. Updates to the model are synchronized in real time or at regular intervals, ensuring all team members have the latest version available.
3. High-Speed Internet Connection: A stable and high-speed internet connection is crucial for VR meetings. It ensures smooth communication, real-time model manipulation, and a lag-free experience for all participants.
4. Team which is open to new ideas: We came across a thought from a project manager saying, "My team has its routines, and our methods have been working well for us for so long, and it actually feels like a big ask to get everyone on board with changing things up, even if it's for the better, yeah?”

Insight 3. VR not only transforms industries, but has already did it

Virtual Reality is transforming how industries approach design, prototyping, and training, thanks to its immersive visualization tech. It lets users dive into a realistic 3D world, making the design phase faster, cutting down on prototyping costs, and reducing risks. This not only helps products hit the market sooner but also makes businesses more nimble by allowing for in-depth testing before anything is built for real. Plus, VR is a game-changer for training, offering safe spaces where people can level up their skills.

Virtual Reality is changing the game in designing, prototyping, and training across various sectors with its next-level, 3D experiences that make things more efficient. It speeds up design tweaks, lowers risks, and cuts down on the costs of making prototypes, which means products can get out there faster and companies can adapt more quickly. VR also creates lifelike training setups, which are great for improving skills in a safe way.

The industries most commonly revolutionized by VR include:

• Architecture and Construction: VR allows architects and builders to walk clients through virtual models of their projects, facilitating better understanding and communication of design concepts.
• Engineering: VR enables complex simulations of structures, machines, and systems, allowing engineers to test and optimize designs in a virtual environment before physical production begins. This reduces the need for costly physical prototypes, speeds up the development process, and enhances innovation by allowing for the exploration of more radical design alternatives.
• Automotive: From design and prototyping to customer experience, VR enables immersive exploration of vehicle designs and functionalities before they are physically produced.
• Healthcare: Surgeons and medical students use VR for detailed surgical simulations and training, significantly enhancing their skills in a risk-free environment.
• Education: VR provides an immersive learning experience, making complex concepts easier to understand and engaging for students.
• Retail: Virtual showrooms and try-ons offer customers a new way to experience products from the comfort of their homes, transforming the shopping experience.

Insight 4. People don't start using VR because there are too many options!

Indeed, in 2024, the abundance of VR software can be overwhelming. On the App Store alone, there are more than 8000 AR and VR apps catering to a wide range of purposes. Virtual reality software can be divided into several categories: development tools/SDKs, training software, visualization tools, content management systems, collaboration tools, and gaming engines. Let's discuss VR software suitable for reviewing 3D projects.

First of all we should mention softwares great for collaboration. InsiteVR facilitates virtual meetings and allows for annotations on 3D models. IrisVR is another one, it supports virtual meetings and design review with easy model to VR transitions. It is recognized for its collaboration and design review capabilities. The next one is Revizto, which offers architectural and MEP coordination through VR for project lifecycle management. Twinmotion utilizes Unreal Engine for realistic architectural visualizations with animations.

Specific software like Fuzor and Revit Live provide advanced visualization capabilities, blurring the lines between these categories by offering both collaborative tools and high-quality visuals.

Arkio, Dimension10 (Varjo), Mindesk VR, Prospect by IrisVR, Resolve, Revizto, Theia BigRoom, The Wild, Trezi by SmartVizX, and Unity Reflect Review are other tools highlighted for their contributions to collaborative VR in architecture, each offering unique features ranging from immersive modelling, collaborative design review, to supporting a wide range of functionalities for design through construction.

Insight 5. When discussing the high cost of VR, people often don't understand the total price involved

During our interviews, we heard a lot about the costs associated with VR review. Typically, our interviewees mentioned the cost of VR headsets and subscription fees. However, that's not the whole picture. The pricing for reviewing a VR project can include several key components, and the total cost can vary significantly based on the project's scale, the technology employed, and the specific requirements of the team.

• VR Glasses and Tools: The cost of VR headsets can vary widely, from consumer-grade devices, which might cost a few hundred dollars, to high-end, professional-grade headsets, which can run upwards of a thousand dollars or more per unit. Depending on the project, additional tools like hand trackers, haptic feedback devices, or specialized controllers might be needed. These can add several hundred dollars to the equipment cost per user.
• Subscription Costs for Software or Platforms: Many VR platforms or software tools used for project review operate on a subscription model. These costs can vary from tens to hundreds of dollars per month, depending on the complexity of the software and the level of support required.
• Operational Costs: Regular maintenance of the VR hardware and software updates can incur costs, especially for high-end devices. Increased electricity consumption for running high-end computing equipment and VR devices. Depending on the project, dedicated space for VR activities might be needed, which could involve additional rental costs.
• Onboarding and Training Costs: The cost of training staff to use VR equipment and software effectively. This could include the cost of hiring external trainers or buying training materials. If custom VR environments or models are needed for the project review, the development costs can add significantly to the project. This might involve hiring VR developers or buying custom assets.

Let's consider a small project team needing 5 VR headsets, basic software subscriptions, and minimal custom development:

• VR Glasses: 5 x $300 (Oculus Quest 2) = $1,500
• Software Subscription: $50/month/user = $250/month
• Operational Costs: Variable; could be minimal for small setups
• Onboarding: Assuming minimal external costs, mainly internal time spent learning

For larger projects, or those requiring high-end equipment, enterprise software, and extensive custom development, costs could easily escalate into tens of thousands of dollars.

Pros and Cons

So, VR technologies have a lot of advantages. It allows for immersive, ****three-dimensional visualizations, enabling teams to experience and evaluate designs or environments as if they were physically present, leading to more intuitive understanding and decision-making.

It facilitates remote collaboration, allowing team members from different locations to interact with each other within the same virtual space, thus reducing travel costs and time.

Finally, VR technology enables detailed, scalable simulations, making it possible to test different scenarios and identify potential issues before physical implementation so the team can avoid costly revisions and delays, ensuring a smoother and more efficient development process.

However, there are a bunch of limitations.

First of all, limitations in technology: issues like tracking accuracy, lighting conditions, and graphical fidelity can impact the utility of AR for detailed model reviews. While many modern smartphones and tablets support AR, the best experience might require more advanced hardware. This could include AR glasses or headsets, which represent an additional investment.

Second, beginners barrier and learning curve. There might be a learning curve associated with using AR tools effectively. Users unfamiliar with AR might need time to adjust to interacting with models in a mixed-reality environment.

Third, data security: when using AR apps for reviewing proprietary or sensitive 3D models, data security becomes a concern. Ensuring that models are securely transmitted and viewed is crucial, especially in a professional context.

Forth, the price. Usually it is not available for small and medium businesses, and is кусачая for everyone.

And probably the most significant limitation is human factor. Some individuals hesitate to use VR due to discomforts like the "VR hangover," a form of motion sickness caused by a disconnect between what the user sees in the virtual environment and what their body feels. This can lead to nausea, dizziness, or headaches, deterring users from engaging with VR technology.

Additionally, a conservative attitude towards new technologies makes some individuals wary of adopting VR, preferring familiar and traditional methods over new, immersive experiences.

Is there a suitable, or perhaps even a better, alternative?

If you consider all these limitations, you'll see that while VR solutions address many issues, they also introduce new ones. So why not explore an option that is effective, profitable, and doesn't create additional problems? A software solution that addresses your needs and completes your workflow while remaining straightforward, requiring no team training, being more cost-effective, working on any device, and featuring the most secure cybersecurity protocols?

Sibe.io emerges as an innovative platform with key advantages for VR project review.

Firstly, Sibe is familiar and user-friendly. Designed with simplicity and ease of use at its core, it ensures that users can navigate and use the platform without extensive training. This accessibility broadens its appeal, making it suitable for a wider audience, including those less familiar with technology.

Secondly, Sibe's cost is significantly lower because it doesn't require specialized equipment, operational costs are reduced, and onboarding to Sibe is unnecessary due to its intuitive design. It's an affordable solution that works on a wide range of devices. Users on desktops, laptops, tablets, or smartphones can access and interact with the platform, making it a flexible and inclusive choice for various scenarios.

Finally, Sibe.io emphasizes strong security protocols to safeguard user data and privacy. This dedication to security not only protects sensitive information but also fosters trust among users, establishing it as a reliable and secure platform for accessing digital content and collaborating on projects.

In summary, Sibe.io shines as a straightforward, effective, and smooth solution compared to traditional VR. It brings the perks of innovation and involvement without the usual downsides like high expenses, complicated setups, and issues with device compatibility.

However, Sibe does have its limitations - no immersive accessories like fancy snowboard glasses.