Engineering Inc - September/October 2017 - 37

ENHANCED REVIEWS AND COLLABORATION

Walter P Moore is also using VR to provide an enhanced means
of project design review and collaboration for clients-combining both the immersive and mobile versions of VR.
Less than a year ago, the firm formed a VR Group within its
Technology Consulting Services organization, says Jim Jacobi,
senior principal and Chief Information Officer. This group
serves as the focal point for Walter P Moore's "VR factory,"
which is capable of producing models for use with HTC Vive, a
high-end VR headset from Valve Corp.
"These VR models can be built from 3D model files generated by virtually any 3D capable design platform, including
Revit, Tekla, InfraWorks, Rhino, SketchUp, Navisworks and
many others," Jacobi says. "We have developed a custom tool set
designed for the Vive environment which provides a wide variety
of interactive features for enhanced navigation 'in world,' such as
teleportation, jetpack, virtual lift and others."
The tool set design has evolved based on feedback from design
teams using the VR environment for review and collaboration.
Additional capabilities include a display of BIM properties
tagged to model elements, virtual cameras, measuring tools and
interaction devices.
The turnaround time for a VR model build is typically a day
or less, Jacobi says. "If more model detail is desired, then more
time can be required for a truly enhanced build, typically one to
two weeks," he says. The VR group provides the model builds to

production staff, who have been trained in the use of the Vive
VR equipment.
"This process facilitates the production and use of VR assets,"
Jacobi says. In addition to the immersive Vive environment, the
firm also produced a mobile VR product based on the creation
of stereo panoramic images that can be viewed using the Visual
Vocal application on an iPhone or Android device.
"This technology enables us to quickly assemble and distribute a VR-like experience to a wide audience, even enabling
hosted review meetings to collect input from stakeholders,"
Jacobi says. "In general, the VR experience to date has been
very positive, as we have been able to accomplish a very quick
turnaround time for a VR model build from the production 3D
model feed stock," he says.
The custom tool set also provides the features needed by
designers and contractors to interact in a meaningful way with
the VR models. "We are close to enabling multiplayer scenarios,
[so] that more than one participant can be in the model simultaneously," Jacobi says. "In this way, the use of VR adds much
more value than just bridging the gap to the next generation of
visualization. It brings a new generation of design/review capabilities. We have found that the VR experience lets users appreciate what their projects 'feel like,' not just how they look." ■
Bob Violino is a business and technology writer based in Massapequa
Park, New York.

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