Consumers are giving the Oculus Rift and HTC Vive a tepid reception, but organizations like NASA and BMW think the VR headsets are great for things like training and design. HTC is today launching MakeVR, a program built in collaboration with Sixense that lets you do modeling and sculpting in VR, then export the results to a CAD program or 3D printer. As we saw last month, it uses the Vive’s controllers (and maybe the new trackers, more on that in a sec) to let you do freeform modeling and design.
The app interface resembles a studio where you can do hands-on work with the controllers. “Room-scale VR gives creators a virtual workshop, and the use of natural physical motions brings unprecedented expressiveness and intuitiveness to object design,” said Vive Studios Head Joel Breton.
A brief HTC Vive Studios video shows an artist creating a cartoon turtle’s eyes, exporting the files and 3D printing a physical version. The company says the app is designed for “all ages and skill levels with a low learning curve and intuitive two-handed 3D multi-touch interface.” It can supposedly help you “easily and naturally” create 3D objects on a one-to-one scale with simple physical movements and gestures. However, another video I saw the process look a little janky.
HTC further says that using the apps can give you an experience that’s “more powerful and expressive” than a mouse and touchscreen, but again, it seems more like a toy than a powerful app like ZBrush. You can then send your files to modeling apps or 3D print them directly. The app is now available for $20 at Viveport, and HTC has promised a more powerful version called MakeVR Pro later this year.
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Source: Engadget