{"id":22714,"date":"2021-07-13T07:52:53","date_gmt":"2021-07-13T14:52:53","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.autodesk.com\/products\/fusion-360\/blog\/?p=22714"},"modified":"2021-07-30T09:43:35","modified_gmt":"2021-07-30T16:43:35","slug":"how-vr-and-ar-can-help-you-better-visualize-projects","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.autodesk.com\/products\/fusion-360\/blog\/how-vr-and-ar-can-help-you-better-visualize-projects\/","title":{"rendered":"How VR and AR Can Help You Better Visualize Projects"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

VR and AR provide virtual 3D environments for designers, engineers and clients to preview products before they hit the production line. In this article, you’ll learn about the different ways these technologies support the design and review process.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"vr-ar-desdign-process\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Popular culture has always been one step ahead of technological advancements in terms of creativity. The idea of virtual reality (VR) first emerged in a short story titled \u201cPygmalion\u2019s Spectacles<\/a>,\u201d written by Stanley G. Weinbaum in 1935. Since then, VR has slowly emerged from the tech industry with varying degrees of success. The dream of any VR enthusiast is to \u201cexperience worlds within worlds,\u201d as spoken by Keith David\u2019s character in Season 6, Episode 2 of Community<\/em>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In the last ten years, VR has become a tangible reality for engineers and consumers. So what happened to that short augmented reality (AR) craze a few years ago? Well, AR has become more helpful in the design and manufacturing process than in the consumer market. AR gaming never quite got off the ground. However, designers and engineers have been able to use 3D models and renderings to examine products before production.<\/p>\n\n\n

VR vs. AR<\/h2>\n\n\n

The main difference between VR and AR is immersion. Virtual reality utilizes a headset to immerse the user in a 3D digital environment completely. The user can see, hear, and virtually touch their surroundings while in the headset. Thus, virtual reality can have a very realistic aura. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

On the other hand, augmented reality is a superimposed 3D graphic design that lays over a real-world picture. Usually, AR is used on a mobile device via the camera and USDz files \u2014 an unencrypted zip file that packages all data required for an AR rendering. AR is most beneficial to visualize a 3D design in a real 3D space.<\/p>\n\n\n

Real-World VR Applications<\/h2>\n\n\n

One of the most readily known and, quite possibly, the most popular application for VR is set in the gaming industry. Sony, Microsoft, Facebook, Google, and Samsung \u2014 to name a few<\/a> \u2014 are leading the charge in VR gaming<\/a> technologies. But how is VR shaping other industries like the design industry?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

One key benefit of VR is the ability to view products in their intended spaces without ever leaving the office. Virtual reality can help designers and engineers visualize the products with their clients in an immersive environment. It can also be used in the ideation phase thanks to VR sketching programs like Gravity Sketch<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

VR is not limited to gaming and design. Other applications include:<\/p>\n\n\n\n