Unity Reflect makes it easy to bring Building Information Modeling (BIM) data into virtual reality (VR). Learn how you can use the Unity Reflect VR Viewer to conduct immersive design reviews with Autodesk Revit models.
This blog post is about Unity Reflect, a product targeted at our architecture, engineering and construction audience. Read this blog for updates on Unity’s XR platform support.
The value of VR in the architecture, engineering, and construction (AEC) industry is well documented. It provides an unrivaled medium for gathering rich feedback, catching design flaws, and reducing the need for physical mockups. Studies have shown construction professionals are twice as likely to spot design errors when reviewing designs in VR versus PCs.
Unity is the leading platform for creating content for AR and VR applications. Unity’s AEC customers use VR for a wide range of use cases, from conducting immersive walkthroughs that help their clients catch errors pre-construction and save hundreds of thousands of dollars on individual projects, to creating immersive training programs that lead to safer job sites.
Unity Reflect in VR
One of our customers’ favorite parts of Unity Reflect is how it simplifies the process of bringing AEC projects into augmented reality (AR) and VR. With Unity Reflect and its native integration with Revit, you can:
- Instantly prepare and deploy multiple Revit models for VR
- Shorten revision cycles by having changes in Revit update in VR in real-time
- Make BIM data accessible to clients and other key stakeholders
HTC VIVE Pro is the first VR system to be compatible with Unity Reflect out of the box. You can also import your projects into the Unity Editor to extend the functionality of the VR Viewer or deploy to other VR platforms supported by Unity, including Oculus and Windows Mixed Reality.
Try Unity Reflect for free for 14 days
Unity Reflect VR Viewer
The default interface for the Unity Reflect VR Viewer includes seven buttons, two of which are exclusive to the VR Viewer: BIM Viewer and Mini World. We plan to make this functionality available in PC and iOS Viewers in the future.
Let’s dive into what you get out of the box in the VR Viewer.
BIM Viewer
Unity Reflect preserves BIM data from Revit, making it possible to place this rich information into the hands of clients, consultants, and project leaders. The BIM Viewer lets users select any object within the model and instantly get a holistic view of its associated BIM data (e.g., length, volume, width, and description).
BIM Filter
In addition, you can access different aggregated views of BIM data. With BIM filtering, you can toggle the visibility of BIM data and hide or isolate various components of the project.
Sync with Revit
This opens a live connection between Revit and Unity Reflect. Every change in Revit is updated automatically in the VR Viewer, helping close gaps between revisions and meetings.
Mini World
Mini World shows your model on a smaller scale, helping you see the big picture. You can scale and rotate the Mini World view based on your preferences.
Projects
Easily toggle between multiple projects that you have federated from Revit. Bringing a new project into VR is as simple as selecting
Screen Mode
Activate or disable the VR Viewer.
Settings
Navigating models in VR
The Unity Reflect VR Viewer offers two ways to explore your model: Fly or Teleport. You can use them separately or in tandem to explore the interior and exterior. For instance, you can use Fly to travel to different floors of a model and Teleport to navigate within different parts of the floorplan.
Teleport
Teleport mode lets you quickly move around large areas by pointing an arc where you want to go. This is the easiest navigation option to use, especially for project reviewers who are new to VR. Pro-tip: If you want to travel longer distances, press the trigger on the controller to double the length of your teleport arc.
Fly
Fly mode lets you take flight and navigate the model from a bird’s eye view. Pro-tip: Press the trigger on the controller to fly twice as fast.
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Want to bring your Revit models into VR? Get a free trial of Unity Reflect now.
Don’t forget to check out more information about Unity Reflect on our blog, FAQ page, and product page. You can also learn how to use Unity Reflect with this free course on our official learning platform or book an in-person training workshop for your team.
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10 replies on “Explore Revit models in VR with Unity Reflect”
Very Interesting
interesting update. unity brings an evolution in gaming. I feel proud as a game developer, working at https://ksawritingservice.com/ for more than 5 years on the unity platform. thanks to unity
Yayyy!! lets bring new paid stuff and ignore all unfinished/broken modules like networking, lighting, terrain and a large etc…!!
Interesting
Why only support revit? The whole idea of BIM is openness…..
Revit is our first integration and a natural fit relative to our close partnership with Autodesk. We will also have integrations with SketchUp and Rhino shortly with Navisworks and BIM360 to follow.
Wow… Goodbye Unity.
Hm. Okay. There was a blog posting announced on the forums “that will cover all of our XR platform support updates, which will also include an update on OpenVR”. Is that one still coming?
Or is the update that Unity is now a glorified model viewer that only runs on “Oculus, GearVR, Windows Mixed Reality, and Google Daydream” (which are, with the exception of Oculus, all the dead platforms). The SteamVR/OpenVR platform, which happens to support all relevant PC VR systems is missing.
What’s going on?
Still waiting for the blog post about VR (XR) platform support updates in Unity -_-
That one had to be postponed but will be published later today.
https://forum.unity.com/threads/xr-plugins-and-subsystems.693463/page-4#post-5402625