IrisVR Brings VR to Construction Industry with Navisworks Integration

For the first time, the construction industry can take their 3D models into VR with one click

IrisVR

IrisVR, a leading immersive design review and collaboration software for the Architecture, Engineering, and Construction industries, announces a new native Beta integration between Prospect and Autodesk Navisworks as part of its latest release.

As the first Navisworks plugin built for VR, this integration will deliver a premium immersive experience that puts comfort and performance first. You can expect:

  • Real time performance 
  • Low latency 
  • Locomotion best practices 
  • Access to BIM metadata 
  • Experiences running at 90FPS

This new Navisworks beta integration will let construction and engineering teams quickly launch 3D models in VR, meaning faster, more efficient model reviews. The ability to capture issues in the model before construction begins will save thousands of dollars and avoid delays.

While Prospect users have been exporting FBX files from Navisworks and importing them into Prospect for months, the workflow required extra steps that the IrisVR team wanted to eliminate. Now, engineering and construction firms can bring their 3D models into VR with just one click, so they can easily:

  • Perform visual clash detection and evaluate complex systems 
  • Review models with accurate spatial relationships and true-to-scale layouts 
  • Coordinate trades in 1:1 scale across the project 
  • Collect feedback from construction and operations staff 
  • Improve collaboration and communication among teams

"While the architecture community and some construction firms have been early adopters of VR, the Navisworks plugin now enables construction teams to perform design review, QA/QC, and coordination in 1:1 scale, taking out the ambiguity of 2D coordination and driving much clearer communication," says IrisVR Co-founder and CEO, Shane Scranton.

The first beta release supports a basic geometry and file structure export that will allow you to select individual elements in VR. IrisVR is already working to expand these capabilities to provide support for full BIM data, advanced clash detection, project timeline tools, and more.


IrisVR Co-founder and CTO, Nate Beatty, says of the Navisworks integration launch, "Over the next few months the IrisVR team will continue investing in the development of this integration, focusing on improving the efficiency and expanding the capabilities. We strive to make VR model reviews and project planning as intuitive, efficient, and productive as possible - and we will do our best to deliver on that promise."

The new Prospect release also includes other features beyond the Navisworks integration that enhance design review workflows for AEC professionals. A new feature will allow users to hide or unhide any selected element which provides greater visibility into the inner workings of a building. Improved teleportation with a door fade feature, section capping, and Multiuser Meeting host controls are also included in this launch.

Prospect is available on a monthly or annual subscription basis, with three pricing tiers starting at $50/month. The Navisworks plugin is available to customers on any tier.

IrisVR creates the leading software tools for immersive design review and collaboration. Prospect by IrisVR is a desktop product used by design firms, BIM and VDC teams, and engineers to instantly communicate design intent and regularly collaborate with stakeholders around the world. Because IrisVR integrates with Revit, Rhino, SketchUp, Navisworks, and other 3D tools out of the box, you can generate immersive walkthroughs in less than 10 seconds. 

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