VR Sketch
by Hiloni, updated by Shashidhar Pai
Overview
VR Sketch is an extension for sketchUp. VR Sketch allows user to view models developed in sketchUp in VR as well as edit, move, add components,etc. collaboratively and reflects those changes automatically in sketchUp
We compare it to other VR designing softwares here.
Tutorials
Tutorial #1: 'Sketch Up': Get hand-on experience on the basics of Sketch Up : 30 mins
Tutorial #2: 'VR Sketch Youtube Tutorials': Get hand-on experience on the basics ofVR Sketch: 15 mins
Tutorial #3: 'VR Sketch Controls': Understand how to use the controls
System Requirements
For development
OS: Windows 7 SP1+, 8, 10, 64-bit versions only; Mac OS X 10.9+
Software Requirements
Windows- SketchUp 2017 to 2020, Mac: SketchUp 2020(Recommended for proper editing)
Compatible VR Headsets
HTC Vive/Vive Pro, Value Index, Oculus Rift/Rift S, Oculus Link, or Oculus Quest(1 or 2)(Not officially supported but works)
Metrics
Accessibility: The estimated time for someone to create design in VR Sketch and SketchUp
Beginner: No design experience | 2+ hours
Intermediate: Some design experience | 1+ hours
Advanced: Have architectural and interiordesign experience | 30+ minutes
Power: The engine's power - i.e. how much one can do with this
High: Anyone can easily learn to design in VR Sketch. To create all the model nicely and scale, some designing and architectural experience in Sketch Up can be helpful. While other softwares such as Sentio VR and IRIS VR also provides extension with SketchUp, this allows multiple users to edit in Virtual Reality.(Other softwares allow multiple people view only).
Usage: Evaluation of software's use for the following purposes
Architecture/Interior Designing- built architectural mdoels and interior design collaboratively and edit in Virtual reality
Summary
Overall, VR Sketch is an amazing designing tool which can easily get connected to Sketch Up and shows entire design in VR. The changes that are made in Sketch Up are actively updated in Virtual Reality and vice versa. This software allows multiple people to collaborate and edit together(most other softwares allows multiple people to edit together) in Virtual Reality. We strongly recommend using VR Sketch for collabaratively designing.