One of our guiding principles is our commitment to provide virtual collaboration for everyone, from the BIM experts to the worker on the ground, from the project owner to cleaning crew. We are constantly expanding the number of file types we integrate with and ways to enter virtual reality, and are excited to announce our latest release: you can now bring point clouds straight into VR together with your BIM using VREX!

Keep reading to learn about our latest release of point cloud support. We’ll cover the new workflow for bringing point clouds into VR and how these can transform your meetings.  

How to Bring Point Clouds into VR 

Our solution for bringing point clouds into VR is just as easy as with BIM. Simply upload your E57 point clouds and any other BIM models to Vrex and it will automatically be ready for your collaborative meetings

The projects can be shared and viewed by anyone you want at any time. Either by using a VR headset like the Oculus Rift, Quest 2, HTC Vive, or other tethered headsets, or by using our full feature desktop viewer. 

Want more info on how to join a VR meeting? Here’s more info on how our solution works.  

QA/QC with Point Clouds in VR 

By combining BIM models with point cloud scans, it’s easy to do visual inspections to see if the current status of the construction project aligns with how it was planned in the BIM model. If there are any critical differences that will impact the upcoming work, you will be equipped to make the best possible solutions before the problems pile up due to a mismatch between as planned and as built. 
 

One project – a 55,000 square meter cold food storage facility – completed BIM coordination between structural, plumbing, electrical, and ventilation, as well as QA/QC inspections in Vrex. 

This ensured that everything was built as needed, it was easy to assess any deviations (and come up with solutions quickly), and the project could progress smoothly between stages.  
 

Specifically, for the food storage facility, checking that slab recesses were in place prior to the next project phase was critical to avoiding delays given the nature of the materials. Collaboration between disciplines was easy because views could be shared with others on the project without the hassle of sharing a file back and forth!  

Using Point Clouds for Rehab Projects 

We’ve also seen point cloud-driven VR meetings be beneficial for rehab projects of all sizes. Not only does it help project teams better understand the context and proposed solutions, it also makes it easier to collaborate. Clients, installers, or sub-contractors can get instant access to view the design in a medium that everyone understands (much more than 2D plans).  

The standard use case we’ve seen is teams will do a point cloud scan of the building/space they’re working on, build out BIM of the changes/additions (for example – a new ventilation system), and then integrate it with the point cloud view.  

How to Start Using Point Clouds for VR Meetings 

It’s easy to get started with better coordination meetings! Request a free trial or live demo of Vrex today.