Three dimensional holographic visualization technology company Zebra Imaging announced the launch of a 3D Hologram Creator plugin for Autodesk Revit Building Information Modeling (BIM) software users. Now, all Revit users can quickly and easily create designs that can be printed as 3D holographic prints to showcase their architecture, engineering, and construction designs.
The 3D Hologram Creator extends the native file export capabilities of Revit’s software to include OBJ files, the format required for holographic printing. The software will export all selected geometry in a 3D view along with any materials used in the scene, and it fits seamlessly into any AEC professional’s workflow.
The software in preview. Image courtesy Zebra Imaging
“Holograms are new to the architecture market, but their ability to depict depth and detail in eye-catching ways are exactly what clients want to see,” said Chuck Scullion, Zebra Imaging’s President and CEO, in a release. “Immersing clients into a design will now be as simple as preparing a file for printing. The focus belongs on the design, not the process.”
“Gone are the days of expensive, fragile, and bulky solid models that take weeks to produce,” the company said in a release. “3D holograms provide accurate portrayals of design projects that are ready to pass on to clients. Multiple copies can also be easily printed for close examination.”
Holograms help increase visual awareness of a 3D model, particularly for people who are visually challenged, which ultimately increases the collaboration and understanding of the overall design. The "wow" factor of holograms makes them a powerful tool when bidding for a project.
“Providing Revit users with the ability to create holograms from building models adds a new level of sophistication to design visualization,” said Sasha Crotty, Revit Core Product Manager, Autodesk. “We’re glad that the Revit community will be among the first to gain access to this exciting new presentation and design exploration technology.”
With the 3D Hologram Creator plugin for Revit, users can visualize and create their hologram directly within the Revit application and export their design to Zebra Imaging all in a single afternoon. The hologram will then be created at Zebra Imaging’s print center and shipped out anywhere in the world. Most projects are completed within five to seven business days of receiving the order.
Related Stories
BIM and Information Technology | Dec 3, 2015
New app visualizes cellular and Wi-Fi signals in an area
Using data collected from millions of cell towers and Wi-Fi routers, the app makes the invisible visible.
BIM and Information Technology | Nov 30, 2015
Light-based wireless technology is 100 times faster than Wi-Fi
Li-Fi, which reaches speeds of 224 gigabits per second, is being tested in Estonia.
Sponsored | BIM and Information Technology | Nov 25, 2015
Contractor leverages dynamic site logistic plan as BIM deliverable
I recently sat down with two Architects-Turned-VDC-Process-Managers to discuss the ways in which they are leveraging technology to bring the value of BIM downstream
BIM and Information Technology | Nov 24, 2015
Solving the data conundrum with better tools to capture, share, and analyze information
At a recent Thornton Tomasetti symposium, experts showed how designs and projects can be improved by granular information that’s accessible to more users.
Modular Building | Nov 19, 2015
AECOM and Project Frog form partnership for building modular data centers
The Rapid Deployment Team will provide solutions for data centers both small (1 MW) and large (50+ MW).
BIM and Information Technology | Nov 18, 2015
AIA: Energy modeling key to reaching carbon neutrality in buildings
Energy modeling allows architects to be more ambitious with energy-saving in their design projects.
Green | Nov 17, 2015
DOE launches new data collaborative to help cities and states boost building efficiency
The SEED Standard will help manage, standardize, share performance data.
Sponsored | BIM and Information Technology | Nov 12, 2015
Is the PDF revolution advancing BIM workflows?
Many project teams who struggle to get everyone up to speed with BIM, find PDFs a useful tool to bridge the gap between the BIM world and the paper world
BIM and Information Technology | Nov 3, 2015
How virtual and augmented reality can shape architecture and design
Gensler's Alan Robles examines a few ways VR and AR could create value for architecture and design professionals.
BIM and Information Technology | Oct 29, 2015
MIT develops ‘river of 3D pixels’ to assemble objects
The Kinetic Blocks can manipulate objects into shapes without human interference.