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  • Writer's pictureAnkit Singhai
    • Jan 31, 2022
    • 2 min read

BIM Model Collaboration in Metaverse

Metaverse is a hot topic these days and is claimed by both Facebook and Microsoft. But what is the Metaverse?


Author Neil Stephenson allegedly coined the term "Metaverse" in his 1992 science fiction novel "Snow Crash." In this novel, I envisioned a realistic avatar that would appear in a realistic 3D building or other virtual reality environment.


Since then, various developments have marked the milestone of the path to the true Metaverse, an online virtual world that includes augmented reality, virtual reality, 3D holographic avatars, video, and other means of communication.


As the Metaverse expands, it provides you with a surreal alternative world to coexist.


Metaverse is a combination of multiple technology elements such as virtual reality, augmented reality, and video, where users "live" in the digital universe.


Construction industry has been experimenting with Metaversa as well with technologies like augmented reality, virtual reality etc. Keeping the projects running during the COVID pandemic amid various uncertainties and challenges like labor-shortage, construction shutdowns etc. is no easy task. In times when site visits and office meetings are no longer viable option or at least relatively difficult to carry out effectively, project teams are looking for new ways to stay on schedule and keep the projects going.


BIM-enabled virtual reality gadgets have been around for years, but tools that were once considered marketing gimmicks and expensive toys have since evolved into a usable coordination tool.


Image Courtesy: InsiteVR


InsiteVR is a technology company that provides tools for virtual reality BIM and is fully integrated into the Autodesk BIM360 cloud platform. BIM models can be loaded into VR with a few clicks. Annotations and notes created in VR are automatically saved to BIM and can be used to automatically generate RFI and other design documentation.


Image Courtesy: InsiteVR


Due to the pandemic, construction industry is turning to virtual reality for remote viewing and collaboration of BIM models. A few years ago, a setup like this would have cost thousands of dollars, but now it's a lot cheaper to buy, and there's no problem with customizing it for individual needs. The VR experience is also enhanced with cheaper hardware like the Oculus Quest headset which is available for few hundred dollars. The Quest is a standalone device with no wires running from the headset or controller, and does not require to be connected to a powerful PC.


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