Zebra Imaging launches 3D hologram creator for Autodesk Revit

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.