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
| Feb 16, 2012
Gain greater agility and profitability with ArchiCAD BIM software
White paper was written with the sole purpose of providing accurate, reliable information about critical issues related to BIM and what ArchiCAD with advanced technology such as the GRAPHISOFT BIM Server provide as an answer to address these issues.
| Feb 1, 2012
‘Augmented reality’ comes to the job site
A new software tool derived from virtual reality is helping Building Teams use the power of BIM models more effectively.
| Jan 3, 2012
BIM: not just for new buildings
Ohio State University Medical Center is converting 55 Medical Center buildings from AutoCAD to BIM to improve quality and speed of decision making related to facility use, renovations, maintenance, and more.
| Dec 29, 2011
GreenWizard offers cloud-based LEED credit management, assessment
The company recently began offering companies the ability to run assessments for design credits, in addition to traditional product-specific LEED credits.
| Dec 27, 2011
Clayco awarded expansion of Washington University Data Center in St. Louis
Once completed, the new building addition will double the size of the data center which houses sophisticated computer networks that store massive amounts of genomic data used to identify the genetic origins of cancer and other diseases.
| Dec 27, 2011
State of the data center 2011
Advances in technology, an increased reliance on the Internet and social media as well as an increased focus on energy management initiatives have had a significant impact on the data center world.
| Dec 14, 2011
Belfer Research Building tops out in New York
Hundreds of construction trades people celebrate reaching the top of concrete structure for facility that will accelerate treatments and cures at world-renowned institution.
| Dec 10, 2011
10 Great Solutions
The editors of Building Design+Construction present 10 “Great Solutions” that highlight innovative technology and products that can be used to address some of the many problems Building Teams face in their day-to-day work. Readers are encouraged to submit entries for Great Solutions; if we use yours, you’ll receive a $25 gift certificate. Look for more Great Solutions in 2012 at: www.bdcnetwork.com/greatsolutions/2012.
