ATLANTA, Dec. 12, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- The latest video games feature gorgeous graphics and blazing fast speeds but architectural design software is painfully slow to navigate and even slower to render. Why the difference – especially since architects and game designers both create virtual worlds?
VIMtrek is answering that question by bridging the gap between gaming software and architectural rendering programs. Using the backbone of cutting-edge game engine technology, the VIMtrek Producer application is able to rapidly convert Autodesk Revit® designs into immersive, beautifully rendered, and interactive environments, and then share these locally or over the Internet.
"This is what we are calling 'where sense meets sizzle,'" said Nicholas Jeffery, COO of VIMtrek. "The ability to see realistic rendered buildings is nothing new, but to be able to see them in a truly immersive, freely navigable gaming environment with all the augmented data attached to all the objects and the collaboration features, such as VIMnotes—it will blow you away."
Though current architecture, engineering and construction (AEC) industry standard rendering programs are able to convert design drafts into photorealistic visuals, the renderings are static, take hours to complete, and require a high degree of expertise and computing power. VIMtrek requires little or no technical training, no massive computing power, and renders designs in a matter of minutes. If you can find the up, down, left, and right keys on the keyboard, you can immediately navigate and collaborate within the virtual building, in real time.
"Visual rendering is an important functionin the design process, but because of limitations on budgets and schedules, it is simply not reasonable to stop and render projects when we want to review or discuss a change," said Rodney Mims Cook of PolitesCookArchitects. "VIMtrek will change the use of 3-D technology and make it part of the daily creative process. We can design, render, change, and render again as many times as we want in an hour, let alone over the course of an entire project."
"Game engine designers have had to push the envelope to render complex scenes with millions of polygons in fractions of a second because that space alien chasing after you has to be rendered at 60 frames per second – and it has to look amazing!" said gaming industry veteran and frequent commentator on online virtual worlds, Tracy Spaight. "The majority of makers of CAD and BIM software haven't faced these sorts of demands and thus haven't looked to the gaming space for solutions. VIMtrek has successfully married the best of game engine technology and rendering programs to create a breakthrough piece of software."
The VIMtrek Producer and Viewer software is available through value-added resellers or via vimtrek.com.
Software Components
VIMtrek Producer—This key component is required to create immersive environments and convert the Revit file into the VIM (visual information model) file format.
VIMtrek Viewer—A standalone application that visualizes the results of VIMTrek Producer, where all kinds of users, from casual observers and non-design-related stakeholders to architects and their clients, can easily move within the 3-D environment and make VIMnotes or annotations for effective collaboration.
About VIMtrek Established in 2011, VIMtrek is a joint venture project between building information modeling software developer SmartBIM and Vizerra, a 3D interactive technology company specializing in developing gaming and simulation algorithms. Through rapid 3D rendering, VIMtrek software offers a new way for the AEC industry to experience sustainable building. Focused on a real-time, interactive experience and complete immersion in the building environment, VIMtrek's software enables architects, designers, and contractors to work faster, smarter, and greener.
About SmartBIM SmartBIM LLC is the leading provider of building information modeling (BIM) technology to the AEC industry. SmartBIM offers a comprehensive product modeling and model distribution system for architects and manufacturers through the Access Suite of products. In addition, SmartBIM is the only BIM technology company to provide software applications combining building product information management and building product quantification and costing capabilities for architects, engineers, owners, and builders. SmartBIM LLC is a privately held company based in Atlanta, Georgia.
About Vizerra Vizerra is the brand name and trademark of 3Dreamteam Company. Founded in Russia, the company has quickly expanded onto three continents and is taking a strong foothold in the U.S. market, where it was recently said to be in the top-70 fastest growing technology innovative companies, following the DEMO 2010 conference in Silicon Valley. Vizerra's production and development team is international, competent, and creative, with significant expertise in the gaming industry and in the development of simulators, GIS, and 3D modeling. The management team has more than 15 years of experience in global technology, finances, and marketing at world-class institutions.
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