The demand for location-based entertainment (LBE) in venues like theme parks, museums, and interactive exhibits is rising, and with it, the need for increasingly intricate attraction design.
Managing the extensive amounts of 3D data required for these complex projects can be challenging, especially without a cohesive platform that supports real-time design visualization and seamless asset management. This lack of efficient tools can hinder collaboration between creative and technical teams, slowing down project timelines and increasing costs.
To address these challenges, Worldbuildr, a technology solutions provider specializing in digital twins for the LBE industry, partnered with FrankNDesign, a creative firm specializing in theme park design. Together, they leveraged Unity’s real-time 3D technology and digital asset management (DAM) solutions to develop an application that facilitates improved visualization of architectural 3D model formats within an immersive 3D collaborative environment while securely handling the management of all project assets.
Results of Worldbuildr’s application
Read on to learn how Worldbuildr used Unity’s tools to build an application that overcomes the challenges of real-time 3D visualization and asset management for better collaboration.
Traditional 3D modeling tools (such as Revit) are highly effective for producing detailed blueprints of complex structures like stadiums, cathedrals, and skyscrapers. However, they lack interactive and dynamic features, which restrict real-time visualization and interaction, creating limitations for collaborative design processes.
Challenges of conventional 3D modeling tools
The solution to these challenges is to import the models into a real-time 3D engine, where they can be used in interactive environments. This process, however, comes with its own set of technical challenges.
With input from FrankNDesign, Worldbuildr leveraged Unity to develop an intuitive collaborative application that simplifies the technical challenges of preparing 3D models for real-time 3D use and enhances asset management across multiple projects. This results in better stakeholder collaboration, enabling faster and more informed decision-making.
How it works
The Worldbuildr Digital Twin application supports the seamless import of architectural 3D models into immersive, real-time 3D environments – regardless of their complexity.
Users can drag and drop models into the application. Within 15 to 20 minutes, those models will be optimized and prepared for real-time 3D visualization. They are then uploaded to a cloud repository, facilitating easy asset discovery, management, and storage.
Worldbuildr also incorporated real-world simulations, like crowd flow, guest movement, lighting changes, and media projections, into their application. This enhanced level of interaction supports the validation of financial projects by simulating ticket sales, guest engagement, and operational costs.
While developing a new product is challenging every step of the way, Unity’s foundational flexibility and resources made it easier for Worldbuildr to navigate the conceptualization and development of their application.
Unity Asset Manager was instrumental in Worldbuildr’s development process, offering a centralized, intuitive system for uploading, managing, and integrating assets.
By eliminating data silos and centralizing asset storage, Unity Asset Manager improves workflow efficiency and consistency across development teams. Key features that Worldbuildr used in their application include:
Using Unity Asset Manager as the back-end DAM for their application allows Worldbuildr to optimize each uploaded asset systematically, converting it to formats ready for real-time 3D use across various devices.
Users, technical or non-technical, can upload and optimize their models straight from Revit, and as assets are added, categorized, and managed in the application, Asset Manager makes them readily accessible for collaborative workflows.
Choosing Unity was a strategic decision for the Worldbuildr team, not a matter of personal preference. Early on, the team evaluated multiple engines, but Unity’s broad platform support enabled the deployment of the Worldbuildr application across a wide range of devices, from high-end workstations to mobile devices with minimal graphic capabilities.
The assurance that users working on the same project can access the same scene and assets, regardless of the device they’re using, sets Unity apart as the ideal choice for Worldbuildr’s expansive, multiplatform needs.
With a fully remote development team, Unity Version Control has been key for the Worldbuildr team to efficiently manage and collaborate on code for their application. Unity Version Control directly integrates with the Unity Editor and enables version tracking, branching, and the merging of project files, ensuring smooth collaboration between team members working on different aspects of the application.
Worldbuildr’s roadmap includes adding new features and capabilities, like expanded asset pipelines, advanced interactivity, and enhanced real-time simulation functions, all aimed at making it easier than ever for creative and technical teams to collaborate and realize their visions.
Future developments will continue to leverage Unity and upcoming Asset Manager features. By adopting Unity’s real-time 3D and asset management solutions, Worldbuildr is positioned to meet the evolving needs of the LBE industry.
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