Virtalis launches world’s first affordable VR software for CAD

Virtalis has released what it says is the first easily affordable virtual reality (VR) software. VR4CAD is aimed at CAD engineers and has been designed as the ‘Gateway to Pro VR’, software which can often cost in excess of five figures.

David Cockburn-Price, Virtalis MD, said: “VR is finally moving into the everyday within engineering. Our high-end Visionary Render software boasts a blue chip user list, but is out of the reach of most. Virtalis therefore decided to make an accessible and affordable version that will enable people to take advantage of the falling cost of VR hardware.”

Unlike games engine-based kits that require considerable knowledge to make a VR application, VR4CAD is out-of-the-box VR software.It works with a list of CAD packages including CreoView, Solidworks, Autodesk Inventor, CATIA V5, Open JT, Unigraphics NX, FBX and Collada.

Like its high-end sibling, Visionary Render, VR4CAD transforms CAD models into full 3D VR and can save viewpoints, annotations and snapshots.VR4CAD also boasts ambient occlusion and shadowing with reference objects to enhance the scene.

Steve Carpenter, Virtalis’ sales director explained: “We analysed the SME market place and realised what was stopping them benefitting from VR was the price of the software.Our blue chip clients, like Siemens, BAE Systems and Raytheon, acknowledge that our VR technology saves them money right across the product lifecycle. Now, for the first time, these advantages come within the grasp of the SME.”

Virtalis is offering all VR4CAD licences for £999 for the first year if bought before 31st December.