Building and creating using tools and machines such as 3D printers and laser cutters can be a valuable learning experience, but also is expensive and takes up a great deal of space. A virtual reality (VR) application can allow for some of the same experiences without the cost, with School Fab Lab VR.
School Fab Lab VR has been created in attempt to give everyone the chance to experience a digital fabrication laboratory using VR.
The software recreates an environment containing several workstations that allow users to interact with maker machines to learn how they are used and what is possible to create by using them. For people and institutions who wish to build their own makerspace, it allows users to understand the size of the machines, how big a space would be needed and what the best layout would be.
Using School Fab Lab VR users can use 3D printers, laser cutters, vinyl cutters and CNC milling machines to create virtual objects from various materials. They can then pick up and examine the objects created to better understand the creation process.
Certain pre-selected objects can be brought into the VR space, and the lab layouts can all be customised. The 3D printers can be disassembled and re-assembled for a more complete understanding of how they function. Users can also practice how to to fly a drone with a VR flight simulation using a first-person view.
The experience was created for schools and educational intuitions, allowing students to learn about the digital fabrication without need for the physical machines. With 3D printing becoming increasingly common, this can be considered a valuable skills to acquire early.
School Fab Lab VR is available on Steam for HTC Vive and is priced at £32.99 (GBP). Further information can be found on the Steam store page.
For future coverage of new and upcoming VR titles, keep checking back with VRFocus.
via Mint VR