It’s now time for Microsoft’s annual developer conference Build 2018, with the company announcing its latest developments. The keynote today has just revealed the first virtual reality (VR) and mixed reality (MR) news with the company revealing a new tool called Microsoft Layout.
Microsoft Layout is a tool for MR developers using HoloLens to design spaces for clients, no matter what business they’re involved in. Whether that’s a simple office design or for industrial customers looking to fit new equipment, Microsoft Layout enables a 3D object to be placed anywhere a client needs in real-time and a real-world setting.
Once a developer has created a model they can share it and edit at the same time a customer is viewing it, helping streamline the entire process, savign time and cash.
“With Microsoft Layout our goal was to build an app that would help people use HoloLens to bring designs from concept to completion using some of the superpowers mixed reality makes possible,” said Lorraine Bardeen / General Manager, Mixed Reality Workplace, on the Microsoft blog.
“Over the past several months, our team has been working hard to develop and deliver applications that will empower Firstline Workers to achieve more. It’s my privilege on behalf of everyone on our team to introduce you to Microsoft Remote Assist and Microsoft Layout, coming as a limited-time free preview for existing HoloLens customers starting May 22,” adds Bardeen.
In addition to the MR benefits Microsoft Layout also works in VR. HoloLens is a fairly expensive piece of equipment retailing for $3,000 USD so not everyone may have access to it. VR headsets like Windows Mixed Reality are far cheaper and cost effective, so even if a developer has created a model to be viewed as a hologram using HoloLens, customers with VR devices will still be able to view the design.
VRFocus will continue its coverage of Build 2018, reporting back with the latest updates.
via Mint VR