Microsoft has announced the launch of the first commercial HoloLens app to be available in the Windows Store: SketchUp Viewer. Developed by Trimble, SketchUp Viewer is an app that allows those in the Acrchitecture, Engineering, Construction and Operations (AECO) fields to view and interact with holographic scale 3D models of building projects in mixed reality. Take a look at SketchUp Viewer in action in the introduction video below:
From Microsoft:
With this new solution, Trimble is taking 3D modeling as part of the design and construction process further and into what they call experiential review. SketchUp Viewer on HoloLens allows people to inhabit their designs in the most natural way possible – either as a holographic scale model on a tabletop, or through an immersive experience from within a digital building model. Viewing models in this way will enable designers to better understand the choices and tradeoffs in their projects, which can help shorten the cycle between design iterations. Perhaps most important, we believe experiential review will improve communication and collaboration across project stakeholders who participate in mixed reality experiences.
Since its introduction, we've seen HoloLens used in a variety of new and interesting ways, particularly in business and industry applications. SketchUp Viewer is just another example of where Microsoft's work in Windows Holographic could make a big impact, and it will be interesting to see the ways in which other industries and businesses leverage HoloLens for their benefit.
According to Microsoft some of the biggest AEC companies in the world are already using SketchUp Viewer to bring 3D architectural designs to life. For others in the industry, SketchUp Viewer is now available for purchase in the Windows Store for $1,500.
