Wrap-Up: NVIDIA Launched DesignWorks VR at SIGGRAPH 2015

Continuing on with SIGGRAPH 2015 announcements – NVIDIA unveiled DesignWorks Virtual Reality (VR) a set of APIs, libraries and features that enable VR headset and application developers to deliver high-quality VR experiences.

DesignWorks VR has components that enable VR environments like head-mounted displays (HMD), immersive VR spaces such as CAVEs and other immersive displays, and cluster solutions. It builds on NVIDIA’s existing GameWorks VR SDK for game developers, with improved support for OpenGL and features critical for professional VR applications.

VR for Product Design

At SIGGRAPH 2015, NVIDIA showed how they have made VR central to automotive development over the last few years to create vehicles. Ford’s team of globally dispersed engineers and designers work in an ultra high-definition, virtual reality space. It helps them provide simultaneous input on digital prototypes, before building physical prototypes. 

Created with Autodesk VRED 3D visualization software, Ford’s digital models run on two high end Quadro M6000 graphics cards. Automotive designers and engineers can strap on an Oculus headset and examine the entire exterior and interior of a car design.

01 – At SIGGRAPH 2015 NVIDIA featured a demonstration by the Ford Motor Company, where Ford’s designers and engineers were able to simulate the interiors and exteriors of vehicles in development within an ultra HD VR space. All rights reserved.

The interactive digital prototype lets designers drill down into the photorealistic details. So they can see how each particular element looks, such as the texture of the dashboard or upholstery. Or they can check the positioning or shape of individual design elements, such as lighting size and brightness. By using new tools within DesignWorks VR, Ford and Autodesk realized substantial performance improvements to make the demo smooth and interactive.

VR for Cinema

Visitors at NVIDIA’s booth at SIGGRAPH 2015 were able to try the latest Crescent Bay prototype headset from Oculus and step inside Thief in the Shadow.

Created by Weta Digital and Epic Games, this fully immersive experience, set in the Lord of the Rings universe, lets viewers take on the role of a hobbit prowling for treasure in a dragon’s lair. It’s a visceral experience. You’ll have to physically turn around and crane your neck to be able to take everything in. Powered by the NVIDIA Quadro M600, making it a silky smooth experience.

To learn more about DesignWorks VR and get access to the SDK, visit https://developer.nvidia.com/designworks-vr.