Panorama Rendering for Google Cardboard VR in Revit

From TOI-Pedia
Google Cardboard VR

Introduction

This article shows how you can generate Panorama VR images from Revit that can be viewed in a Google Cardboard or compatible device. Google Cardboard is an inexpensive way to experience Virtual Reality using cheap cardboard 'goggles' and your own smartphone device.

This offers a great and inexpensive opportunity to check your design in an early stage of the process. No need to print or use expensive hardware.

Requirements


Make sure you are Signed in to Autodesk 360 in in Revit. Students can use the same account as you used to download Revit from the Autodesk Educational website. You can Sign In using the option in the InfoCenter:

Revit InfoCenter Sign In.png

When you are Signed in, it should display your Autodesk 360 username:

Revit InfoCenter Signed In.png


3D view in Revit

Place a 3D camera in your project. Open the Floor Plan view of the floor you want to make your VR panorama from.

  • In the Ribbon, open the View tab. In the Create panel, click the arrow under Revit 2011 Create 3D View.png (3D View) and click Revit 2013 Camera button.png (Camera).
  • Click at the position where you want to create a panorama to place the camera.
  • Click to place the camera target point. The direction actually doesn't matter that much. Make sure the target is at a sufficient distance.
  • Select the newly created 3D View. In the Properties Panel, make sure that the Eye Elevation and Target Elevation are set correctly. When in doubt, use an Elevation or Section view to the determine the correct height. They should be about 1700mm above the level (eye height). So add 1700 to the height of the level to get the correct Eye and Target Elevation. Change if necessary.


Rendering a Panorama

To render a Panorama from Revit, you need to use Cloud Render. You cannot render a Google Cardboard VR render (Stereo Panorama) directly from Revit, so first we're we go to the cloud renderer:

  • Open your 3D View
  • In the Ribbon, on the View Tab, click the Revit Render in Cloud.png Render in Cloud button.
  • Click Continue.
    Revit 2015 Cloud Render Welcome.png
  • Check the appropriate 3D View for your project. We have named our View Panorama_firstFloor in this example.
    File:Revit render stereo pano.png
  • Set the Output Type to Stereo Panorama

You can change the Render Quality from Standard to Final for better quality. This will require more credits and might take longer.

The Image Size should be at least around 2 Mega Pixel. If you have a phone with very high resolution screen, you could increase this further, but there's no point in rendering more pixels than your phone can actually display.


Rendering will take a while. If you've checked the option, you'll receive an email when it's finished. You can check the progress and results on:

rendering.360.autodesk.com

Autodesk 360 Rendering overview.png



Viewing your Panorama

You can view your panorama with the Autodesk webbased viewer.

Webbased viewer

This requires a phone and web browser that support webGL.

  • Click your rendering in Autodesk 360.
  • Below the image, check Preview on your Phone
    Autodesk 360 panorama url.png
  • A URL is generated. Copy the URL and send it to your phone.


Opening the URL on your phone should bring up your panorama.

You can share this URL with anyone. They do not need to be signed in to be able to view it.


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