MakeVR Brings Advanced Design, Modeling And 3D Printing To Virtual Reality

SAN FRANCISCO, March 27, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- Vive Studios™, the virtual reality (VR) content development and publishing initiative from HTC VIVE™, and Sixense, a global leader in motion tracking and VR content, today launched MakeVR. Developed by Sixense, MakeVR is an industry standard professional CAD engine that brings advanced 3D object modeling to VR. With an intuitive interface based on natural two-handed motions, the app uses Vive's room-scale VR to give creators an immersive virtual space to explore and design objects like never before. MakeVR also bridges the gap between virtual and real workshop with direct export of standard object files for 3D printing.

The version of MakeVR launching today is introducing a highly advanced free-form modeling tool in VR for designers and makers. Vive Studios and Sixense are planning to release MakeVR Pro later this year, adding precision tools as well as features based on user feedback. MakeVR is now available and premiering on Viveport (www.viveport.com) for $19.99.

"MakeVR is a first-of-its-kind advanced creativity app for VR," said Joel Breton, Head of Vive Studios. "We recognize how the intuitive and immersive environment of VR will revolutionize digital modeling. We worked with Sixense to create MakeVR as an accessible yet advanced creativity app for Vive where room-scale VR gives creators a virtual workshop, and the use of natural physical motions brings unprecedented expressiveness and intuitiveness to object design."

"MakeVR on the Vive allows anyone to create 3D content as fast as they can think it up, then turn their virtual creations into physical objects with direct-to-3D printing," said Amir Rubin, Co-founder and CEO of Sixense. "Our partnership with Vive Studios in developing MakeVR and introducing a new kind of advanced creativity app using the immersion of VR is a win for makers, designers and the 3D printing ecosystem."

MakeVR is designed for users of all ages and skill levels with a low learning curve and intuitive two-handed 3D multi-touch interface. The app allows users to easily and naturally interact with 3D geometry to quickly create whatever they can imagine. All object and viewpoint manipulations in MakeVR are natural and one-to-one; users control how and where they move through the virtual world with simple physical movements and gestures. Scaling in MakeVR is a powerful feature because it allows users to position themselves anywhere in the environment at whatever scale best suits the current task so they are always working in their comfort zone.

Experienced makers and modelers can harness the efficiency of MakeVR's 3D multi-touch interface to explore and create objects in ways that are more powerful and expressive than using traditional mouse and keyboard or touch on a flat screen. Users can export object files in standard formats compatible with other 3D modeling software or send them directly for 3D printing from within VR. MakeVR also has direct links from within the app to Shapeways (www.shapeways.com), the online 3D printing service.

"Shapeways is excited about the launch of MakeVR because it will help lower the barrier of entry for people to try their hand at 3D design," said Pete Weijmarshausen, CEO of Shapeways. "With cutting-edge tools like MakeVR, it becomes more intuitive and perhaps fun for people to express what they want through 3D modeling, and we're incredibly proud to connect MakeVR to our platform and enable the creative process with Shapeways' services."

MakeVR received the Computer Bild "Best Product: Innovation" award at the 2017 Mobile World Conference (MWC). For more information on MakeVR visit www.ViveForMakers.com.

For press only, assets including a video trailer, key art, logos and screenshots are located at https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/0B0Sk7T1AwsQqa2cxTTdja2xrS0k?usp=sharing.

About HTC VIVE™
VIVE is a first-of-its-kind virtual reality platform developed by HTC and Valve for total immersion in virtual worlds. Designed from the ground up for room-scale VR and true-to-life interactions, VIVE delivers on the promise of VR with game-changing technology and best-in-class content. VIVE has been recognized with over 65 awards and wide critical acclaim since its unveiling in 2015. For more information, visit www.VIVE.com.

About Sixense
Sixense Entertainment, Inc. is a privately held company focused on delivering natural and intuitive experiences in virtual reality, augmented reality and other immersive media. The company's VR/AR platform includes motion tracking technology, software and content for mobile, desktop, and console systems. Sixense works with a wide range of partners from startups to multinational corporations to develop and commercialize products in markets that include entertainment, training, healthcare, 3D modelling, v-commerce and others. For more information, please visit: http://sixense.com

About Shapeways:
Shapeways (www.shapeways.com) is a creative community of makers, designers, and entrepreneurs using digital manufacturing (3D printing) to bring their ideas to the physical world. Designers can use Shapeways to manufacture products with complex designs in over 58 different high-quality materials and finishes—enabling people to expand their limits as designers and makers. The Shapeways Marketplace allows our creative community to explore entrepreneurship and inspire others to do the same. It's also a treasure trove for discerning shoppers that value supporting independent designers. Come explore the whole new world of creativity enabled by the digital manufacturing era. Shaping the future in infinite ways. Or as we like to say around here, Shapeways.

HTC, the HTC logo are the trademarks of HTC Corporation. All other names of companies and products mentioned herein may be the trademarks of their respective owners.

SOURCE Viveport

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