Google has unveiled its new 3D-modelling tool ‘Blocks to simplify the process to create compelling virtual reality (VR) and augmented reality (AR) experiences.
The new tool, developed for HTC Vive and the Oculus Rift headsets, works by allowing users to create a 3D object on a virtual 3D canvass.
According to a report in Verge, Blocks is the latest of several design tools that work inside VR. It’s similar to Oculus’ sculpting app Medium, and complementary to Google’s popular Tilt Brush 3D painting tool.
However, the art style looks very different. While Tilt Brush gives the illusion of sculpting with light and paint, Blocks seems to fit best with the colorful low-poly art style that Google uses in its Daydream VR interface, reports Verge.
"Current software requires building 3D objects on a 2D screen which is something our brains aren't wired to do. It occurred to us that creating the objects while in virtual reality could make this easier," said Jason Toff, Group Product Manager at Google, in a blog post on Thursday.
‘Blocks' is designed in a way that anyone without any prior modelling experience can use and "feel more like playing with children's blocks than working with traditional 3D modeling software".
Starting with a simple set of shapes, a colour palette and an intuitive set of tools, a user would be able to quickly create almost anything he/she can imagine -- from a piece of watermelon to a whole forest scene.
The app is available for free on the Oculus Store and on the Steam platform.
Unfortunately for Google Daydream users, Blocks is now limited only to high-end headsets. The kinds which have sophisticated hand controls and let you walk around creations. But with Google pushing all-in-one Daydream headsets that could match the Rift and Vive’s feature set that may soon change.
(With IANS inputs)