Development is part of a renewed effort by Unity to increase presence in AEC sector
Unity Technologies has teamed up with PiXYZ to create a plug-in that allows IFC BIM files to be imported into Unity’s real-time 3D engine. The bridge allows users to harness the power of BIM metadata, and optimise and create real-time renderings of CAD models using numerous Unity features.
Unity has published a blog post that shows the workflow from Autodesk Revit (also seen in the video below), but IFC data can be imported from any program that supports the neutral BIM format, such as Tekla Structures, ArchiCAD and AutoCAD Civil 3D.
This isn’t the only way to bring IFC data into Unity. Last year Tridify launched a cloud service that uses IFC files to create optimised models, complete with BIM data, for real time viz, VR and AR applications.
Unity is also working with Autodesk on new technology that will allows users to import Revit data directly into Unity. You can read more about the collaboration between Autodesk and Unity in this AEC Magazine article.
Unity is not the only firm looking to solve the workflow challenges of bringing design data into a ‘game engine’ environment. Last year Epic Games announced support for Revit to streamline the transfer of BIM data into Unreal Engine. However, with Revit known for being notoriously hard to develop for, Unity will look to use its Autodesk partnership to its advantage as both ‘game engine’ developers look to increase penetration in the AEC sector.
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