Stetchfab, the online portal for 3D model and content creators to showcase their work has been a big proponent of virtual reality (VR) for a while now. Back in 2014 the company launched an app on Oculus Share for the DK1 and DK2 versions of the Oculus Rift, earlier this year the website launched a VR button for Google Cardboard, then in May a dedicated app. Today its released a new set of features to make viewing models through the web portal even easier and seamless.
The first addition is VR Browsing. When the VR Button was launched it meant viewers could view each model in VR but were unable to view the menu selection without taking off the headset. Now there’s no need to leave the VR experience to select another experience. Just use the new View in VR button to launch a VR interface for Sketchfab on any browsing section of the site.
The next feature is teleportation, something that’s been used widely across VR videogames and apps. Whilst viewing a Sketchfab scene or model users can move around almost wherever they like. It works across all the compatible head-mounted displays (HMDs), look in the required direction then tap the Cardboard or Gear VR button, or for Oculus Rift and HTC Vive use the triggers on the controller to jump to that location.
And finally for content creators uploading models onto Sketchfab there’s a new set of tools available with the VR Scene Editor. The new settings will allow artists to select the initial viewer location and viewing direction, set the human scale and adjust the floor level of a scene or model.
For further details on all of Sketchfab’s VR offerings head here. VRFocus will continue to report on all the latest updates to the service as announcements are made.
