Forge AR|VR Toolkit beta program

It's a real pleasure to announce the registration and approval for the
"Forge AR | VR Toolkit" beta developer program.

Forge is a set of Autodesk APIs and services for software developers to build innovative cloud-powered apps.

 

Augmented reality (AR) is an enhanced version of reality created by the use of technology to overlay digital information on an image of something being viewed through a device such as a camera on a smartphone. On the other hand, Virtual Reality (VR) is an artificial world consisting of images and sounds created by a computer that is affected by the actions of a person experiencing it. Most first-person video games are examples of virtual reality and typically require special hardware like a headset or holder for a smartphone. So unlike augmented reality, in virtual reality, everything is virtual instead of real.

Autodesk Forge is a collection of Application Program Interfaces (APIs) that we use to develop our own web services. As part of our Forge efforts, we share those APIs (including documentation and code samples) with customers and 3rd-party developers (the Forge community) that want to leverage years' worth of legacy and current data associated with projects.

Autodesk Forge connects development, design and engineering through cloud-powered services that enable collaboration, visualization and workflows. These services are then made accessible through application programming interfaces (APIs), where they can be provisioned and taken advantage of directly from a developed cloud application.
 

The latest enhancements to the Forge platform include a viewer, authentication tools and a host of new APIs, including data management, reality capture and 3D Print. The new viewer is capable of displaying 2D and 3D models from over 50 different file formats, and the updates to the authentication in Forge bring a consistent authentication and authorization functionality across the environment.

 Autodesk Forge

https://forge.autodesk.com/

Autodesk Forge Developer Platform

https://developer.autodesk.com/

Forge Platform

https://github.com/Autodesk-Forge

Forge RCDB (Responsive Connected Database)

https://forge-rcdb.autodesk.io/

https://github.com/Autodesk-Forge/forge-rcdb.nodejs

Autodesk Forge viewer

https://developer.autodesk.com/en/docs/viewer/v2/overview/

Autodesk Forge examples

https://viewer-rocks.autodesk.io/

https://forge-rcdb.autodesk.io/configurator?id=58c7ae474c6d400bfa5aaf37

+Info: Forge DevCon 2017

https://forge.autodesk.com/devcon-2017

Standalone Headset

BOBOVR X1 AIO

We are very happy and excited today, as we join the new age of "Standalone Headsets" (All in One).
This VR Headset doesn't require PC nor Smartphone. With this new hardware upgrade we are part of the experimental cutting edge technology in order to being able to extend our offer for Virtual Reality developments.

+Info: http://www.bobovr.com/product/x1/

TECHNICAL SPECS:

   CPU: H8 Octa-Core ARM Cortex A7

   ARM Cortex-A7 MPCore: https://www.arm.com/products/processors/cortex-a

   http://infocenter.arm.com/help/topic/com.arm.doc.ddi0464d/DDI0464D_cortex_a7_mpcore_r0p3_trm.pdf

   https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/ARM_Cortex-A7

   GPU: PowerVR SGX544
   https://www.imgtec.com/powervr/
   https://www.imgtec.com/powervr/graphics/
   https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/PowerVR

   OS: Nibiru VR/AR
   http://www.inibiru.com/en/
   http://dev.inibiru.com/download_en.jsp
   http://vr.inibiru.com/nibiruVR/en/index_en.jsp
 

REVIEWS:

Immerse Yourself with BOBOVR X1
https://thevrking.com/bobovr-x1/

BOBOVR X1 AIO VR Headset: Virtual Reality Made Cheap?
http://atgizmos.com/bobovr-x1-aio/

PHOTO REFERENCE:

More photos: https://flic.kr/s/aHsm4Ausxg

HTC Vive Tracker

HTC Vive Tracker

VIVE Tracker brings any real-world object into your virtual world. 

As developers, with this upgrade we can incorporate cameras into our scenarios and thus offer Mixed Reality, Green Screen Post-Production options, as well as several other possibilities offered by this new device for our work.

This allows us to provide our partners and clients the highest technology available in the market for the development of Virtual Reality simulations.

+Info: https://www.vive.com/us/vive-tracker/

https://www.vive.com/ca/vive-tracker-for-developer/

PHOTO REFERENCE:

More photos: https://flic.kr/s/aHsm55HiBu

Virtual Reality resources

VIRTUAL REALITY RESOURCES 
(Updated July 2017)

Featuring new sections for "Pro Tutorials" (UE4, Unity), as well as a lot of new links in all sections.
Be welcome to subscribe and stay updated or contribute with any related links.

+Info: https://virtual-reality.zeef.com/marco.romero

Chromakey Background

Getting ready for new video recordings on
"Chromakey Green Screen Background" for VR simulations.

Photo-Reference: https://flic.kr/s/aHsm4s7hLi

Vive Deluxe Audio Strap

After a huge delay regarding the gigantic customs problem that Venezuela is facing right now (among political, economic, and many other problems) fortunately the new hardware update has arrived, which I have been waiting for continue with my work. The "Vive Deluxe Audio Strap" is ergonomic support that surpasses the original version (which did not include audio), which offers great comfort for VR testing. This new rigid support is a huge improvement since it contributes to the counterweight of the headset, making it much easier to put it on and take it off, that repeatedly was a really exhausting task.

+Info: 

USA: https://www.vive.com/us/vive-deluxe-audio-strap/

Amazon USA: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B06Y2GDXMC/

Microsoft USA: https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/store/d/htc-vive-deluxe-audio-strap/8wz5cwh91s0q

EUROPE: https://www.vive.com/eu/vive-deluxe-audio-strap/

AUSTRALIA: https://www.vive.com/au/vive-deluxe-audio-strap/ 

Photo Reference:

More Photos: https://flic.kr/s/aHsm3TEmCv

July 2017

Samsung Gear VR Controller

It's hard to objectively explain how excited to feel about being able to access VR content designed for Smartphones, and to be able to feel, visualize and interact with it as if were content designed for High-end Computer + HMD; this and more offers the new Gear VR control, making primitive the traditional selection method. This is a huge step towards in user comfort since it involves to forget the selection methods directly from the headset, so having to execute tasks that are supposed to be simple (like typing) and had become a headache (specifically neck-pain). The GearVR Controller operation remembers HTC Vive control systems, and its use is much more simplified, which means that from now on it is possible to develop interactive content much more efficient, and to be able to offer a more comfortable user experience.

Honestly I think that the new Gear VR controller offers the perfect complement to any interactive experience for Virtual Reality, and also its smartphone link and operation is very simple which facilitates access to any type of user; but I'm sure that it will not replace the traditional game controllers (like "Stratus XL") whose design, use and function are widespread in the video game market and the younger population. From the VR developer point of view, this new control means a huge step forward to the Gear VR as a system, and facilitates the possibility to make developments for both High-end and Phone-based systems, which means a priceless contribution in this uncharted territory.

+Info: 

http://www.samsung.com/global/galaxy/gear-vr/

http://www.samsung.com/us/mobile/virtual-reality/gear-vr/vr-controller-et-yo324bbegus/

Photo Reference:

More photos: https://flic.kr/s/aHskXopDUB

Reviews:

Samsung Gear Finally Gets a Controller for Awesomer VR

https://www.wired.com/2017/02/samsung-gear-finally-gets-controller-awesomer-vr/

Oculus launches social VR hangout “Rooms” and phone calls

https://techcrunch.com/2016/12/16/facebook-social-vr-rooms/

Oculus Home update on Samsung Gear VR adds custom Avatars, web browser

http://mashable.com/2017/03/29/oculus-home-update-gear-vr/

Samsung Gear VR and Controller are made for each other in the best possible way

http://mashable.com/2017/04/18/samsung-gear-vr-headset-and-controller-review/

Samsung Gear VR (2017) review

http://www.androidauthority.com/samsung-gear-vr-2017-review-764883/

Samsung's new Gear VR controller looks like just the thing Gear needs (hands-on) 

https://www.cnet.com/products/samsung-gear-vr-controller/preview/

The Gear VR’s new controller is a big step forward — but where is the headset going?

https://www.theverge.com/2017/4/18/15331602/samsung-oculus-gear-vr-motion-controller-review

Samsung Gear VR (2017) review

https://www.cnet.com/products/samsung-gear-vr-2017/review/

A first look at Gear VR's motion controller

https://www.engadget.com/2017/02/27/gear-vr-controller-first-look/

Samsung's Gear VR controller makes mobile VR more immersive

https://www.engadget.com/2017/04/18/samsung-gear-vr-controller-review/

June 09/06/2017

Cold-Cathode Lighting

After some previous experiences with LED lights on my desktop computer (which unfortunately didn't last long), I decided to go a bit further in the search for a more attractive aesthetic for my case Cooler Master Cosmos SE without having to intervene too much, nor that implies a greater effort to modify the original design.

After make the respective research, I found some pretty interesting models, ranging from Sound Activated lighting systems, others that emit UV light, to another very attractive called "Liquid Neon" like the Plasma lamps using technology discovered by Nikola Tesla.

In my particular case I decided to try this type of lighting to appreciate the kind of light wavelength of these cathodes (and I chose the basic model that had the most positive reviews), so I installed a brand LOGISYS Computer, Model CLK15BL 15" which I found quite cheaper.

I honestly "fell in love" with this kind of light, since it is not too strong to disturb sight or weak enough not to be seen; and so far I can recommend its use widely, since it's a type of light that does not generate much heat inside the case, can be easily installed, and offers a really attractive aesthetic.

More Photos: https://flic.kr/s/aHsm1f7xxj