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Unity Reflect Review adds annotations and improved visual fidelity

July 15, 2021 in Engine & platform | 5 min. read
Screenshot of new annotation capabilities in reflect review demonstrated with a multi-level 3d building model
Screenshot of new annotation capabilities in reflect review demonstrated with a multi-level 3d building model
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The latest Unity Reflect Review update addresses customers’ most commonly requested features – annotations and visual fidelity – to improve collaboration and communication during design reviews.

In April, Unity Reflect evolved from a single product to a suite of purpose-built applications geared towards distinct use cases – Unity Reflect Develop for custom applications and the out-of-the-box Unity Reflect Review for design reviews.

Unity Reflect Review has been helping companies like P+HS Architects, an award-winning architectural practice in the UK, manipulate 3D forms in a real-time setting to conduct design reviews more efficiently than ever. To help our customers collaborate and communicate even further, Unity Reflect Review now offers annotations and improved fidelity, including more physics-based lighting contrast options powered by Unity’s High Definition Render Pipeline (HDRP). The heightened visual quality gives users a better sense of the architectural space and ultimately helps drive alignment among collaborators during the design review process.

Get everyone on the same page

The design review process requires communication and collaboration to ensure all users understand the design and issues, and to avoid costly mistakes. Traditional visualizations offer only fixed camera views, which limits the interactivity required to achieve the right context to visualize a design and the ability to get feedback from all stakeholders and occupants.

With Unity Reflect Review, you can collaborate with up to 25 users in a single project at the same time. You can use voice chat to communicate with stakeholders and see what objects and BIM data everyone is selecting, as each user is identified by a unique color.  

Annotations

Gif of adding annotations in Reflect Review

Accountability is key during the review process. When collaborators note required changes, designers need to make sure they follow up on those comments. Annotations enable stakeholders to append comments throughout the 3D model in Unity Reflect Review. Users can click on the comments to be teleported to the exact location within the model to view the annotation within the visual context of the reviewer. Users also have the option to comment on specific objects and BIM data. 

Since the annotation captures the camera view in which it was created, this tool is great for establishing a guided tour and can focus the meeting on particular areas of the model that need feedback.  

Follow mode

Gif of follow mode in reflect review showing how users can guide fellow viewers through a 3D model

Users can see where other people are in the model at any time. With “follow mode,” you can click on the user’s icon in the top right corner to switch to their camera view and see what they’re seeing in real-time. In this way, a designer can effectively drive reviews with users who are unfamiliar with navigating a 3D model.

Share links

A gif of how to share viewpoints with fellow viewers through reflect review

Within minutes, anyone can create and send a URL to share a project with stakeholders and collaborators, to easily conduct immersive design reviews. Users can send links through any messaging platform (text, email, Slack, etc.), and set them to public or private, restricting access to specific people.

Amped-up visuals with HDRP

Video showing the realistic models that can be created with reflect review due to HDRP

Unity Reflect Review now supports HDRP for improved visual quality with polished physics-based lighting and shadows.

HDRP requires better hardware to make sure navigation is smooth. It works only on PC, and we recommend the latest-generation Nvidia or AMD graphics cards for optimal performance. For devices such as ultrabooks, phones, and tablets, users can still enjoy all the benefits of Unity Reflect Review and Unity Reflect Collaborate with a lightweight version of the app.

Model optimization, powered by Pixyz

With our recent acquisition of Pixyz, best-in-class provider of 3D data preparation and optimization software, Unity Reflect Review can now leverage Pixyz technology to improve the model performance without any additional steps. This new update ensures all models are automatically optimized to improve performance and load times. No action required, and no additional license needed.

Unity Reflect Review is available to try or buy today.

Join our Unity for AEC forum to get product support, troubleshoot problems, share projects and feedback, and discuss Unity for AEC.

July 15, 2021 in Engine & platform | 5 min. read

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