BIMx on Apple Vision Pro - Feedback Wanted

[Szabolcs Kari]

Welcome! We're excited to hear your ideas, feedback, and thoughts about BIMx - the BIM experience on Apple Vision Pro. Your insights mean the world to us! Don't worry, we're officially keeping an eye on this space to make sure your voices are heard. Jump into the conversation and let's work together to shape the future of BIMx on Apple Vision Pro!
 
Download BIMx to visionOS today!

Release article here! 

[architecturegeek]

One argument for supporting the Quest platform; as with the AVP it's an all-in-one device and it's also very cheap, cheap enough that we could buy one for every client if needed. Right now, it's much more likely that we would have clients that already own a quest 2 or 3 and telling them they can open bimx on that in addition to their phone does have some appeal. Given the cost of the AVP we aren't expecting the device to be ubiquitous any time soon so we're looking at it as primarily a presentation device we bring to meetings and as a result are looking for a level of presentation polish.

Regardless, I think both the quest and AVP need to be regarded as something different by Graphisoft than they currently are. Regular users of those devices are going to expect a lot more than the current phone/tablet app converted to that space, these are immersion devices and the development path should consider the standards of those device applications. It's great to use the path Apple gave to translate an iOS app to VisionOS as a stopgap but there needs to be a vision or roadmap to move beyond that if this is going to be something we actually incorporate into our work. Fingers crossed that GS will continue support this team!

[Szabolcs Kari]

Hi Rex,

We also see the need for mixed immersion mode to include more use cases, though those previously mentioned obstacles are still there, outside of our control and influence. As I mentioned earlier, as soon as these blockades got cleared, we'll jump on the mixed immersion developments for sure.

Also, thank you for sharing your way of getting into the AR space with the community. I'm sure it brings great value for everyone in the same shoes.

Cheers,
Szabolcs

[Szabolcs Kari]

Dear architecturegeek,

Thank you for your extensive feedback about BIMx on Apple Vision Pro, as well with your contact details. This is really valuable for us. 
We'll keep in touch.
Cheers,
Szabolcs

[Rex Maximilian]

I've already abandoned BIMx on the AVP. Initially it seemed cool, but then it essentially offered nothing more than using it on an iPad could offer. I am currently doing what you are as well. Saving out FBX, converting to USDZ (although having issues with textures applying) and bringing into a mixed reality environment with the native VisionOS ability.

[architecturegeek]

Yeah that feels like the best practice at the moment for Mixed Reality presentations but the real power of a headset over the years has been the ability to put the client in the space at real scale. If a counter felt too tall with the HTC Vive on then it probably was too tall, etc. 

Technically we can do that with BIMx but because it's not using the headsets built-in distance to floor value, and allowing the FOV to be overridden it's not trustworthy at all on that front, combine that with the ability to get better graphics elsewhere and *shrug*. 

It's early yet, I'm holding out hope this will develop even if it's on a Quest instead.  

[architecturegeek]

I'll test again but as of last week I was still getting the bug where I couldn't back out of immersive mode (clicking the X does nothing but remove the X icon). I think it's simply following the way the app works on iOS in google cardboard mode but of course on this sort of headset we need a way to get out of that view and back to the menu without quitting out of the app and restarting it. 

[Roland Szabo]

Hi, thanks for the feedback. We know about this bug that occurred with a visionOS update. We plan to correct it with the next update (which will also include additional features). Returning to the home screen and reopening BIMx is an easy workaround until then.

[Graham Whipple]

It would be nice to have an optional way to pick and rotate the model around a fixed position. There are times when the environment may have some spatial limitations and retaining a limited rotation range is helpful.

I do like the "real world" function, but would welcome an option to drag the scene around as a reorienting option. 

[Graham Whipple]

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Eye height should be coming from device to floor height not an app setting. That not being accurate to each users eye breaks some of the value in VR which allows folks to make informed decisions on the heights of counters, ceilings, etc. This is as important as fixing the system for movement. 

One consistent bug: Clicking "x" in immersive mode just removes the x it does not drop back to the menu of drawings, etc. 

I 100% agree on the eye height comment. As a tall individual there were some limitations of how to experience models. If this is "real world" immersion with the rotation it should also recognize the height of the Apple Vision Pro headset. I should be able to crouch down and crawl into a space or lower my head a few inches and still walk under a low object if it is modeled physically at the correct height.

[PegArch]

We use BIMx A LOT in our practice.  Clients ask us all the time if they can view their models on their Meta Quest headsets.  Please incorporate the BIMx app into the Meta Quest environment!