Working in virtual reality

But there was a worse problem. When the company trialled software that would visually detail the process in 3D, some instructions were found to be incorrect. It was a graphic illustration of how virtual reality software can eliminate mistakes and failures, as well as make complex data user-friendly.

That’s something Auckland company Right Hemisphere well knows.  It’s an elder statesman in New Zealand’s 3D visualisation industry, with blue chip customers like Boeing and Bell Helicopter using its graphics management software. Its technology is being applied to a range of sectors by Nextspace.

This company was set up with government backing to be a 3D industry catalyst, ensuring local companies and educational and research organisations benefit from Right Hemisphere’s products.

Nextspace’s CEO Gavin Lennox says Right Hemisphere’s technology is proving invaluable in maintenance of expensive industrial plants. It’s being used by heavy industry 3D specialists Revisia Ltd to create animated, 3D models of plant equipment at New Zealand Steel’s Glenbrook mill.

“Revisia’s application of the technology provides a visual record of what is involved in taking equipment apart, which speeds up the process and makes it more efficient because staff know exactly what to do. That represents savings of tens of thousands of dollars in lost production when plant is off line,” says Lennox.

Another focus for Nextspace is creating tomorrow’s 3D literate workforce. It has so far helped 10 education institutions around New Zealand integrate Right Hemisphere’s technology into their curriculum.

“We used to communicate purely in text, then it was possible to add pictures almost seamlessly. Future generations will use 3D graphics just as easily.”

Motovated Design

When Greg Morehouse, CEO of virtual prototyping company Motovated Design and Analysis, moved to Christchurch from the United States in the 1990s, he found a vibrant engineering industry based on the old fashioned approach of ‘take a guess, build a model and see if it works’.

He bought different skills having studied finite elements analysis – a simulation technique for evaluating structural performance – at university in the US. After graduating, Morehouse worked for Boeing and Hercules Aerospace, specialising in virtual prototyping and stress analysis. There was plenty of demand for his experience in New Zealand.

“Preparing 3D CAD drawings is something most engineering firms can and should do themselves, but you need an expert to do the analysis and validation. Design without analysis is like pilots without instruments – they can fly but might not know exactly where they are!