Walkinside enables building visualization. (product spotlight).(from Belgium's VRcontext)(Product Announcement)

Walkinside is a new visualization program from Belgium's VRcontext that converts complex 3D models of industrial projects--such as manufacturing facilities or off-shore oil platforms--into virtual models that users can enter. According to the company, the main difference between Walkinside and virtual reality and animation applications is first that it is designed to convert large CAD files, and second, that it uses collision detection and other proprietary technology to allow users to use or avoid objects in the visualization. VRcontext likens the interface to that of a video game--a user sees the environment through the eyes of a virtual character that can climb ladders and stairs and negotiate hallways and other objects.

Belgian chemical company BASF Antwerpen NV has been beta-testing Walkinside for use with existing 3D models of its manufacturing plants. "It's an easy-to-handle tool," says CAD system manager Peter Verhoeven. Although his company employs other model navigation programs as well, he notes, "they are more difficult to use. And they ...