Virtual Reality isn’t just for gamers anymore. VR tools are about to change the way video editors and artists create.

Cover Image via Future of StoryTelling

It’s estimated that there could be 40 million VR headsets in the market by 2020. However, the content problem still remains. What are users supposed to do with a VR set?

Originally intended to be a gaming device, the VR set has evolved to become an amazing piece of tech that’s starting to be used across several industries. There are several studios producing Virtual Reality films, and now we are starting to see incredible integration with VR Tools.

Users are now using wands and physical props that translate into VR tools and objects. Let’s take a look at what they are doing with them.

Drawing in 3D



Image via Future of StoryTelling

In this video, legendary animator Glen Keane uses a wand to draw 3d animations in VR. His animation skills actually run in the family. His father was Bill Keane, creator of The Family Circus.

Glen Keane was the supervising animator of Disney classics like The Fox and the Hound, The Little Mermaid, Beauty and the Beast, Aladdin, and Pocahontas.

In this video from Future of StoryTelling, you can see Keane use Virtual Reality to draw his incredible characters in 3D space. He can move around his life-size characters in order to add depth and shading. The results are astounding.

Devices like the Tilt Brush will allow users to draw just like Keane. In fact, Tilt Brush has already been acquired by Google as part of their VR research and development. See how the team has already created stunning images, and take a look at the brushes that are currently in development.

Star Wars: Rogue One Pre-Production & Gaming



Image via The Verge

The geniuses at Industrial Light and Magic have always been on the forefront of new technology. The company already has an entire division dedicated to Virtual Reality. Originally, the team was working on games and interactive attractions for theme parks. Now, they have also started using the technology for film production.

For the upcoming anthology film, Star Wars: Rogue One, the VR division built a fully interactive digital set. Director Gareth Edwards was able to wear VR goggles and literally walk the set before the practical set was built. Using a wand, he could move set pieces like buildings or trees, and he could also plan camera angles and movement.

VR will certainly become a pre-production tool in the future. Take a peek inside the VR Lab at ILM with this video from The Verge.

VR Video Editing



Image via Dashwood

Dashwood 360VR Toolbox gives users real time 360 degree VR monitoring while editing in Premiere Pro CC, After Effects CC, Motion 5, and Final Cut Pro X.

Using an Oculus Rift, users can preview their 360 degree videos in real time. This allows the user to find any imperfections in their video and apply filters like blur, sharpen, glow, and noise reduction.

Take a look at the software in this Beta launch video.

Incorporating Physical Props



Image via Tested

The team at Tested visited with Artanim to take a look at their Real Virtuality. What sets this apart from standard VR gaming is the incorporation of multiple users being able to move through a large physical space.

In that space, users can freely move and interact with physical objects that are tracked. Those objects correspond with VR props that they can use. Holding a wand – they can physically pass a prop, like a torch. They can even use the wand as a flashlight to light up areas in the VR world.

Take a look at their experience in this video from Tested.

Are you excited about the future of VR? What are you anticipating the most? Let us know in the comments below.