

Soft8Soft has released Verge3D 2.10, the latest version of its framework for converting 3ds Max or Blender scenes into WebGL-based 3D web applications.

The update adds experimental support for virtual and augmented reality via the new WebXR standard, plus better support for its host applications’ PBR materials.

Support for VR and AR devices via WebXR

The update adds support for WebXR, an in-development open technology designed to enable virtual reality and augmented reality experiences to be displayed in web browsers.

Soft8Soft says that VR is the “most reliably working feature” at the minute. It works with both headsets with controllers, like the HTC Vive and Oculus Rift, and those without, like Google Cardboard.

To back up WebXR itself, Soft8Soft has updated Puzzles, the visual programming system used within Verge3D, to make it possible to create simple interactive VR experiences.

First-person controls can also now be enabled, making it possible to ‘walk’ around a scene in virtual reality.

Better support for physical materials, plus dynamic loading

The update also extends Verge3D’s support for its host applications’ materials, particularly PBR materials.

The Blender edition gets support for the Glass/Refraction BSDF node in the Cycles and Eevee renderers; and the Transmission input of the Principled BSDF node.

The 3ds Max edition gets support for the Output rollout of the Bitmap map; and the Roughness Inv switch for the Physical material, which converts roughness to glossiness within PBR workflows.

In addition, dynamic loading is now supported, which should improve performance on scenes that contain large numbers of objects. It can be controlled via either Puzzles or JavaScript.

Pricing and availability

Verge3D 2.10 is available for 3ds Max 2015+, Blender 2.79 or the beta version of Blender 2.80.

The software can be trialled for free; for production, a personal licence costs $290, a team licence costs $990, and an enterprise licence – which gets you source code access – costs $2,990.



Read a full list of new features in Verge3D 2.10 on Soft8Soft’s website

Tags: 3ds max, AR, Augmented Reality, Blender, convert 3D scenes to interactive applications, Cycles, Eevee, Google Cardboard, HTC Vive, mixed reality, new features, Oculus Rift, PBR, physical materials, price, Principled BSDF, Soft8Soft, Verge3D, Verge3D 2.10, Verge3D 2.10 for 3ds Max, Verge3D 2.10 for Blender, virtual reality, VR, WebGL, WebXR