What You Should Know about VR Software Development

Estimated reading time: 5 minutes

Virtual reality has become the main trend that can bring lots of benefits in the real world. The thing is that improvements in hardware and software promoted the development of VR. A few years ago, computers didn’t support this technology. But today, VR technology has made its way to online retailers as a personal entertainment device. Millions of people from all over the globe already have VR headsets and are actively using this technology.

Following this link https://litslink.com/services/virtual-reality-software-development, you can learn more about the peculiarities of VR software development, and learn how to find a trusted team that can build a VR app for your business. In this insightful post, we’ll share some basic facts about VR technology every user must know.

What Is Virtual Reality Software?

This system usually includes a few essential elements. They are as follows:

• Immersion (mental and physical);
• Sensory feedback;
• Interactivity;
• The virtual world that includes 3D objects.

VR software tools are classified according to the immersion they provide and the level of tech supply. Absolutely every VR environment is constructed by such aspects as modelling, coding, and executing. Commonly, all these aspects have to be integrated into one package.

VR SDKs (or software development kits) have lots of powerful tools for designing, modelling and testing various VR experiences. The majority of SDKs usually comprise a few fundamental drivers and a clear interface for accessing tracking data. As a result, a programmer can use a basic dev kit and create their own virtual space from scratch.

General Skills a Virtual Reality Developer Must Have

Here’s a list of the main skills any VR software developer should have:

• 3D modelling;
• Awareness of the latest digital trends;
• Video editing;
• Experience in VR operation tools;
• Experience in Computer-Aided Design;
• Experience in designing VR content;
• Understanding of device specifications;
• Knowing how to use wearables (Oculus, HTC, HoloLens, etc.)

When a VR developer possesses these skills, he or she will definitely build robust software that will meet the needs of your business.

Overview of the Main VR Software Development Tools

VR has lots of benefits for your business, but a development process can be very tricky. Here’s a list of the main tools that software programmers usually use to streamline their work. They help make the development process more comfortable and effective:

Unity

This is a must-have tool for game developers, but it can be very useful for other sectors too. For instance, you can also use this tool for such areas as manufacturing, transportation, engineering, entertainment, etc.

Here’s a list of the main benefits of this solution:

• CAD tool;
• A multi-featured editor that can be used for designing VR assets;
• Collaboration options;
• Designer tools.

There are a few educational courses that help developers start with Unity.

Amazon Sumerian

It’s a powerful VR engine developed by AWS, and there’s no need to have specific programming skills or 3D graphics to use this tool. This solution is compatible with all VR platforms like HTC Vive Pro, Lenovo Mirage, or Oculus Go. It also supports such VR use cases as training simulation, employee education, retail and sails, etc.

Unreal Engine 4

It’s a multi-featured set of popular VR development tools that allow coders to build VR applications for Sony, Android, iOS, Oculus, or Google VR. The most powerful options of this platform are as follows:

• There’s access to C++ source code and even Python scripts.
• Multiple frameworks and a flexible editor.
• The capability to add animation, audio, sequence, and lots of other effects.

Overall, it’s a superb solution with a rich ecosystem.

Blender

It’s a free, open-source 3D creation suite that offers the following options:

• The capability to create a 3D pipeline with rigging, modelling and simulation tracking.
• The support for video and game development.
• The capability to customize the app according to your needs.

How Much Does It Cost to Build VR Apps?

If you don’t have a team of in-house developers, it is better to outsource this project. You’ll find a remote dev team that can help bring your idea into life. The average price varies from $40,000 to $80,000 for a simple VR app. However, the cost varies depending on the developers’ country of living. If you want to save money, you should opt for developers from Eastern Europe. They usually have a lower hourly rate.

You have to bear in mind that building VR apps is not always easy. It’s a time-consuming task that requires detailed project documentation. Project planning stage usually lasts for two weeks. All the details should be clarified before developers start working.

In 2020, the statistics suggest that the consumer market of VR technology will bring in 6,3 billion dollars in revenue. We can see that this technology is not going to grow obsolete. Therefore, creating a VR app is a good investment.