Google joins in VR, AR party with new Blocks app

Dubai - Tech giant aims to make content creation easy for everyone - could be too easy, in fact

Not so long ago, Apple showed off its grand plans for virtual reality and augmented reality at the Worldwide Developers Conference.
You think Google will allow itself to eat digital dust?
No.
Alphabet's Internet giant just unveiled the Blocks VR app, which, as the folks at the Googleplex points out, will help you "easily create 3D objects in VR".

This is one neat waterfall scene.
 
"Today, it takes complex software and a specific skill set to create compelling VR and AR experiences. That software also requires building 3D objects on a 2D screen - something our brains aren't wired to," Google said in its blog.
"It occurred to us that creating the objects while in virtual reality could make this easier."
So, basically, you'll have to plunge into the world of VR to realise your own grand virtual plans. And this is specifically good news for Oculus Rift and HTC Vive users, because those are where Blocks will be working on.

Blocks-calibur?
 
VR and AR are growing in popularity, but creating content for them may seem like a daunting task. As Apple did, Google is trying to simplify things.
So simple that it's designed to "feel more like playing with children's blocks than working with traditional 3D software". Sounds good.
To get your virtual ball rolling, you start off with a basic set of shapes, a colour palette and an "intuitive" set of tools, which will help you create anything from a watermelon to a forest.

Summer's here.
 
When you're done with your creativity, you can export it as an OBJ file and use it on any VR or AR app you're developing, share it on the Web or make a GIF out of it. You may be inspired with what other people have done here.
- alvin@khaleejtimes.com