BUSINESS - INTERIOR DESIGN - 28.11.2017

Virtual interior design for your office or shop

ARKit

With the launch of its latest operating system iOS 11, Apple also made ARKit ( https://developer.apple.com/arkit/ ) available. This is a framework where developers can find everything they need to create “augmented reality” apps for the iPhone or iPad. Unlike “virtual reality” apps, augmented reality apps combine virtual elements with real situations as it is recorded by your smartphone or tablet camera.

Ikea jumps on the bandwagon

From virtual… Last year, Ikea made its first steps in the world of virtual reality. This resulted in Ikea VR Experience ( http://store.steampowered.com/app/447270/IKEA_VR_Experience/ ), a virtual kitchen which you can explore through a VR headset. During your tour, you can change the colour of the cupboards in one click. It’s even possible to make yourself smaller so that you can explore the space as if through the eyes of a child - important from a safety point of view.

…to augmented. Ikea is taking this approach a step further. With the new augmented reality app called Ikea Place (available for download from the Apple App Store), you can place more than 2,000 virtual chairs, tables, cupboards and other items from the Ikea catalogue in your shop, office, house or any other space. This app runs on iPhones and iPads equipped with iOS 11.

The test. After you’ve given the app access to your camera, the tool will ask your permission to scan the space. As soon as enough points of reference have been charted (represented as yellow dots), you can start selecting and adding pieces of furniture. This is done with a high degree of accuracy and realism: the pieces of furniture are shown in the correct dimensions and perspective, with lighting and shadows which can hardly be distinguished from natural light. And when you move the objects around, everything is adjusted automatically. Note. If lighting conditions are poor, Ikea Place works less well, so provide ample light. Tip. You can record the revamped interior as an image or video and share it with your colleagues or family. Needless to say that the furniture can be bought directly from within the app.

Other tools

Wallr ( https://www.blueshiftdevelopment.com/wallr ) also makes use of Apple’s ARKit. It lets you add an image from your library as a virtual painting to a wall in your office or shop. Tip. There are tools which have been experimenting with augmented reality without ARKit. For instance, there’s Amikasa 3D Room Designer ( http://www.amikasa.com ): this tool lets you design your interior using furniture, flooring and wall colours from real brands. You only need to select a room shape and set the wall dimensions. There’s a walkthrough mode which allows you to get a feel for your room design, and you can share your rooms with others for a second opinion. And if you have a bathroom to update, check out Villeroy-Boch ( https://www.villeroy-boch.co.uk/bathroom-and-wellness/planning/augmented-reality.html ). This app lets you project the products from the catalogue in AR mode. Finally, initiatives such as Decolabs ( http://www.decolabs.com ) and Augment ( http://www.augment.com ) also look quite promising.