Kubity

Kubity
Developer Kubity
Operating system Android, iOS, Windows, macOS, Linux
Website www.kubity.com

Kubity[1] is a one-click cloud-based 3D communication tool that works on desktop computers, the web, smartphones, tablets, augmented reality gear, and virtual reality glasses. Kubity is powered by a proprietary 3D crystallization engine called "Paragone" that prepares the 3D file for transfer over mobile devices.

Kubity has practical applications for architecture, interior design, engineering, product design, film and video games among others. The majority of its users create 3D models using SketchUp or Autodesk Revit software.

Products include a desktop app, Kubity, a mobile app, Kubity Go, mobile companion apps Kubity AR and Kubity VR, and plugins Kubity Exporter for SketchUp, Kubity Exporter for Revit and rvt2skp, a plugin to export Revit projects (.rvt) to SketchUp (.skp) files.

Kubity is compatible across many platforms, devices and operating systems including: iOS, Android, Windows, MacOS and Linux.

It is available as a freeware version, Kubity, and a paid version with additional functionality, Kubity PRO.

History

Kubity was created by Paris-based software company, Kubity S.A.S., that designs and develops cloud-based visual communication tools for 3D models. Founded in 2012 by a group of software engineers and an urban projects developer, they united around a simple idea: create a way for anyone, anywhere to simply and intuitively explore 3D models on smartphones and computers.

In order to bring architects, engineers and designers together with their clients around a 3D model, it was essential to develop an interactive platform that supported multiple desktop and mobile devices for instantaneous and fluid 3D navigation. With specifications in place, 15 engineers fused together several technologies: 3D design, data compression, decimation and rendering optimization, web and mobile transfer, and virtual reality headset integration.

In January 2014, the first public Kubity prototype (1.0 Amethyst) was launched to a small group of beta testers with a plug-in that allowed users to import 3D models from SketchUp to their browser.[2] A global release was announced in April 2014 at the SketchUp Basecamp in Vail, Colorado.[3]

In May 2015, Kubity launched a web application that worked using WebGL technology (2.0 Citrine). For the first time, users were able to drag and drop any SketchUp file in a web browser without having to install a plug-in.[4][5]

In December 2015, Kubity launched a mobile application on the App Store for iPhone, iPod, and iPad as well as on Google Play for Android devices (3.0 Druzy).

In November 2016, Kubity launched support for Oculus Rift and HTC Vive (4.0 Emerald).

In November 2017, Kubity launched the first mixed reality multiplex[6]—a full suite of desktop, web and mobile apps—to instantly visualize 3D models across multiple devices: desktop computers, smartphones, tablets, augmented reality gear, and virtual reality glasses (5.0 Feldspar).

Kubity offers a personal version free-of-charge for home and educational use. A premium version was launched in November 2017.

Technology

Kubity is powered by a proprietary 3D crystallization engine known as "Paragone"; a technology developed by Kubity S.A.S. Paragone takes constrained information from a 3D file and runs it through the "BlockWave" algorithm, also developed by Kubity S.A.S.

BlockWave is a multiphase optimization algorithm that combines 3D design, data compression, decimation and rendering optimization, web and mobile transfer, and mixed reality headset integration to create a crystallized universal format of the original file. This crystallized file is unconstrained, and playable across the multiplex with real-time rendering.

One phase of the BlockWave algorithm is based on the quadric-based polygonal surface simplification algorithm, performed using predefined heuristics, and is associated with a plurality of simplified versions of the 3D model, each version being associated with a predefined level of detail adapted to the user specific end device. BlockWave extracts data content, geometry and textures, then sets quadrics for each top of the original 3D model, and identifies pairs of adjacent tops linked by vertices. The algorithm uses a local collapsing operator and a top-plan error metric to obtain a fixed number of faces or a maximum defined error; 3D meshing is simplified by replacing two points with one, then deleting the degrading faces and updating adjacent relations. Once decimation is completed, texture optimization is set using texture target parameters allowing maximized GPU memory to improve computing time. With texture encoding completed, the crystallized universal 3D file can now be easily opened on any user-specific end device and played across the multiplex with real-time rendering.

Features

3D Crystallization

A user converts (or crystallizes) a 3D file by dropping it into the Kubity desktop app. Crystallization adds features like AR/VR and cinematic fly-through tour as well as assigns the model a dedicated QR code.

Accessible Across the Multiplex

The Kubity multiplex is the full suite of desktop and mobile applications (including: kubity.com, the Kubity desktop app, Kubity Go, Kubity VR and Kubity AR) that work together to offer a variety of functions.

Once a model is crystallized, its QR code can be scanned with Kubity Go on a smartphone or tablet where it is added to the user's model library. From there, it can be accessed, explored, and shared with others with or without an internet connection.

Play & Share Everywhere

Visualize, explore and present 3D models on desktop, web, and on-the-go with iPhone, iPad and Android devices.

Virtual Reality

In February 2018, Kubity launched Kubity VR, the dedicated Virtual Reality companion app for Kubity Go. It offers a better VR experience with increased performance and stability. All models are automatically imported from Kubity Go so users can start exploring in VR right away. Next-generation immersive VR can be experienced with the Oculus Rift, HTC Vive, and Samsung Gear VR on the Kubity desktop app.

Augmented Reality

In January 2018, Kubity launched Kubity AR, the dedicated Augmented Reality companion app for Kubity Go that allows users to interact with 3D models in true augmented reality with seamless integration from the Kubity app.

Cinematic Tour

Fly through a model with pre-set scenes automatically imported from SketchUp.

First-Person Perspective

View models from a first person point-of-view.

Security and Management

User models can be managed all in one place by connecting to the Kubity desktop app. Models can be renamed, password-protected, shared, and played.

Kubity AR

Kubity AR is the dedicated Augmented Reality app for Kubity.

Developed using Apple ARKit and Google ARCore technology, Kubity AR maps the environment in a room detecting horizontal planes like tables and floors to track and place 3D objects. By blending digital objects and information with the environment, Kubity AR allows users to interact with 3D models in true augmented reality.

Built-in communication features allows users to instantly share 3D models with anyone over text, email, social media, or direct device-to-device with a QR Code.

Platform Support

Kubity AR for iOS is compatible with devices running iOS11 including: iPhone SE, iPhone 6s, iPhone 6s Plus, iPhone 7, iPhone 7 Plus, iPhone 8, iPhone X, all iPad Pro models, and iPad (2017).

Kubity AR for Android requires Android 7.0 or later and access to the Google Play Store. A full list of compatible devices is found on the ARCore developer website.

Kubity VR

Kubity VR is the dedicated Virtual Reality app for Kubity offering a better VR experience with increased performance and stability.

Kubity VR is compatible with Google Cardboard viewers and other cardboard compatible devices including clip-on style VR glasses like Homido Mini, as well as the mobile virtual reality headset, Samsung Gear VR.

Samsung Gear VR supports: Galaxy S6, Galaxy S6 Edge, Galaxy S6 Edge+, Samsung Galaxy Note 5, Galaxy S7, Galaxy S7 Edge, Galaxy S8, Galaxy S8+, Samsung Galaxy Note Fan Edition, Samsung Galaxy Note 8, Samsung Galaxy A8/A8+ (2018) and Samsung Galaxy S9/Galaxy S9+.

Kubity PRO

Kubity announced a premium version of the service in November 2017 which offers unlimited model library storage, ad free experience, file privacy protection, and support within 24 hours, in addition to instant AR/VR visualization across unlimited devices. The cost is 199€/ year excluding V.A.T. Price adjusted in local currency.

Downloads

The Kubity desktop app is free to download at www.kubity.com

The Kubity Go mobile app is free to download in the App Store and on Google Play.

Kubity VR is free to download in the App Store and on Google Play.

Kubity AR is free to download in the App Store and on Google Play.

Platform support

On iOS, the Kubity application is compatible with devices running on the version 9.0 or higher. On Android, Kubity is compatible with devices running on the version 4.4 “Kit Kat” or higher.

The web version of Kubity applications currently support web browsers compatible with WebGL: Mozilla Firefox, Microsoft Edge and Google Chrome.

Kubity AR is compatible with devices running iOS11 including: iPhone SE, iPhone 6s, iPhone 6s Plus, iPhone 7, iPhone 7 Plus, iPhone 8, iPhone X, all iPad Pro models, and iPad (2017), and Android devices. Requires Android 7.0 or later and access to the Google Play Store.

See also

References

  1. ↑ "Kubity - Official Website". Retrieved 5 November 2015.
  2. ↑ https://www.rudebaguette.com/2014/08/06/interview-kubity-cofounder-ceo-romain-gora-discusses-plans-make-communication-via-3d-accessible/
  3. ↑ "Looking back on 3D Basecamp 2014". SketchUp Blog. 2014-05-01. Retrieved 2018-02-02.
  4. ↑ http://forums.sketchup.com/t/kubity-su-rendered-model-sharing-free/10637
  5. ↑ http://portal.babelx3d.net/content/sharing-sketchup-files-kubity
  6. ↑ "A New Generation of Tools: The 3D Visualization Multiplex". ArchDaily. 2017-09-19. Retrieved 2018-01-22.
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