3D modeling might not exactly make the world go round, but it’s indispensable for video games, movies, advertising and various other fields. Whether it’s displayed on screen, printed on paper or even 3D printed, it can’t do without 3D modeling.

But what about this art and its future where virtual reality is concerned?

The second coming of virtual reality has already stirred many a company into producing all manner of apps and software. Google's Tilt Brush VR painting app (free with the HTC Vive VR headset for pre-orders, from today) is hailed as its killer app, as it lets you walk around your 2D painting in 3D.

However, the freedom of movement could be better employed not in drawing, but in sculpting. VRClay is one of the apps that makes use of Razer Hydra controllers to let you shape and sculpt 3D objects in virtual reality. It seems more intuitive and easier to control than when you have to do it with mouse. Finally, you’re not bound to a 2D plane when executing 3D moves.

But that doesn’t mean that the field is absent of more conventional 3D modeling programs. MakeVR is one of the hopefuls in VR 3D modeling. It’s meant to bring 3D modeling to the masses. It’s easy to use and contains many shapes (including iPhone cases) that can be manipulated in various ways by amateurs. It has more subtle controls, too.

However, it’s hard to say if programs like these will have the depth and the precision that’s necessary in 3D design that is available to desktop applications. Controllers aren’t nearly as precise as mice and keyboard.

But that’s why there’s software such as MOculus.io. Through its desktop dOculus overlay, it allows the modeler to see and manipulate the 2D window in VR while also displaying the model to side, where it can be appreciated in true VR.

So, at the end of the day, VR 3D modeling looks like it’s going to be an additional tool for 3D modelers rather than becoming the next step in 3D design's evolution. VR sculpting and shape manipulation tools would be great for quick sketches and mockups. However, mouse, keyboard and 2D will rule, especially in complicated work where precision is paramount. A solid surface doesn’t hurt, either.

Those 'conventional' control methods are also helpful when controlling the hundreds of menus and fields that can be encountered in any 3D modeling process. Sure, MakeVR has menus, but how many of those are you willing to navigate with controllers and without a keyboard’s worth of shortcuts? You can’t key those tools via visual shortcuts in a VR modeling environment – that would be extremely clunky to use.

All in all, the complexity of 3D modeling means that keyboards are likely here to stay.

HTC's $800 Vive VR headset goes on pre-order today in the US--though not in India--bundled with Google’s VR paint application Tilt Brush (see lead image)

However, VR is great for displaying or evaluating your work. IrisVR and InsiteVR are already working on bringing you an easy way to step into 3D models of houses. But you don’t even need that if you’re looking for a way to evaluate, say, how your game model would look in VR before you upload it to sell on a site like CGTrader. With VR, you’ll spot any issues with textures or uncanny valley effects, and will be able to fix it on time.

On CGTrader.com, you buy or sell 3D models for computer graphics and VR—including 3D models you can download and print on your 3D printer: from a free Raspberry Pi case or a $3 USB cover to a $150 sculpted phone stand.

So no, VR modeling will not replace regular 3D modeling anytime soon. It’s going to become a tool that is very handy in many situations, but not for the bulk of work.

You may be left wondering as to what the future holds. Who knows, with improved sensors and haptics we could be sculpting virtual reality with our own hands.

Martynas Klimas is staff writer at CGTrader, with expertise on gaming and 3D modeling. He or CGTrader have no business interests in any other product mentioned here. Views here are the author’s and do not represent those of CXOtoday or Trivone

Tags : 3D design, 3D modeling