The integration of 4D scheduling software with Unreal Engine has revolutionized construction planning and visualization, providing immersive and interactive experiences that enhance project understanding and collaboration. Several industry leaders have developed tools and plugins to facilitate this integration, each offering unique capabilities.
Bentley Systems' SYNCHRO and the iTwin Platform
Bentley Systems has developed the iTwin platform, which includes the iTwin for Unreal plugin. This plugin enables the streaming of iTwins and reality data from the iTwin cloud into Unreal Engine for high-fidelity visualization and interaction. It supports real-time 3D rendering, navigation, and visualization of iModels with high performance, accessing saved views, and 4D animation playback. The plugin also offers an exposed API for custom blueprints, allowing Unreal Engine developers to create tailored interactive experiences around iTwins.
BEXEL Manager's Unreal Engine Plugin
BEXEL Manager provides a plugin designed to export schedule animations to Unreal Engine. After exporting animation from BEXEL Manager and importing it into Unreal Engine, users can produce visually appealing construction animations. They can add textures, shadows, kinematics, and utilize all other functionalities that Unreal Engine offers. This integration enhances the visual quality of 4D simulations, making them more informative and engaging.
AMC Bridge's Unreal Construction Timeline Viewer for Navisworks
AMC Bridge has developed the Unreal Construction Timeline Viewer for Navisworks, a technology demonstration that exports 3D model geometry, materials, and timelines from Navisworks into an Unreal Engine-based executable prototype. This tool allows users to simulate the construction process with realistic rendering, providing a comprehensive view of project timelines and sequences. Users can control the simulation process, change camera positions during the simulation, manage timeline speed, start the simulation from any specific construction moment, simulate the construction of isolated meshes, highlight meshes to keep track of them during the overall simulation, and control the visibility of different meshes during the simulation.
SHIFT's Aspectu 4D
SHIFT has developed Aspectu 4D, a standalone 4D scheduling software built within Unreal Engine 5. Currently in open beta, Aspectu 4D offers an immersive environment for construction scheduling, combining the power of Unreal Engine's visualization capabilities with comprehensive scheduling tools. This integration aims to provide users with an intuitive and interactive platform for construction planning.
The convergence of 4D scheduling software and Unreal Engine marks a significant advancement in construction project management. These integrations not only enhance the visual representation of construction schedules but also improve stakeholder engagement and decision-making processes through immersive and interactive simulations.