Creating virtual environments as a design tool

LETHBRIDGE – The latest virtual reality technology is being demonstrated as a tool for builders, architects, and interior designers.

It’s part of the Interior Design Technology program Lethbridge College showed to high school students Tuesday, Dec. 6 to explain how work can be helped by the ability to create 3D, immersive environments.

“We’ve been working on doing animation and still digital images that are very photorealistic,” explained instructor Cherie Reitzel, who believes the program is a first of its kind, with cutting-edge technology. “We’re using game engines for this, so it’s super exciting.”

Reitzel is excited about the Oculus Touch system that’s on its way, which will allow people to edit a virtual space as they inhabit it. It’s so new, it’s on pre-order.