SimLab Studio is revolutionizing CAD design by transforming your 3D models into interactive and immersive virtual reality experiences. This lightweight yet powerful solution enables technical professionals to create VR environments without programming or advanced 3D skills. Imagine presenting your designs at full scale, training your teams safely, or impressing your clients with interactive virtual product demonstrations. Discover how this technology is transforming engineering workflows and opening new opportunities for your business.
What is SimLab Studio?
SimLab Studio is a specialized software solution for creating virtual reality experiences from CAD models, without requiring programming knowledge or advanced 3D art skills. Developed by SimLab Soft, a company recognized in the 3D solutions field since 2007 and used by companies such as Microsoft, Tesla, Sony, and Google, this software stands out for its accessibility and power.
Unlike traditional VR platforms that require advanced technical skills, SimLab Studio takes a user-centric approach-engineers, designers, and technical professionals-allowing them to transform their existing models into interactive virtual environments in just a few simple, quick steps.
10 reasons to choose SimLab Studio
Intuitive Interface and Accessibility
SimLab Studio’s interface is designed for immediate accessibility by CAD professionals, with a reduced learning curve that allows users to be productive within minutes. This intuitive design removes traditional barriers to VR adoption in engineering workflows.
The platform uses a visual construction system that replaces programming. Thanks to the integrated SimLab VR Training Builder, you define events and responses through a simple graphical interface, without writing a single line of code. This approach democratizes VR creation by making it accessible to domain experts who best understand their industry’s needs.
This ease of use enables a rapid return on investment, with significant productivity from the very first days of use. In 2 to 3 days, you’ll achieve what would take weeks with other solutions.
Extensive Compatibility with CAD Formats
One of SimLab Studio’s major strengths is its ability to import and process over 30 different 3D file formats, covering virtually all major CAD software on the market. This exceptional interoperability removes the usual technical obstacles when transforming 3D models into VR experiences.
Supported formats include:
- CATIA (.3dxml)
- SOLIDWORKS (.sldasm, .sldprt)
- Autodesk Inventor (.iam, .ipt)
- Autodesk formats (.dwg, .dxf)
- Rhino 3D (.3dm)
- STEP (.stp, .step)
- IGES (.igs, .iges)
- FBX (.fbx)
- OBJ (.obj)
- JT (.jt)
The software preserves assembly hierarchies and important model attributes, ensuring the integrity of technical data when converting to VR. This capability is crucial for design reviews and technical applications where accuracy is essential.
Advanced VR Creation Features
Virtual Scene Construction
Create complete virtual environments with a library of predefined elements. Position your CAD models in realistic contexts for better visualization and understanding. Capture different configurations including transformations, visibility, and materials.
Lighting and Environment
Easily adjust lighting and environment settings for your scenes to create the perfect ambiance. Choose from 20 predefined environments or import your own, with optimized lighting options for a professional rendering.
3D Model Library
Access a vast collection of ready-to-use 3D models to enrich your virtual scenes without having to create every element from scratch, significantly speeding up your workflow and enabling more contextualized presentations.
Powerful Interactivity Tools
SimLab Studio transforms static 3D models into dynamic interactive experiences thanks to a set of intuitive tools:
- Smooth animations: Import and edit existing animations or create new ones directly in the tool. Turn these animations into controllable VR sequences.
- Product variations: Present different configurations, colors, and materials of the same product, allowing users to view all available options.
- Smart annotations: Add text, technical descriptions, and detailed information to various parts of your model.
- Dynamic section planes: Reveal the interior of your models with interactive section planes that users can manipulate in VR.
- Model attributes: Leverage existing CAD and BIM attributes to enrich the VR experience with precise technical data.
These features transform a simple 3D model into an immersive, information-rich experience, ideal for product demonstrations and technical design reviews.
Training and Assessment System
SimLab Studio excels at creating technical training experiences with specialized tools:
- Quizzes and surveys in VR: Create interactive questionnaires directly in the virtual environment to test knowledge or collect feedback.
- Dynamic and physical VR: Simulate realistic physical interactions between objects for authentic training scenarios.
- Voice commands: Integrate voice recognition features for more natural interaction in the VR environment.
- Gesture recognition: Allow users to interact with virtual objects using intuitive hand movements.
- Mixed reality (XR): Combine virtual and real elements to create rich, contextual mixed experiences.
These advanced features make SimLab Studio an ideal platform for professional training, enabling the creation of safe simulations for scenarios that would be costly or risky to reproduce in the real world.
Sharing and Collaboration
SimLab Studio offers robust solutions for sharing your VR creations with clients, colleagues, and partners:
- Integration with SimLab VR Viewer: A free, cross-platform application that allows anyone to view your VR experiences on PC, Mac, smartphones, tablets, and standalone VR headsets.
- Cloud features: Publish and share your VR experiences via SimLab Cloud, with personalized access control.
- Multi-device synchronization: Access your VR projects from different devices for maximum flexibility.
- Collaborative sessions: Organize design reviews by inviting multiple participants to simultaneously explore the same virtual environment.
This comprehensive sharing approach ensures your VR experiences easily reach your target audience, regardless of their equipment or location.
Concrete Solutions for Industry
SimLab Studio addresses specific needs in many professional contexts:
- Optimized design reviews: Visualize your prototypes at 1:1 scale to quickly identify issues and make informed decisions, without building costly physical prototypes.
- Immersive sales presentations: Transform the customer experience by allowing prospects to directly interact with your products in VR, increasing conversion rates.
- Interactive technical training: Create safe learning environments where trainees can practice complex procedures without risk.
- Virtual product demonstrations: Present large or complex products in limited spaces thanks to VR.
These applications demonstrate how SimLab Studio integrates into various workflows to solve concrete problems and deliver tangible added value.
Tangible Business Benefits
Cost Reduction
By replacing physical prototypes with interactive virtual models, companies can significantly save on product development costs. The ability to identify design issues earlier in the process avoids costly late-stage modifications.
Faster Development
SimLab Studio enables the creation of VR experiences in just a few days, compared to several weeks with traditional tools. This speed greatly reduces design cycles and accelerates time-to-market.
Improved Technical Communication
Immersive visualization makes it easier for all stakeholders, including non-technical ones, to understand complex technical concepts, thus optimizing cross-departmental collaboration and client relationships.
Available Editions
SimLab Studio offers different editions to meet the varied needs of businesses:
SimLab Studio Free
Completely free edition allowing you to:
- Create basic VR experiences
- Import a limited number of 3D formats
- Explore essential features
- Share VR experiences (with watermark)
- Access integrated tutorials
Ideal for discovering the platform with no financial commitment.
SimLab Studio Pro
Comprehensive professional solution including:
- Support for all import formats
- Advanced VR tools (quizzes, physics, etc.)
- Sharing without watermark
- Extended cloud access (10 models)
- LMS integration for training
The investment in the Pro version (€499/year) offers a rapid return on investment, generally from the very first completed project.
Integrated Solution
SimLab Studio Pro is included starting from the "Mechanical" version of SimLab Composer
Benefit from all advanced VR creation features at no additional cost
Resources to Master SimLab Studio
SimLab Studio offers a complete ecosystem of learning resources to speed up your onboarding:
Integrated Tutorials
Access directly from the software over 200 training videos covering all aspects of VR creation.
Model Library
Get started quickly with numerous pre-designed models and environments, perfect for creating your first VR experiences.
A comprehensive 2-hour tutorial covers all essential VR features with CAD models.
Discover SimLab Studio for Your Business
Transform your CAD models into interactive VR experiences today and give a new dimension to your projects. SimLab Studio offers the ideal solution to quickly create professional immersive experiences without specific VR development skills. Request a personalized evaluation and discover how this technology can fit into your technical workflow.
