Friday, July 14th, 2017 Posted by Jim Thacker

Get Google’s free Blocks VR modelling app


Google has released Blocks, its new free app for creating simple coloured 3D models in virtual reality using an HTC Vive or Oculus Rift headset and accompanying controllers.

Create simple polygonal models directly in virtual reality
Blocks enables users to create 3D models in virtual reality, using a VR controller.

Unlike Medium, Oculus’s VR sculpting application, or Google’s own Tilt Brush, it’s geared towards creating simple, low-poly geometry.

Whereas Tilt Brush is now increasingly being used for concept design on commercial VR projects, Blocks looks to be aimed more at creating final assets for stylised games, or just home use.

As such, there are only six tools – Shape, Stroke, Grab, Modify and Erase, plus a Paint tool for applying solid colours to the resulting geometry.

You can see the workflow in these demo videos: it’s midway between the way you would go about low-poly modelling in an offline application and freehand sketching.

Once created, models can be shared in Google’s online gallery, or exported in OBJ format.

Availability and system requirements
Blocks is available for Windows 7 and above. The software is a free download.

You’ll need a fairly powerful machine to run it – Google recommends 8GB RAM and an Nvidia GeForce GTX 970 or AMD Radeon R9 290 GPU or better – plus an HTC Vive or Oculus Rift headset and controllers.

Read more about Blocks on Google’s product website

Download Blocks for free from Steam