Among the many development tools announced by Microsoft at the HoloLens 2 release, one in particular was highly anticipated by the public.
Recently released in a preview version, Azure Remote Rendering (ARR) already promises to live up to our expectations.
This tool is designed for viewing complex three-dimensional models without any restrictions on devices, such as HoloLens 2, that are not initially intended for sufficiently detailed graphic rendering.
To do this, ARR performs its calculations on the Microsoft Azure cloud platform and sends the result to the customer’s software as a 3D video stream.
But that’s not all: ARR comes with various tools that ensure an intuitive and harmonious integration with any HoloLens 2 application.
Not satisfied with being able to handle the heaviest models thanks to an adaptive architecture that distributes the load over several graphics processing units (GPUs) if necessary, ARR offers developers the luxury of a complete and well-documented software development kit (SDK).
The latter provides much appreciated features, such as compatibility with the mixed reality toolkit (MRTK) which allows users to instinctively interact with models, mix them with locally displayed 3D objects, or quickly change the appearance and position of their components.
In the video accompanying this article, a comparison is made between two models of the same building: the 3D model of AquaMalo, the future aquatics centre currently under construction in Saint Malo, France.
Thanks to the power of Azure Remote Rendering, it is possible to easily display a version of this model with a two-million polygon count; while a for a locally calculated rendering to be fluid, that number would have to be reduced to 200,000.
Beyond the differences in precision and sharpness visible on the outside and inside of 3D objects, textures are also improved, particularly the transparency of glass surfaces.
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Of course, an Internet connection is needed to take advantage of the services provided by this new tool.
Officially, Microsoft recommends a download speed of 50 Mb/s (6.25 MB/s) and an upload speed of 10 Mb/s (1.25 MB/s).
These figures remain reasonable given the amount of information to be transmitted.
Indeed, the communication system implemented by Azure is capable of predicting user movements and, as a result, requesting several frames simultaneously from the server.
It goes without saying that companies that need a certain level of quality for their 3D models to be able to operate efficiently will appreciate ARR’s market debut.
Synergiz is already positioning itself as a preferred contact for the implementation of solutions compatible with this technology.
Do you want high-fidelity 3D rendering despite limited computing power? Contact Synergiz.
We assist our customers in implementing Azure Remote Rendering within their applications.