Virtual Reality Courses for Architects and Designers

Q: How is virtual reality used in architecture?

Virtual reality in architecture is used in three main ways: design review, where teams walk through a model at full scale before construction; client presentation, where spatial experience communicates design intent better than drawings or renders; and direct design, where architects use VR tools to develop form and space in three dimensions in real time. PAACADEMY's VR courses cover all three applications using Unreal Engine, XR platforms and immersive design tools.

Q: What software is used in VR architecture courses?

PAACADEMY's virtual reality courses use Unreal Engine for real-time rendering and interactive environment building, paired with Rhinoceros 3D for geometry creation. Extended reality and spatial computing courses address XR platforms more broadly, including VR and AR deployment workflows. Some courses use VR sculpting and design tools that allow direct spatial modeling inside a headset environment.

Q: Do I need a VR headset to take PAACADEMY's virtual reality courses?

Check the requirements on individual course pages, as this varies by course. Courses focused on real-time rendering and environment building in Unreal Engine can be completed on a standard workstation without a headset. Courses that involve direct spatial design or review inside a VR environment may require headset access for the immersive components.

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Blueprints in Motion: From Maya to Unreal Engine

Guillermo Rage

Verified Account

8 HoursIntermediate12 lessons

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Blueprints in Motion: From Maya to Unreal Engine

8 HoursIntermediate12 lessons

What you'll learn

Model base geometry in Maya with a conscious and forward-thinking approach
Rationalize and panelize geometry using Grasshopper
Manage and use data across platforms, including automating its transfer from Grasshopper and reading it inside Unreal Engine

Guillermo Rage

Verified Account

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Sculpture Synergy in VR

Christian Venables

Verified Account

8 HoursBeginner11 lessons

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Sculpture Synergy in VR

8 HoursBeginner11 lessons

What you'll learn

VR Sculpting: Create detailed 3D sculptures using Gravity Sketch and Substance Modeler.
AI Tools: Utilize Krea.ai for creative inspiration and enhancements.
Texturing: Apply realistic materials with Substance Painter.

Christian Venables

Verified Account

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Design in Virtual Reality

Christian Venables

Verified Account

4 Sesions (16 Hours)Beginner8 lessons

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Design in Virtual Reality

4 Sesions (16 Hours)Beginner8 lessons

What you'll learn

3D Modeling in VR: Gain hands-on experience with Gravity Sketch to create and manipulate 3D models directly in a virtual reality environment.
Free-Form Sketching Techniques: Explore various methods for free-form sketching and constrained geometry blocking within a VR space.
Model Exporting: Learn how to export your VR models using Gravity Sketch’s Landing Pad for further refinement.

Christian Venables

Verified Account

Frequently Asked Questions About Virtual reality

How is virtual reality used in architecture?

What software is used in VR architecture courses?

Do I need a VR headset to take PAACADEMY's virtual reality courses?

PAACADEMY offers advanced online virtual reality courses for architects, teaching the full pipeline from 3D geometry creation to real-time spatial experience using Unreal Engine, Rhinoceros 3D and immersive XR platforms. PAACADEMY's Virtual Reality category covers the design and construction of immersive digital environments for architectural practice. Courses address the full pipeline from geometry creation to real-time spatial experience, using VR tools and game engines to build environments that can be inhabited, navigated and presented in immersive headset or screen-based formats. Key topics covered include: Real-Time Rendering: The Unreal Engine Blueprint course teaches Unreal Engine alongside Rhinoceros 3D to build real-time architectural visualizations. Spatial Computing & XR: Extending beyond traditional screen interfaces to deploy architectural models into augmented, virtual and mixed reality environments. Direct Spatial Design: Utilizing immersive tools to develop form and space directly within a headset environment, shifting the design process from 2D screens to 3D spatial interaction.

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