ShapesXR, which started back in 2021, has just added this new animation thingy. It’s like they decided, hey, let’s make the prototypes even cooler — so now there’s this animation feature. And trust me, it’s a game-changer.
Alright, so they’re calling it an “Animation” feature. Sounds fancy, right? But really, it’s just this straightforward, frame-based animation trick. You can whip up transitions and interactions between scenes without, get this, writing any code. Not even a single line. Wild, huh?
You can do all sorts of stuff now — like making UI moves or adding those storytelling beats, maybe throw in some interactive gestures. That animation feature basically helps you make XR stuff more… I dunno, immersive and, like, engaging. That’s what the studio claims, anyway.
So, here’s the deal. “Animation is in our DNA,” blurts out Inga Petryaevskaya, the CEO. (Honestly, first time I’ve come across someone with that last name. Kind of sticks with you, doesn’t it?) Anyway, she’s all about making prototyping fast and freeing. Sounds like she’s living the design dream or something.
Something else? This Animation tool lets you and your team do that real-time collab thing. You can animate stuff on any browser-ready device — flip between XR headsets or just a plain old monitor. Quest and Pico headsets are in the mix too. I tried switching devices once and strangely missed it when it wasn’t there. Weird, huh?
Now, this feature also rolls out with some new sample spaces. And there’s this interactive tutorial led by a virtual instructor. It’s supposed to teach you the ropes on animating stuff. Honestly, I need a tutorial for a tutorial, so fingers crossed this one’s clear.
ShapesXR, ever since it popped up in 2021, aims at both creatives and businesses. But here’s the kicker — it’s free on the Horizon Store for Quest 2 and beyond, plus the Pico Store. Tons of tools and features, right? But hold on, free comes with a tiny catch. You get one editable space, a limit of 10 states per space, and a 20 MB cap on asset imports. Want more? Get ready to shell out for a Business or Enterprise license. Life, huh?
Anyway, if you’re in the XR game, you might want to check this out. I mean, why not, right?
