DataMesh Inspector 1.1 Releases, Enhancing Collaboration and MR Experience in AEC

Today, DataMesh released Inspector 1.1, introducing innovative features to deliver outstanding mixed reality experiences for the AEC (Architecture, Engineering, and Construction) sector. Focused on streamlining and optimizing visualization, on-site collaboration, and resource management, Inspector empowers construction and engineering professionals to achieve higher project execution efficiency throughout the AEC lifecycle.

Inspector, a cutting-edge inspection and maintenance toolkit powered by digital twin and mixed reality, can overlay large-scale BIM models and other real-time data onto the work site through augmented reality (AR). It visualizes digital twin data in the real world and enables fast inspection throughout the entire lifecycle of buildings and facilities. As a gateway to the industrial metaverse FactVerse, Inspector efficiently conveys business knowledge to frontline workers through immersive interactive methods.

Dynamically loads large-scale BIM data onto the site, empowering engineering acceptance with AR to verify planning and actual construction

Streamlining On-site Collaboration with Enhanced Annotations

Inspector 1.1 introduces enhanced collaborative annotation, allowing users to instantly view annotations like issue markers, inspection results, technical communications, and action plans added by team members during inspections or project walkthroughs. This feature significantly improves communication efficiency and provides robust process management tools for general contractors and subcontractors during the inspection of divisions and sections of projects.

View annotations within the building scene in browsing mode powered by mixed reality

With the upgraded collaborative annotation feature in Inspector 1.1, users can instantly view annotations added by other team members during the inspection process, such as issue markings, inspection results, technical communications, and action plans. This significantly improves communication efficiency, providing powerful process management tools for general contractors and various specialty contractors in the acceptance of subprojects.

Moreover, users can toggle between work scenarios with a single click by enabling/disabling browsing mode: In browsing mode, all annotation information is presented as pop-ups in the building scene. Users can review the information within the scene, visually inspect annotation descriptions and on-site photos, compare them with the standard practices represented by the BIM model, and engage in business communication through annotation messaging; When browsing mode is turned off, users can control a joystick to freely inspect component engineering information. They can overlay the BIM model onto the actual site for comparative viewing based on augmented reality (AR) mode.

Seamless Cloud Resource Integration for Enhanced On-site Work

Furthermore, Inspector 1.1 optimizes resource viewing strategies, enabling users to easily access 2D/3D resources from the cloud anytime, anywhere, enhancing the user experience. Users can showcase reference resources to specified locations or 3D models in the scene without the cumbersome process of file searching. This addresses the needs of construction sites for reviewing and presenting relevant reference resources during design reviews, design briefings, and acceptance processes.

Users can also associate annotation tasks with corresponding building scenes in FactVerse Services, facilitating rapid viewing and management of annotation entries and exporting annotations in chart format. This module also supports exporting structured data from the processes of building acceptance and construction communication, meeting the Common Data Environment (CDE) requirements in various regions. The comprehensively optimized component operation panel provides a more intuitive view of BIM data information, enabling users to clearly annotate specific components during the acceptance process. The newly added messaging feature allows teams to provide timely feedback on annotations.

Connecting 2D/3D resources from the cloud to the scene projected on-site
Connecting 2D/3D resources from the cloud to the scene projected on-site

Advancing Cloud Resource Processing and Data Access Optimization

Concurrently, FactVerse has upgraded its ability to process building scene resource files. Users can now effortlessly convert original BIM resource files into Inspector-compatible format files with a single click in the cloud, streamlining processes like resource matching, file processing, large-scale model simplification, and scene construction, significantly reducing the complexity of the original toolchain and user operational costs. The newly added universal data format conversion capability allows users to apply BIM file format building scenes to the entire DataMesh product family. Users can also convert imported model resources into formats such as FBX over the cloud, with configurable model optimization available during the process for maximum resource utilization.

Additionally, FactVerse Services now supports data connectivity between the FactVerse platform and Autodesk BIM 360, enabling users to quickly import cloud resources from BIM 360 into the FactVerse resource library and apply them to the DataMesh platform. The integration of FactVerse with other engineering industry cloud platforms facilitates data interoperability, helping a range of users reduce operational costs and fully capitalize on their own cloud assets.

As a gateway to the industrial metaverse platform FactVerse, DataMesh Inspector is committed to enhancing the efficiency and MR experience of construction operations and maintenance in the fields of architecture, engineering, and construction. It achieves this through an innovative 3D+MR visualization of the entire building process, enabling cloud-enabled data in the engineering industry and empowering the entire building lifecycle.

DataMesh Inspector 1.1 is now available on the Apple App Store. Feel free to install and experience it today. For any queries, please contact service@datamesh.com.

DataMesh Director 6.1 Released, Now Supporting Lenovo ThinkReality VRX

We are thrilled to introduce the latest version of our flagship product, DataMesh Director 6.1. As we continue to push the boundaries of 3D+XR process design and corporate training, an important milestone accompanies this release – DataMesh Director is now compatible with Lenovo ThinkReality VRX through the Snapdragon Spaces XR developer platform.

The Lenovo ThinkReality VRX headset delivers exceptional versatility to meet today’s enterprise VR/mixed reality (MR) use cases and expand as new applications like the metaverse evolve with 6DoF experiences and full-color, high-resolution pass-through capabilities, ensuring that users receive a cutting-edge mixed reality experience when using DataMesh Director.

DataMesh Director 6.1 Studio Interface

In collaboration with the Snapdragon Spaces XR developer platform, DataMesh Director has achieved noteworthy improvements in performance and compatibility over the last several months. This includes expanded support for various smart AR glasses, such as the previously announced compatibility with Lenovo ThinkReality A3 and now extending to ThinkReality VRX.

Using DataMesh Director on ThinkReality VRX

Based on the Snapdragon Spaces SDK, DataMesh Director aims to address challenges and achieve compatibility with a broader range of XR devices, and is dedicated to empowering content creators and developers worldwide to transcend the limits of augmented reality, connecting the digital and real worlds, easily bringing their imaginative creations to life.

Snapdragon Spaces is a trademark or registered trademark of Qualcomm Incorporated. Snapdragon Spaces is a product of Qualcomm Technologies, Inc. and/or its subsidiaries.

New Features of DataMesh Director 6.1

The newly released version optimizes existing features and introduces new functionalities to enhance the user experience:

DataMesh One

  • Newly added interactive guidance features.
  • New theme options (black and white) for users to personalize their interface.
  • Sorting options for resource lists and activity lists.

DataMesh Studio

  • Expanded shortcut functionalities.

DataMesh FactVerse Services

  • Layout optimization for the “Details” page of scenarios.
  • Improvement in resource list sorting.

DataMesh Director 6.1 is now available on various app stores. Existing DataMesh SaaS subscribers can upgrade their applications directly. For product trials or partnerships in industrial metaverse building, please contact us via email at service@datamesh.com.

Digital Twin + XR Projection Tour of “TOKYO TORCH/Torch Tower” Successfully Concluded

DataMesh Japan announces the successful implementation of an XR projection tour at the planned site of the “Torch Tower,” a structure reaching approximately 390 meters in height located in the “TOKYO TORCH” block, a project designed by Mitsubishi Jisho Design. The collaboration also involved NTT Communications, NTT QONOQ, and DataMesh.

The XR projection tour aimed at verifying the visualization effects of the planned building through the use of Digital Twin and XR technology, utilized DataMesh Director, which was sold by NTT Communications in Japan. The event, held three times with a total of 75 participants, primarily involved stakeholders from Mitsubishi Jisho Design. The tour utilized 3D design data (BIM) to project the future Torch Tower at the construction site.

Projected TOKYO TORCH Torch Tower with DataMesh Director and verified appearance. Note that this image is as of April 2023 and may undergo changes in the future.

Projected TOKYO TORCH Torch Tower with DataMesh Director and verified appearance. Note that this image is as of April 2023 and may undergo changes in the future.

Background and Effect of the Initiative – Interviews with Stakeholders

Yasuo Oishi (大石保夫) – R&D Promotion Department Manager, Mitsubishi Jisho Design (三菱地所設計/R&D推進部長):

In the R&D Promotion Department, we conduct information gathering, research, and investigations related to new technologies. During discussions with NTT Communications and QONOQ on utilizing XR technology in design tasks, we were introduced to DataMesh’s XR technology and decided to conduct a trial verification.

Traditional design work involves confirming design details using 2D perspectives or models. However, understanding spatial arrangements can be challenging for the general public. By projecting a 3D visualization of the building’s exterior into the actual space using MR technology, it becomes possible for people to see the planned building in real scale from various locations, facilitating easy confirmation of harmony with the surrounding environment.

Moreover, projecting the exterior of the Torch Tower, an ultra-high-rise building, using MR technology enhanced spatial awareness even more than conventional building sizes. Using BIM data for MR projection was anticipated to accelerate and streamline the design process, leading to increased efficiency.

Koju Matsuda (松田貢治) – TOKYO TORCH Design Room Manager, Mitsubishi Jisho Design (三菱地所設計/TOKYO TORCH設計室長):

As societal demands and the role of architects continue to evolve rapidly, there is increased involvement or leadership from clients. Hence, designers have an increased responsibility to convey and explain architecture to clients in a more understandable manner. In the case of the Torch Tower, we have been utilizing BIM to advance the design process.

BIM allows us to share visual recognition of space with clients, even if they cannot read drawings. While traditional landscape simulations involve creating CG or videos for clients to review on large monitors, XR provides a more realistic experience for both clients and designers to share the planned building.

Looking ahead, we anticipate that XR technology will enable sharing of information that was previously challenging to predict, such as the impact of high-rise buildings on wind conditions and changes in the perception of light during disasters. This communication enhancement through XR technology is expected to contribute to the evolution of both parties involved.

Kyoko Hirano (平野暁子) – R&D Promotion Department, DX Promotion Department BIM Promotion Room (concurrent), Architect, Mitsubishi Jisho Design (R&D推進部,DX推進部BIM推進室(兼務),アーキテクト):


The effectiveness of XR lies in the ability to share, in real-time, how the planned building will look once constructed, along with the ambiance of the surroundings. The projection of the Torch Tower allowed us to confirm life-sized images while experiencing the surrounding buildings, cityscape, human and vehicular movement, sunlight, and wind. This made the image of the building more “visible” than previously imagined, allowing us to feel the completed structure more realistically.

During this verification, the data volume of the BIM design data (3D data) was substantial, given the unprecedented scale of the ultra-high-rise building and the project was conducted at the stage of completed design and pre-construction. To ensure smooth projection on an iPad, significant efforts were made to reduce the data volume. Challenges included the inability to include certain obstacles like temporary fences and street trees on the demolition site in the 3D data, resulting in some lack of realism, especially around the base of the building.

Looking forward, we hope that advancements in the efficient lightweighting of data at later design stages and the incorporation of 3D data of existing objects (captured by cameras) will further increase the feeling of realism, expanding the possibilities for utilization.

XR Projection Tour Participant Survey Overview

Survey Details:
Objective: Verification of the effectiveness of visualizing planned buildings through XR utilization.
XR Projection Dates: April 12, 19, and 21, 2023.
Participants: Total 75 participants.
Survey Respondents: 57 individuals (Response rate: 76%).

Note: The original Japanese version of this article was published here.

Interested in more details? Watch the video (Japanese) below for remarks from key stakeholders.