At Trinity Animation, pushing the boundaries of visualization is at the core of what we do. Our recent project is a perfect example of how we apply our 3D and animation expertise to new technologies. When a long-time acquaintance of our owner, Jim Lammers, needed a more responsive and reliable virtual reality solution for a complex industrial system, the opportunity emerged to transform an outdated experience into a powerful tool. That request set the stage for a complete rebuild of their industrial VR visualization environment.

What the Client Needed

The client manufactures industrial equipment that converts low-value linear hydrocarbon molecules into high-value branched components used to create cleaner, better-performing gasoline. In simple terms, their system takes basic raw molecules and rearranges them into a superior fuel additive that improves both performance and emissions.

They had already invested in a real-time VR experience built by another vendor. Unfortunately, it was slow, unresponsive, and lacked the support their team needed. They wanted a VR tool that their engineers and customers could rely on for training, demonstrations, and technical understanding. That is where Trinity Animation stepped in.

Why Trinity Animation Was the Right Partner

While our studio is best known for high-end 3D animation and rendering using 3ds Max and V-Ray, we also have years of experience delivering real-time and interactive projects. These include medical VR environments, furniture configurators, and interior visualization tools.

Our team’s versatility, deep technical understanding, and ability to blend artistry with engineering made us uniquely suited for this industrial VR visualization challenge. We are problem solvers who thrive in unfamiliar territory, and this project played directly to that strength.

Our Approach to Rebuilding the Industrial VR Visualization

Rebuilding the Experience from the Ground Up

The client’s old VR system had been created in Unity. Our team primarily uses Unreal Engine for real-time work, which meant starting from scratch. This allowed us to rebuild the experience using the latest tools and best practices.

Step-by-Step Production Process

1. Reverse-engineering the original experience
We visually analyzed the Unity build to understand layout, interaction flow, and the educational goals behind the experience.

2. Preparing CAD models for real-time use
The client provided detailed STEP files. We imported them into 3ds Max, assembled the components, and assigned optimized materials suitable for smooth VR performance.

3. Exporting optimized geometry into Unreal Engine
Once organized in 3ds Max, the assets were cleaned and exported to ensure optimal performance inside Unreal.

4. Building interactivity using Blueprints
Instead of writing code, we used Unreal’s Blueprint system to create all user interactions. Buttons, toggles, VR controller inputs, camera transitions, and data panels were built visually, allowing our artist-driven team to implement complex logic quickly and efficiently.

5. Fine-tuning the VR experience
We optimized materials for headset readability and ensured performance was smooth on the Meta Quest 3. Every detail was polished to support clarity and user comfort.

Challenges We Solved Along the Way

Transitioning from Unity to Unreal

Instead of porting code, we studied the old experience and rebuilt functionality from scratch in Unreal for a stable and maintainable result.

Translating Industrial CAD Models

CAD models are precise but extremely heavy. We retopologized and optimized the assets for real-time use without sacrificing accuracy.

Building Complex Logic Without Programmers

Most of our team consists of artists, not software engineers. Unreal Blueprints allowed us to bring advanced interactivity to life without writing code.

Providing the Support the Client Previously Lacked

A major pain point for the client was slow vendor response times. We implemented clear communication cycles and rapid iteration, ensuring they always saw progress and felt supported.

The Final Result

The finished product is a real-time, interactive VR experience rebuilt entirely in Unreal Engine. Engineers can explore machinery at full scale, inspect individual components, understand processes visually, and navigate the system in a clear and intuitive way.

The client now has a fast, reliable, maintainable industrial VR visualization tool backed by a vendor who responds quickly and understands their workflow.

Looking Ahead

This project showcases the core of what Trinity Animation excels at. We take our deep roots in 3D animation and visualization and apply them to emerging technologies in meaningful, practical ways. Rebuilding a mission-critical VR system from scratch was not a typical assignment, but it allowed us to grow, innovate, and deliver real value.

We are excited to continue pioneering industrial VR visualization and helping clients bring their most complex ideas to life.

Do you need a virtual tour created for your architectural concepts? Send us a message and let’s chat! 

Phone: 816-525-0103

Email: sales@trinityanimation.com

Click Here to Submit a Project Request