Virtual Reality-Based Virtual Tour of College Using Unity 3D and Unreal Engine

Virtual Reality

In the digital world of this era, virtual reality is changing the way we explore colleges. The virtual college tour gives a walkthrough to the students and parents of the campus from their residence. They walk through the area with VR headsets. Do you know how it is possible? It is possible through the Unity and Unreal engines. The blog will explain to you about the VR college tour, its importance and how experts use these tools.

What is a VR-Based College Tour?

Virtual reality-based college tours give you a 3D walkthrough of your campus. You can explore the college elements like buildings, classrooms, hostels and libraries. The VR headsets will take you to every virtual place. These tours can be explored on desktops and mobile phones.

• The 360-degree tour gives an immersive experience.

• explore classrooms, libraries, hostels, and more from anywhere,

• simulate a real campus visit with Audio guides

• Interactive elements.

• Faculty or student avatars for realistic engagement.

• Modern marketing tools to attract tech-savvy students.

  
  

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Why Do Colleges Use VR Tours?

Virtual reality technology will help colleges with smart studies, better engagement. Here are some reasons why colleges use VR tours. 

1. Remote Access

Remote access saves time and travel costs. Colleges use it to save time and cost.

2. Safe Exploration

During any tragedy or any pandemic, virtual tours are a safe exploration.

3. Better Engagement

A virtual reality-based tour has better engagement than watching videos. 

4. Showcase Facilities

With the help of VR colleges and universities can show labs, hostels and so on in 3D versions.

5. 24/7 Availability

A VR tour is available 24/7. There is no need to wait for open days. 

Tools Used to Create VR College Tours

Developers use game engines to create virtual tours. 

Unity 

Unity 3D is an accessible platform that is especially for beginners.  This game engine creates 2D and 3D experiences. It is available for VR, AR, and mobile platforms.

Unreal Engine

Unreal Engine is used for AAA games. It is an advanced game engine. They are best for highly realistic quality. The engine creates high-quality graphics, films and architecture.

Key Features of a VR College Tour

The key features of virtual reality technology in college tours include:

• 3D models of buildings and classrooms

• Interactive navigation

• Avatars or first-person view

• Audio guides or voiceovers

• Pop-up information 

• Day/night or seasonal effects

• Cross-platform compatibility.

  
  

Steps to Create a VR College Tour Using Unity or Unreal

Here’s a step-by-step guide on how developers build a VR tour using Unity or Unreal:

Step 1: Collect Reference Material

Before starting, developers gather:

• Campus blueprints or maps

• Photos and videos of key areas

• Information about departments, hostels, and labs

• College branding

  
  

Step 2: 3D Modelling of the Campus

The 3D modelling of the campus is done with high-quality software such as Blender, SketchUp and Maya. These will create buildings, roads and many other realistic things that should be available. These 3D models are imported into Unity or Unreal Engine.

Step 3: Set Up the Project in Unity or Unreal

The developer creates a new project in either game engines:

Unity

• Use URP for better graphics.

• Import 3D assets 

• Add lighting, skyboxes, and terrain

  
  

Unreal

• Use high-end materials for realism

• Import assets into the level editor

• Add realistic lighting, shadows, and reflections

  
  

Step 4: Add Player Controls

Developers enable different ways to move in the tour:

• First-person walking.

• Teleportation for VR headsets

• Mouse drag or touch swipe on mobiles.

  
  

Step 5: Add Interactions and Info

Developers add many services in the lab and canteen areas:

• Hotspots are clickable icons showing extra info or videos

• Voice-over guides for explanations

• Signboards or pop-up panels showing ads, Interactions, and Info

  
  

Step 6: Optimise for Devices

The experience must work smoothly on all devices:

• Lower graphics but fast loading on mobiles.

• Medium to high graphics for desktop.

• High graphics and motion controls.

  
  

Advantages of Using Unity for College VR Tours

• Easy to learn and use

• Large community support

• Works well on mobile and VR

• Quick development for small to medium campuses

• Good balance of quality and performance

  
  

Advantages of Using Unreal Engine for VR Tours

• Best graphics quality

• Suitable for high-end colleges or universities

• Built-in photorealistic lighting

• Advanced animation and physics features

• Ideal for cinematic VR tours

  
  

Challenges in Creating a VR College Tour

The challenges in creating a VR tour are mentioned below:

Challenge	Description
High Development Cost	Requires investment in tools, software, and talent.
Technical Expertise Required	Skilled professionals are needed for 3D modelling, programming, and animation.
Hardware Limitations	Not all students have access to VR headsets or compatible devices.
Large File Sizes	VR content can be heavy, leading to slow loading or compatibility issues.
Time-Consuming Production	Capturing, editing, and rendering VR content takes significant time.
Regular Updates	The tour needs frequent updates to reflect new infrastructure or course offerings.
Internet Connectivity	VR tours may require fast, stable internet, which is not always available to all users.
User Experience Optimisation	Ensuring the tour is smooth, interactive, and user-friendly can be challenging.
Accessibility Concerns	Making VR content accessible to users with disabilities requires extra effort.
Integration with College Website/Apps	Embedding VR tours into existing platforms may require custom development work.

Future of VR in College Admissions

In the future, students might:

• Attend virtual open houses

• Have AI tour guides in VR

• Interact with virtual professors

• Explore campus life in real-time 3D.

  
  

What are the 3 Types of Virtual Reality?

The three types of virtual reality are:

1. Non-immersive VR

• Involves a virtual environment viewed on a screen

• Users interact using a controller.

• Common in video games and simulations.

• Example: Playing a car driving simulator on a PC.

  
  

2. Semi-immersive VR

• Provides immersion with 3D environments.

• uses large screens, projectors, or motion-sensing devices

• Aware of physical surroundings.

• Example: Flight simulators used in pilot training.

  
  

2. Fully immersive VR

• Complete virtual experience using VR headsets.

• Users feel physically "inside" the virtual environment.

• Includes visual, sound, and motion feedback

• Example: Exploring a virtual world using a Meta Quest.

  
  

Which Virtual Reality is good? 

It depends on what type of experience you want. 

• If you want the most realistic experience, fully immersive VR is for you.

• If you want a moderate experience at a lower cost, semi-immersive VR is best.

• No immersive VR is for a low-cost experience.

  
  

Conclusion

Virtual reality is a technology that gives virtual tours. The tools Unity 3D and Unreal engines help to create authentic and collective experiences. Alternatively, the Unreal game engine works on impressive visuals and execution. In conclusion, each game engine, Unity and Unreal, is capable. Unity is accessible and absolute for indie developers and smaller projects. It is especially for advanced games and more intricate games. These game engines help from many perspectives. VR tours increase engagement and give a bright future. Nowadays, universities and Colleges adopt the technology that gives immersive experiences.