Theia Interactive has created award-winning visualizations for hundreds of enterprise clients (including many Fortune 500 companies) in industries spanning automotive, aerospace, manufactured products, and architecture, engineering, and construction (AEC). Theia is known for pioneering the use of real-time rendering for non-game mixed reality and interactive development. It also specializes in creating custom configurators designed for viewing a broad range of design options in interior spaces, such as hotel rooms or office environments.
Previously, the Theia team used static or built lighting to make images look as realistic as possible. However, using a configurator in a built environment presents multiple challenges including 3D meshes changing shape, shadows not lining up, and materials reflecting different lighting and colors. Because the lighting is baked in, it’s difficult to test out multiple lighting scenarios.
Theia could have pre-baked all of the configurator customization options, but that would have resulted in thousands of configurations for custom models. So pre-baking all of those options would have been nearly impossible. The team needed a solution that increased efficiency and productivity while allowing them to produce photorealistic imagery.
Theia Interactive looked to NVIDIA for a solution and integrated NVIDIA Deep Learning Super Sampling (DLSS) and RTX Global Illumination (RTXGI) into the custom configurator. This allowed teams to view models in any lighting environment in real time.
DLSS is an AI-powered technology that boosts frame rates and generates sharp images. RTXGI renders accurate, multi-bounce, indirect lighting without bake times, light leaks, or exceed performance requirements.
“With NVIDIA DLSS and RTXGI, we can now easily evaluate scenes and use the dynamic aspects of lighting. We’re able to work faster and therefore, accept more projects,” said Matt Shouse, Chief Operating Officer at Theia Interactive.
With NVIDIA technologies, Theia can respond to requests immediately during reviews and make a variety of lighting changes on the spot. Previously, it could take Theia two days to respond to client requests.
“RTXGI was easy to install, and immediately enhanced performance. And DLSS makes real-time ray tracing possible. Being able to switch to DLSS on the fly is incredibly helpful,” Shouse said.
By integrating these NVIDIA technologies, the team has reduced the time it takes for ray tracing and rendering, which means they have more time for faster iterations, and can easily explore different lighting scenarios without baking.
To learn more about how RTX can improve your workflow, tune into GTC this November to hear about the latest updates coming to NVIDIA technologies.
