Wave 1 - Save/Load, Layers, Interaction

In release wave 1, we've redesigned the user experience and introduced new methods of interacting with Holograms. With these new interactions, we're able to build more sophisticated interfaces, allowing for better data manipulation such as turning on and off model layers.

What to test in this release:

Interactions / UI

The input methods and user-interface has been given an overhaul, with the goals:

1. Support hand interaction more clearly. You now use rays cast from your hands to interact with the holographic world.
2. Make basic operations clearer - this means scale/rotate/place all have UI and a close button.
3. Allow floating panels for frequently accessed items, such as Layers, that persist in the scene
4. Allow clearer customization of settings (such as Environment on/off)
5. Allow submission of reports and issues directly from devices.

Saving and Loading Models

Once you're connected to Rhino, you'll have the opportunity to save models on the device. You can then load the model without a Rhino connection, and you'll still be able to modify things like layers and scale. You'll also have the assurance that things will behave as expected when visiting a new environment where you might not have the network access you expect, such as a client demonstration.

Layers

Layers are now fully supported in FologramNEXT! You can open a layers panel and change layer states. When you're connected to Rhino, the layers will also be synchronized with other devices.

Manipulate Objects

 We've improved the default interaction method by switching to hand rays. This means that you can use your hands to interact with holograms, grabbing with one hand to move, or both hands to scale and rotate. While this isn't an effective tool for precision modelling (that's what Rhino is for!) it's a great way to rough things out.

Rhino 6 for Mac support

We've added support for Rhino 6 for Mac. 

(Coming soon...)

What you can't do in this release:

We're re-working and simplifying some of the features that exist in the current public release of Fologram, so some of these features will not be included just yet.

The following features are intended for future release waves:

1. Grasshopper integration
2. Dynamic synchronization (HoloLens)
3. QR/Image placement
4. Mobile integration

Reporting Issues

Please submit issue reports, and let us know how you're finding FologramNEXT! 

1. If you encounter an issue on the HoloLens (such as a UI issue, performance issue, connection issue), please use the HoloLens in-app ticket system to submit a report. This way we get diagnostic information and it's more likely we'll be able to reproduce and solve the issue you encountered. We know typing on the HoloLens can be tedious, so you can keep the text brief and we'll follow up via email if we need more information.
2. If you encounter an issue in Rhino or you have feature requests, ideas, you can submit a report from within Rhino. You'll also get a follow up email where you can attach files if required.
3. You can also use the online ticketing system at fologram.com/support.

What to be aware of when testing this release:

1. The framework is still subject to change, and it's possible that models that you save may not be able to be loaded in future beta releases.
2. As this is an early-access release and you may encounter unresolved issues/bugs. It's not recommended that you use a beta release for mission-critical work or presentations.