## 3 Market Research: Current State of Immersive Technologies in Industrial Design
### Available Resources of Immersive Tools for Industrial Design
#### 3.2.2 Analysis of Software for Immersive Design  
The available software for working in immersive environments is analysed in the following. This section aims to understand how VR, AR, and MR technologies are implemented in the industrial design process through software. These tools expand the creative and collaborative capabilities of designers. They also enable the integration of new methodologies focused on spatial experience, real-time interaction, and three-dimensional product validation. The evolution of this type of software has produced specialised tools for spatial sketching, technical review, interactive simulation, and remote collaboration. Immersive software can be classified into five categories according to its primary purpose (Table 5): (1) 3D sketching and sculpting; (2) technical modelling and CAD review; (3) collaborative design; (4) interactive simulation and animation; (5) augmented visualisation. One of the most widely used types of immersive software is 3D sketching. This practice transfers the freedom of manual drawing to the three-dimensional environment. Through natural gestures, spatial strokes are generated at full scale. A prominent example is 'Gravity Sketch' [68], one of the most established platforms, used by professionals in product, automotive, and footwear design worldwide. Its compatibility with wireless headsets, such as 'Meta Quest', and its accessible learning curve, based on a visual and gesture-driven interface, have facilitated its adoption in both professional and educational contexts. 'Autodesk Alias Create VR' [70] also incorporates 3D sketching as part of the technical surface modelling workflow. This type of software supports the transition from sketching to modelling. There is also the option of creating models directly through a 3D sculpting approach. This involves intuitively and gesturally shaping or manipulating 3D forms using haptic controllers as if working with a physical material. An example of suitable software for this is 'Adobe Substance 3D Modeler' [69]. Overall, this type of software is highly suitable for the early stages of conceptual design. Some platforms allow for the visualisation, editing, or review of parametric models directly within virtual environments. 'Mindesk' [72] stands out for offering native integration with 'Rhinoceros' and 'Solidworks'. It is possible to work on the original model in real time without the need for prior export. This is suitable in cases where geometric precision must be maintained and multidisciplinary teams are involved, combining engineering and design. Although technically demanding, it preserves model fidelity in VR environments. Another example is 'Autodesk Alias Create VR' [70], which enables surface modelling in VR with industrial-level precision. Its approach is clearly orientated towards the automotive and transportation industries, where surfaces require visual assessment that immersive environments can effectively provide. The evolution and integration of collaborative processes across all areas have supported the development of immersive platforms that incorporate such capabilities. 'ShapesXR' [73] is one of the most prominent. It is an application for conceptual design applied to product development, primarily focused on rapid prototyping and collaborative design. Multiple users can share sessions, comment on models, modify geometries, and cre