# VR as a 3D Modelling Tool in Engineering Design Applications
## 3 Results
### Research Study: VR 3D Modelling Results
#### 3.2.2 Questionnaire after Modelling
In VR the spatial perception of the model is easier because of the more'realistic' view of the model.\"  
At the end of the questionnaire, the participants were asked in which stages of the design process related to 3D modelling they find the VR technology the most useful (Figure 11). Most participants think that VR is best to be used for sketching and conceptualising, more than half think it is suitable for product/component form creation, while only a few of them think it can be useful for detail and final design. Participants P1 and P2 reflected on the'more realistic' perception of the model in VR: \"In VR environment it is \begin{table}
\begin{tabular}{c c c} \hline \hline \multicolumn{1}{c}{1.} & For freeform modelling I would rather use VR than traditional modelling. \\ \hline P1 & I don’t know & Certain things are easier in VR, even though I have more experience with classical (desktop) modelling. \\ \hline P2 & I don’t know & It is useful, but it very much depends on the purpose. VR does not have the functionalities for numerical simulations etc. and for more detailed analyses I would rather decide for traditional modelling(desktop). \\ \hline P3 & Yes & Faster and simpler. \\ \hline P4 & I don’t know & It might be faster to use for visualizing some rough ideas, which could later be edited and finalized in a traditional modeller (desktop). \\ \hline P5 & Yes & Faster and more fun. \\ \hline P6 & Yes & Easier editing of the freeform shapes. \\ \hline P7 & I don’t know & Depends on the application: For reverse engineering of the object, I would rather use classical tools because it seems to me that they enable for more control. For designing from scratch, I would rather use VR because it enables more freedom, better perception of the details, it is more intuitive... \\ \hline
2. Is freeform modelling easier for you in the VR environment than in a desktop modeller? \\ \hline P1 & I don’t know & The same answer as before, current experience in desktop modeller. \\ \hline P2 & Yes & Because the vertices are more simply positioned and enable easier control of the movement in the 3D space. \\ \hline P3 & Yes & VR modeler(interface) enables interaction with the model directly in three dimensions. \\ \hline P4 & Yes & Creating and forming the surface is faster, it is easier to move around the model-turning of the model and moving the control points. \\ \hline P5 & Yes & VR is more intuitive. \\ \hline P6 & Yes & Because it is easier to edit the freeform surfaces. \\ \hline P7 & Yes & There are fewer problems/errors that there would be in the desktop modeller, everything somehow \\ \hline \hline \end{tabular}
\end{table} 
Table 6: Participants’ statements about 3D freeform modelling using VR technology. easier to match the contour of the imported image and to do the detailing of the surface, because you see it'more realistic'' (P1) and \"I think that in 3D modelling creating the rough shape of products is better in the desktop modellers, on the computer. For sketching, conceptualising and design (industrial) it is better if we can see the product model in the'realistic' form.'' (P2). Three participants mentioned that VR enables faster modelling but recognize this advantage mostly in the phase of sketching, conceptualisation, and rough form creation: \"For more rough initial ideas it is definitely better to use VR because it enables fast, even though not very precise, modelling.\" (P3), \"Build-up of the model is pretty fast, but there is not enough control over the details (curvature comb, normal to the surface, elements' relations...)\" (P4), \"Sketching, i.e., creating rough forms is faster in VR than in a desktop modeller. In remaining two (design) phases there are not enough functions available for appropriate phase completion.\" (P6). Participant P5 stated \"Application for (industrial) design is definitely better with VR\", where he referred to the usability of VR for earlier design phases and more complex freeform geometry creation.