A new open-access article, “3D As-Built Environments in Extended Reality Applications: A Systematic Review”, has been published in The Photogrammetric Record.

The article provides a detailed overview of how real-world 3D environments are integrated into Extended Reality (XR) applications, from the first stages of data acquisition to modeling, visualization and user interaction. By analysing 96 journal publications, the review highlights the growing importance of technologies such as photogrammetry, LiDAR, RGB-D cameras, BIM, CAD, game engines, artificial intelligence and multi-sensor fusion in the development of immersive XR systems.

Exploring the full XR workflow

The publication looks at the different steps involved in creating 3D as-built environments for XR applications. This includes the methods used to collect 3D data, the integration of BIM, CAD and scanned data, and the visualization of environments through VR, AR and MR devices.

It also examines how users interact with these immersive environments, including through gestures, gaze, voice, controllers and haptic technologies.

Key challenges for future development

While XR technologies are increasingly used across sectors such as construction, infrastructure, cultural heritage, urban planning and digital twins, the article also points to several barriers that still need to be addressed.

These include interoperability issues, bandwidth limitations, the need for more automation, high implementation costs and limited open-source solutions. By identifying these challenges, the review provides useful insights for researchers, practitioners and technology developers working on the future of XR applications.

Congratulations to Jesús Balado, Yu Feng, Zhouyan Qiu, Weixiao Gao and Arttu Julin on this important contribution to the field.

The full open-access article is available here :
https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/phor.70046