Product design has always been a team sport that requires clear communication, shared understanding, and fast decision-making. But when teams are remote, global, or cross-disciplinary, those goals often clash with the reality of static 2D drawings, siloed workflows, and countless revision cycles.
That’s where Extended Reality (XR), which includes Virtual Reality (VR) and Augmented Reality (AR), steps in as a game-changer. XR isn't just for gaming anymore. It's becoming a core part of how next-gen engineering teams visualize, review, and collaborate on product designs.
Why Traditional Collaboration Falls Short
While CAD and PLM tools have matured, they rely heavily on screens, files, and asynchronous feedback. Engineers and designers must imagine what a model looks like in the real world, interpret screenshots, and explain changes across long email chains.
The result? Misalignment, miscommunication, and missed opportunities.
Now imagine stepping inside your design; walking around it, viewing it from every angle, and reviewing changes in real time with your colleagues, whether across the room or the world. That’s what XR enables.
SOLIDWORKS + XR: Bridging CAD and Immersive Experience
SOLIDWORKS XR Exporters allow product designers to export CAD models directly into immersive 3D environments, compatible with VR and AR platforms. This opens up a whole new dimension for collaboration:
- View assemblies in actual scale
- Identify clearance or ergonomics issues early
- Present concepts to clients in a more engaging way
- Simulate installation or maintenance procedures in 3D
According to the official SOLIDWORKS blog, XR integrations now support mainstream platforms like Meta Quest, HTC Vive, and Microsoft HoloLens, making it easier to deploy immersive design reviews without extra overhead.
Source: SOLIDWORKS Blog – Extended Reality (XR)
Real-World Example: Collins Aerospace and Campfire
One compelling case is Collins Aerospace, a leading aerospace supplier. They use Campfire, an XR collaboration platform, to review 3D models across teams using a combination of headsets and shared augmented visuals. This approach enables faster feedback loops, fewer physical prototypes, and better team alignment.
“Design reviews that once took weeks are now happening in days,” notes a Campfire executive in an interview with Business Insider.
Source: Business Insider – How XR is changing aerospace collaboration
Final Thoughts
As product development becomes more distributed and complex, the need for intuitive, real-time collaboration tools is more urgent than ever. XR is no longer a futuristic add-on; it’s a competitive edge.
Teams collaborating in 3D make faster decisions, spot problems earlier, and communicate clearly. If you're still stuck on screens, it's time to step inside your design.
How Treknocom Helps You Work in 3D
At Treknocom, we help companies bring immersive collaboration into their product design process, without disrupting existing workflows. We offer:
- XR-ready CAD modeling and optimization
- Support for integration with Meta Quest, HoloLens, and Campfire platforms
- Consultation for immersive design reviews and virtual prototyping
Whether you're in automotive, aerospace, or industrial equipment, we can help you experience your designs before they’re real.
References
- SOLIDWORKS Blog – XR for Immersive Design https://blogs.solidworks.com/solidworksblog/2023/12/unleashing-the-future-solidworks-extended-reality-xr-a-dive-into-immersive-3d-experiences.html
- Business Insider – Campfire + Collins Aerospace Case Study https://www.businessinsider.com/campfire-augmented-virtual-reality-collaboration-platform-collins-aerospace-2025-5
