Google Blocks: An Open-Source 3D Modelling Platform for Virtual Reality

Google has announced that it has made Google Blocks, a 3D modelling platform for virtual reality, an open-source application. This move is aimed at enabling “novel and rich experiences” for users without requiring expert knowledge to use the platform.

Open-source contributors like the Icosa Foundation will now have the freedom to expand the Google Blocks app, similar to what they have done with Tilt Brush, which Google open-sourced in 2021. Mike Nisbet, Unity Engineer at SideQuest and Icosa Foundation Team Member, expressed excitement about the possibilities that lie ahead with Google Blocks, stating, “We’re thrilled to see Blocks join Tilt Brush in being released to the community, allowing another fantastic tool to grow and evolve.”

Icosa Foundation is a global community of developers that create open-source replacements for Tilt Brush and Google Poly. The foundation was established following the news that Google was shutting down its Poly platform, which allowed creators to share and edit works created in Tilt Blocks and Google Blocks.

According to a recent Google Open Source blog post, Google Blocks will no longer be actively developed, and no pull requests will be accepted. However, anyone can use, share, and make changes to the Blocks code, provided they adhere to the Apache 2.0 license under which it has been released.

The version of Google Blocks currently available will continue to be hosted in digital stores for users with supported VR headsets. Google advises those interested in creating their own Blocks experience to first read the build guide and access the source code on Google’s github repo, which contains the archived repository of Google Blocks source code.

Google Blocks was originally introduced in 2017 for the HTC Vive and Oculus Rift. It was designed to allow users of all skill levels to create VR experiences using shapes, colors, and easy-to-use tools, similar to building with children’s blocks. Creations could be exported as OBJ files for use in AR or VR apps, shared on the web, or turned into animated gifs.

Jason Toff, Group Product Manager at Google, introduced Google Blocks as a way to simplify the process of creating compelling VR and AR experiences by allowing users to build 3D objects in virtual reality. The technology has been reviewed by XR Today’s Rebekah Carter, who highlighted both the limitations and benefits of Google Blocks.

Overall, the open-sourcing of Google Blocks is expected to bring new opportunities for innovation and creativity in the virtual reality space, allowing developers and creators to explore and expand the platform in exciting ways.