Pixvana Launches First End-to-End Cloud-Based VR Platform with In-Headset Creative Tools to Make VR Videos in VR

Groundbreaking Platform Allows Creators to Work and Add Interactivity in a VR Native Environment and Provides a Complete Toolset to Streamline Post Production Processes

SEATTLE--()--Pixvana, a company powering the future of XR (VR/AR/MR) storytelling and immersive media, today announced the full release of SPIN Studio, the industry’s only end-to-end VR platform for editing, creating and distributing high-quality VR video content. For the first time ever, VR creators can easily build interactive story experiences using hands-on tools that work with natural gestures and actions, all from within the headset. In addition, creators gain access to some of the industry's fastest tools to expedite processes, from camera upload to image editing, stitching, and distribution.

“We are bringing to market the first complete set of cloud-based VR tools, with the capability of creating and editing in a virtual environment, making it easier than ever to build immersive VR experiences,” said Forest Key, Co-Founder and CEO of Pixvana. “With this release, we’ve completely reimagined the way people create interactive stories, and made it possible for them to unlock the real potential of VR media. Both expert and novice creators can now make VR video experiences and engage with audiences in more powerful ways - enlivening events, presentations, classrooms, tours and more.”

Among the most exciting platform innovation is the industry's first set of hands-on design tools that help creators quickly combine media into interactive stories from a VR native environment. While paired and donning the Oculus Rift, creators use natural gestures and actions to place media and develop experiences in a WYSIWYG interface. From within the headset, creators can easily sequence linear stories from their VR playlist, connect scenes in branching timelines for more complex stories, add interactive hotspots to guide the user’s gaze, incorporate hotspot actions (cue picture on gaze, jump to new scenes, trigger 3D audio effects), add graphic overlays and logos, and more.

Pixvana is also launching its new stitcher as part of SPIN Studio, allowing creators to turn multiple video files into an immersive story experience with just a few clicks. Unlike most stitchers, SPIN Studio renders masters at 8K+ resolution in the cloud. Using a computational grid to render output, the entire stitching process is completed in about half the time it takes a high-performance desktop application.

“8K is the future. With it comes incredible benefits, but the sheer volume of data still poses challenges,” said Jason Paul, general manager of Gaming Software and Virtual Reality at NVIDIA. “With NVIDIA’s VRWorks 360 SDK, the SPIN Studio solution for rendering 8K in the cloud simplifies the workflow, making 8K more accessible to many content creators.”

In addition to state-of-the-art editing and creation tools, SPIN Studio also provides VR Casting for easy sharing. Using the simple “pair-and-share” feature or sending a share key, creators can securely deliver their high quality resolution content to viewers around the world via streaming or download, with no coding required. Content can be targeted to a single headset or dozens, and across 360/VR enabled platforms.

“Pixvana recognized the pain in managing VR video production early on,” said Paul Lundahl, Co-Founder and Creative Director of Emotion Studios, a Bay Area creative agency focused on digital storytelling. “They focused on the hard problems and developed a bulletproof technology stack, all in the cloud, with tools that are effortless to understand and use. Pixvana has built a platform that is indispensable for the production of our VR films. From ingest, to stitching, simple editing, adding interactivity, color-grading, and publishing – we have one cloud-based portal to manage all of our productions. I’m thrilled with the quality level they are helping us to deliver, and confident they are already building for where we are headed. No company has come close to competing with what they provide, and we’ll be with them for the long haul.”

The complete end-to-end SPIN Studio feature set includes:

  • VR Video Upload - Get raw files into the cloud quickly using a camera-agnostic uploader tool.
  • Asset Organization - Easily manage VR video assets, including 2D and 360-degree photos and audio tracks from the cloud-based CMS.
  • VR Video Editing - Level horizons and tweak color for lifelike results, automatically or with quick manual adjustments.
  • VR Video Stitching - Stitch perfect XR masters in 8K+ resolution.
  • In-Headset Creation - Work directly in the headset to build immersive experiences, with interactivity; add graphics, pictures, hotspots, sounds, text and more.
  • VR Video Sharing - One-click VR casting capability for sending optimized videos to select headsets anywhere in the world, or for publishing to Steam or YouTube.
  • SPIN Play - The app that brings it all together, from in-headset creation to easy video sharing. When used in “creation mode”, running on the Oculus Rift, the app lets you move content easily in 3D and has the power to place media spatially with a flick of the wrist.

SPIN Studio is compatible with many devices including Oculus Go and Rift, Samsung Gear VR, Google Daydream, and HTC Vive. Start creating your next VR video experiences today by signing up for a free trial of SPIN Studio.

About Pixvana

Pixvana is a Seattle-based SaaS startup that powers the future of XR storytelling and immersive media. SPIN Studio from Pixvana is the first integrated platform that transforms the way customers edit, create and show VR video experiences across any device, anywhere. The company is venture-backed by Vulcan Capital, Madrona Venture Group, Microsoft, Cisco, Raine and Hearst Ventures. Pixvana’s founders have proven startup success in media technology, and hail from senior product and engineering leadership roles at Apple, Adobe, Microsoft, and Lucasfilm. For more information visit www.pixvana.com.

Contacts

Tailwind Public Relations
Jeff Pecor, 802-497-1932
jeff@tailwindpr.com

Contacts

Tailwind Public Relations
Jeff Pecor, 802-497-1932
jeff@tailwindpr.com