# VR-BESO: A VR-based structural design tool

<figure><img src="https://1819386414-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2F6X01LI9Sqm2LtuIQnBfY%2Fuploads%2FJT5ErLcQTCrfc5HwpDC7%2FCoverPage_2.png?alt=media&#x26;token=421dc373-5761-436b-80f0-106a87c0096a" alt=""><figcaption></figcaption></figure>

Welcome to the VR-BESO user guide.&#x20;

VR-BESO is a novel interactive structural design tool based on virtual reality (VR) \[1,2]. This tool integrates VR sculpting and topology optimisation techniques to generate innovative, lightweight, and efficient 3D structural designs. VR-BESO allows designers to immersively and intuitively observe and interact with 3D models. By alternatively using VR sculpting and executing topology optimisation, a human–computer collaboration is established to improve the efficiency of design exploration and the quality of optimised structures.

Unique features:

1. Immersive modeling environment
2. Intuitive interaction experience
3. Rich design freedom
4. Iterative design exploration
5. Reliable structural performance

This guide covers all the basics, such as [installation](https://albertlidesign.gitbook.io/vr-beso/vr-beso-a-vr-based-structural-design-tool/installation), [GUI instruction](https://albertlidesign.gitbook.io/vr-beso/gui), and detailed tutorials.&#x20;

Have fun with VR-BESO :)

{% embed url="<https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nrDIFO7Yqw0>" %}

\*Another software related to VR-BESO is called [iBESO](https://albertlidesign.gitbook.io/ibeso), which is used for 2D structural design \[3–6].

### Download

[Windows x64](https://rmit.figshare.com/ndownloader/files/45256264)

### Contents

* [Installation](https://albertlidesign.gitbook.io/vr-beso/vr-beso-a-vr-based-structural-design-tool/installation) – detailed installation instructions
* [GUI](https://albertlidesign.gitbook.io/vr-beso/gui) – a description of the graphic user interface
* [Tutorial](https://albertlidesign.gitbook.io/vr-beso/tutorial) – VR-BESO tutorials

### Authors

[Zhi "Albert" Li](https://www.albertlidesign.com/), [Ting-Uel "Jeff" Lee](https://www.rmit.edu.au/contact/staff-contacts/academic-staff/l/lee-dr-jeff), [Yi Min "Mike" Xie](https://www.rmit.edu.au/contact/staff-contacts/academic-staff/x/xie-mike)

### Acknowledgment

The authors gratefully acknowledge the financial support provided by the Australian Research Council (FL190100014).

### License

VR-BESO is licensed under [Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International (CC BY-NC-ND 4.0)](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0/).

### Reference

\[1] Z. Li, T.-U. Lee, Y.M. Xie, [Interactive 3D structural design in virtual reality using preference-based topology optimization](https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cad.2024.103826), *Computer-Aided Design* 160 (2025) 103532.

\[2] Z. Li, T.-U. Lee and Y. M. Xie, “[Exploring and optimizing innovative structures in virtual reality](https://app.iass2024.org/files/IASS_2024_Paper_45_without_copyright.pdf),” in *Proceedings of the IASS Annual Symposium 2024: Redefining the Art of Structural Design*, Zurich, Switzerland, Aug. 25–30, P. Block, G. Boller, C. D. Wolf, J. Pauli and W. Kaufmann (Eds.), 2024, pp. 1–10.

\[3] Z. Li, T.-U. Lee, Y. M. Xie, "[Interactive structural topology optimization with subjective scoring and drawing systems](https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0010448523000647)," *Computer-Aided Design*, vol. 160 (2023) 103532.

\[4] Z. Li, T.-U. Lee and Y. M. Xie, “[Topology optimisation considering subjective preferences: current progress and challenges](https://www.researchgate.net/publication/372473624_Topology_optimisation_considering_subjective_preferences_current_progress_and_challenges),” in *Proceedings of the IASS Annual Symposium 2023: Integration of Design and Fabrication*, Melbourne, Australia, Jul. 10–14, 2023, Y. M. Xie, J. Burry, T.-U. Lee and J. Ma (Eds.), 2023, pp. 2430–2440.

\[5] Z. Li, T.-U. Lee, Y.M. Xie, [iBESO: An interactive topology optimization design tool](https://rmit.figshare.com/articles/code/iBESO/22560256/2), RMIT University (Apr 2023).

\[6] Z. Li, [Interactive Structural Topology Optimisation Considering Subjective Preferences](https://doi.org/10.25439/rmt.27288291), RMIT University, 2024.

### BibTex

```
@article{Li2024VRBESO,
author = "Zhi Li and Ting-Uei Lee and Yi Min Xie",
title = "{VR-BESO: A VR-based structural design tool}",
year = "2024",
month = "3",
url = "https://rmit.figshare.com/articles/dataset/VR-BESO_A_VR-based_structural_design_tool/25469278",
doi = "10.25439/rmt.25469278.v1"
}
```