There's nothing quite like a move that improves value, whether it's adding more to a package or just bringing new features to a pre-existing product. Limitless Computing Inc. has caught on to that exact idea with its new release for Trimble SketchUp known as SightSpace View, a plugin and companion app that will give SketchUp some extra firepower in a field that's fairly full of competitors.

Limitless Computing is a name that's fairly well known when it comes to mobile augmented reality, a field that's been increasingly making gains of late thanks to its ability to provide value in things like navigation. But Limitless Computing has augmented its own entry in this field with the SightSpace View system, which allows users to connect Quick Response (QR) codes to SketchUp models. With that connection made, users can then scan the QR code in question using the SightSpace View mobile app—on either Android (News - Alert) or iOS—and the model created on SketchUp will essentially appear in the real world, right on top of the QR code in question.

Limitless Computing plans to show off SightSpace View at the upcoming SketchUp 3D Basecamp 2014 events in Colorado, but for those who can't get out to Colorado for the event, the companion app in question can come to users thanks to a free download hosted at Limitless Computing's website. Limitless Computing's president, Dr. Errin T. Weller, offered up some comment on the release, saying “SightSpace View is an exceptionally impactful marketing tool and an effective way to use 3D content to drive sales, check construction progress, share models, and build brand recognition. This truly is Augmented Reality for everyone.”

While many users may not be currently turning to 3D content to drive sales and build brand recognition, it is a pretty good idea all the same, especially for those brick-and-mortar businesses which depend on tourist trade. It's one thing for the locals to know where the business is, but it's entirely another for those who may never have been to the town in question to know where it is. Getting in on an augmented reality system could be just the help people need to find a particular point of interest. We've already seen the kind of value that can be had when mobile augmented reality is put to use in a navigation front—it may be the single best argument for allowing the use of Google Glass while driving, since it allows users to get turn-by-turn directions without having to remove attention from the road—so bringing in 3D models to those displays could be a big help indeed for businesses who want mobile augmented reality users to come into the various shops.

Limitless Computing may be on to something with this, and while only time will tell just how well it catches on in the end, there should still be plenty of interest, and plenty of users ready to get in on adding 3D models to a mobile augmented reality experience.