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Software and applications

Software and applications play a crucial role in enhancing immersive learning experiences. Aside from the specialised production software below, there are pick-up-and-play platforms that students and staff have already been using to create engaging content, such as ThingLink. Birkbeck staff have been utilising Thinglink to design interactive 360 learning resources and students have been using the intuitive editing interface to respond to coursework briefs in visual, interactive ways. By leveraging these technologies, students can demonstrate their understanding and skill mastery outside of the traditional essay structure and teachers can help design more engaging and effective resources for students.

Discover the software and applications available in Birkbeck's immersive learning spaces that open fully in October 2025.

A room with green screen and VR equipment on a table

Some of the equipment available for use in our Immersive Learning Studio

Creative and Design Software

  • Adobe Creative cloud

    • Adobe Creative Cloud is a comprehensive suite of software applications and services designed for creative professionals. It includes tools for graphic design, video editing, web development, photography, and more. Some of the popular apps in Creative Cloud are Photoshop, Illustrator, Premiere Pro, After Effects, and InDesign, gaining access to industry-leading software used by professionals worldwide, ensuring you're well-prepared for careers in various fields. 

  • Affinity

    • Affinity software is a suite of creative applications designed for professionals and enthusiasts in graphic design, photo editing, and page layout. Affinity provides award-winning photo editing, page layout, graphic design, and illustration software that is widely used by professionals. The suite includes Affinity Designer, Affinity Photo, and Affinity Publisher. You can use Affinity tools to create everything from digital illustrations and concept art to unique graphics, logos, and web mock-ups.

  • Blender

    • Creative and Design Software Blender is a powerful, open-source 3D creation suite that supports the entire 3D pipeline, including modeling, rigging, animation, simulation, rendering, compositing, and motion tracking. It is widely used by professionals and hobbyists for creating 2D and 3D animated content, visual effects, interactive applications, and video games.

  • DaVinci Resolve Creative and Design Software

    • DaVinci Resolve is a comprehensive software application that combines professional editing, color correction, visual effects, motion graphics, and audio post-production in one tool. It's widely used in the film and television industry due to its high-quality output and powerful features. The software includes advanced features such as AI-driven tools for text-based timeline editing, music remixing, dialogue separation, and UltraNR noise reduction.

  • Marvelous Designer Creative and Design Software

    • Marvelous Designer is a powerful 3D software application used for creating realistic digital clothing and fabric simulations. It is widely recognized for its advanced physics-based simulation capabilities, allowing designers to create intricate details like folds, drapes, and textures with high accuracy. You can develop essential skills in 3D modeling, fashion design, and digital garment creation, which are highly valuable in the fashion and entertainment industries.

  • Quixel Mixer Creative and Design Software

    • Quixel Mixer is a powerful 3D texturing application that allows users to create and customize textures, materials, megascans, surfaces for 3D models and a vast library of high-quality 3D assets. Quixel Mixer can be used across various disciplines, including digital arts, game development, architecture, and engineering, supporting a wide range of academic projects. You can develop essential skills in 3D texturing, material creation, and digital art, which are highly valuable in various industries.

  • Spline Design Creative and Design Software

    • Spline Design is a web-based 3D design tool that allows users to create, collaborate, and interact with 3D models in real-time. It offers features such as 3D modeling, animation, textures, and interactive experiences, making it a versatile tool for various creative projects involving 3D modeling, animation, and interactive design.

  • Audacity Creative and Design Software

    • Audacity is an open-source, multi-track audio editor and recorder that is widely used for its simplicity, versatility, and powerful features. You can use Audacity to create and edit podcasts, which can be a great way to present projects, conduct interviews, or share information on various topics. The software supports a wide range of audio formats and can be used for various tasks, including converting audio files, removing background noise, adjusting pitch and tempo, and more.

 

Educational Software

  • VirtualSpeech

    • VirtualSpeech is an AI-powered platform that uses virtual reality to enhance communication skills through immersive training experiences. It offers courses in public speaking, sales, leadership, and more, providing realistic environments for speech and interview practice.

  • Bodyswaps

    • Bodyswaps is an immersive AI-powered soft skills training platform that uses virtual reality (VR) to help students develop essential communication, leadership, and interview and employability skills.

 

Communication and Collaboration

  • Discord

    • Discord is a communication platform that offers text, voice, and video chat capabilities. It was initially popular among gamers but has since expanded to various communities, including educational institutions. Discord allows students to communicate easily through text, voice, and video channels. This can facilitate better collaboration on group projects, study sessions, and social interactions. Students can create or join servers dedicated to their university, specific courses, clubs, or interests.

 

Scanning and Visualisation

  • Artec scanning software

    • Artec Scanning software (Artec Studio), is a powerful 3D scanning and photogrammetry tool used for creating detailed 3D models, reverse engineering, inspection, and more. It is designed to work seamlessly with Artec 3D scanners and other devices to capture and process high-quality 3D data. Artec Studio helps preserve and digitise historical artifacts. Accurate 3D replicas of fossils, geological formations, and terrains support geology and environmental science can be explored and analysed remotely. This can be particularly beneficial in fields such as engineering, architecture, biology, and archaeology.

  • Sketchfab

    • Sketchfab is a platform for publishing, sharing, and discovering 3D models online. It allows users to upload 3D content and view it in a web browser, making it accessible and interactive. The platform supports augmented reality (AR) and virtual reality (VR), allowing students to create immersive experiences and explore 3D content in new ways.

  • ThingLink

    • ThingLink is an interactive media platform that allows users to create engaging and immersive learning experiences by adding annotations, links, and multimedia to images, videos, and 360-degree virtual tours. Universities can create virtual field trips, allowing students to explore locations and environments that might be difficult or costly to visit in person. This is especially useful for courses in geography, biology, and history. ThingLink includes built-in accessibility features, making it easier for all students, including those with disabilities, to engage with the content. This promotes inclusivity and ensures that learning materials are accessible to everyone.

  • Matterport

    • Matterport is a 3D room scanning technology that creates immersive digital twins of physical spaces. It can be used to create virtual tours of buildings remotely and to create detailed 3D models of historical sites, museums, art galleries, architectural projects, and scientific specimens.

 

Game Development and 3D Modelling 

  • Epic Games

    • The Epic Games store offers a wide range of games, including both Epic Games' own titles and third-party games.

  • Unreal Engine

    • Unreal Engine is a versatile tool used for game development, virtual production, architecture, and more. Students can learn to create high-quality 3D content, gaining skills that are highly sought after in various industries.

  • Reality Capture

    • RealityCapture is a state-of-the-art photogrammetry software developed by Capturing Reality. It allows users to create ultra-realistic 3D models from sets of images and/or laser scans.

  • Postshot

    • Postshot by Jawset is a versatile tool that enables the creation of high-quality 3D models and scenes. Additionally, it provides hands-on experience with advanced machine learning and neural rendering techniques.

  • Unity

    • Unity is a powerful and widely-used real-time 3D development platform that provides users with hands-on experience in creating interactive 3D content.

  • Rokoko Studio

    • Rokoko Studio is a motion capture (mocap) software designed to work with Rokoko's mocap hardware, such as the Smartsuit Pro II, Smartgloves, and Face Capture app. It allows users to capture, edit, and export motion data for use in animation, film, game development, and other creative projects.

  • AccuRig

    • AccuRig is an advanced auto-rigging software that simplifies the process of rigging 3D characters, making it accessible for users of all skill levels. It works well with models created in ZBrush, Blender, and other 3D modeling tools.

 

Utility and Development Tools

  • Visual Studio Code/Visual Studio

    • Visual Studio Code is a lightweight, powerful code editor that is user-friendly and accessible, making it ideal for students who are new to coding. Visual Studio is a comprehensive integrated development environment (IDE) that supports end-to-end development for applications, services, and games. They support multiple programming languages such as Python, C+, Javascript, .NET and many more.

  • GitHub

    • GitHub is a web-based platform used for version control and collaborative software development that allows users to track changes to their code, revert to previous versions, and collaborate with others. GitHub provides tools for collaborative development, including pull requests, code reviews, and issue tracking.

  • Windows Snipping Tool

    • Windows Snipping Tool is a built-in screenshot utility available in Windows. It allows users to capture screenshots of their computer screen in various formats, such as free-form, rectangular, window, and full-screen snips. Students can quickly capture important information from lectures, online resources, and textbooks. This helps in creating visual notes and study materials. The tool is useful for documenting steps, especially for coding, design, and research tasks.

 

Platforms and Marketplace

  • sTeam

    • Steam hosts a variety of educational games and simulations that can enhance learning in many subjects. These various software tools that can be useful for students, including game development tools, design software, and productivity applications.