Over the years, I've occasionally encountered the notion that the 3D engine is a decisive factor in the development of a training simulator, likely because it's usually the first feature that catches the eye. One might even get the impression that modern tools like Unity 3D or Unreal Engine, with all their functionalities, could suffice to develop a complete training system. The fact is, they allow for the rapid creation of a functional prototype showcasing an attractive 3D environment coupled with some interactions and animations. However, unless one limits themselves to developing a proof of concept, these modern platforms derived from video games fall far short of addressing all the challenges involved in developing a simulator. While visual realism greatly contributes to the adoption of a trainer or virtual simulator, the graphical component is neither the most significant in development costs nor the most critical in achieving educational objectives. Moreover, despite all the features and tools that 3D engines offer in terms of graphical realism, data processing, and graphical programming, and despite efforts to make them easier to use, they remain development tools intended for coders and are particularly oriented towards video game development.

To support the digitization of training and ensure these tools can be widely adopted, it is essential to have platforms that enable subject-matter experts to produce standardized content on a large scale, which is easy to evolve and can be leveraged in multiple ways. This is a necessary step to reduce the development costs of virtual training content and increase its usage, whether for large state programs or within smaller organizations.

Trainers and simulators are essential tools in modern training methodologies, designed to replicate real-world scenarios for educational purposes. A trainer is typically a system or device that provides hands-on practice and instruction in a specific skill or task. On the other hand, a simulator is a more comprehensive system that replicates the conditions and environment of a real-world process or operation, allowing users to practice and hone their skills in a controlled, risk-free setting. In Inscape VTS, these two aspects are addressed through non-linear scenario editing tools and simulation graphs, both of which can coexist to meet educational needs at the most reasonable cost.

These tools can be purely virtual, physical, or a hybrid of both. Virtual trainers and simulators use computer-generated environments to create realistic training scenarios. Physical trainers and simulators involve tangible equipment and devices that mimic real-world tools and machinery. Hybrid systems combine both virtual and physical elements, offering a more immersive and comprehensive training experience.

The primary commonality between trainers and simulators is the concept of "learning by doing." This hands-on approach allows trainees to engage actively with the training material, leading to better retention and understanding of the skills being taught. Some typical fields of use for these tools include:

• Virtual Maintenance Trainer (VMT): These simulators are designed to train individuals in the maintenance and repair of complex machinery and equipment. They provide a safe and cost-effective way to practice maintenance tasks without the risk of damaging expensive equipment.
• Operations Training: Simulators in this field are used to train personnel in the operation of various systems and processes, such as manufacturing lines, power plants, and other industrial operations. They help trainees understand the intricacies of the systems they will be working with and prepare them for real-world challenges.
• Pilot Training: Flight simulators are a well-known example of this category. They provide aspiring pilots with a realistic and immersive environment to practice flying, navigation, and emergency procedures without the risks associated with actual flight.

One of the most significant challenges in developing trainers and simulators is creating accurate and effective training content. This process often involves translating complex documentation and domain expertise into interactive and engaging training scenarios. Subject-matter experts play a crucial role in this process, as their knowledge and experience are essential for ensuring the training material is both accurate and relevant. Creating high-quality training content requires a deep understanding of the subject matter, as well as the ability to design interactive and immersive training experiences.
This is where specialized tools like Inscape VTS come into play. By providing a no-code authoring platform, Inscape VTS enables subject-matter experts to create and update training content without the need for extensive programming knowledge. This approach not only reduces development costs but also ensures that the training material remains up-to-date and relevant to the trainees' needs.

High-quality rendering

One of the most significant strengths of a 3D engine like Unreal Engine is their ability to produce highly realistic graphics. With sophisticated lighting, shadow, and texture effects, this engine create visually stunning environments that enhance the immersive experience for users. The advanced graphics rendering capabilities ensure that virtual environments are not only visually appealing but also highly realistic. Notably, Unreal Engine is renowned for its exceptional performance in 3D rendering, delivering high-quality visuals with remarkable efficiency.

Physics simulation

3D engines generally integrate robust physics engines that simulate realistic interactions between objects. This feature can be interesting for creating believable and interactive training scenarios. Additionally, the animation systems within these engines bring characters and objects to life, adding another layer of realism to the virtual environment. Whether it's simulating the movement of machinery or the behavior of fluids, the physics and animation capabilities of 3D engines are an invaluable aid  for creating dynamic and engaging training experiences.

Cross-platform abstraction

Another significant advantage of 3D engines is their cross-platform compatibility. These engines enable the deployment of applications on various platforms, including desktops, mobile devices, and virtual reality headsets. This flexibility ensures that training content can be accessed and utilized across different devices, making it easier to reach a broader audience and adapt to various training needs. For instance, Inscape VTS leverages the cross-platform compatibility of 3D engines to offer ready-to-use virtual trainers that can be accessed on a wide range of devices, including desktops, mobile devices, and virtual reality headsets.

Beyond the core features, 3D engines offer many additional capabilities that enhance their utility in developing virtual trainers and simulators. Not all of them are useful for the development of a simulator, but among the most notable are :

• Environments and lighting setup: 3D engines offer extensive tools for designing environments and lighting, enabling the creation of diverse and dynamic virtual spaces that can mimic real-world conditions.
• WYSIWYG material edition: These engines provide tools for working on materials, allowing developers to create realistic textures and surfaces that enhance the visual fidelity of the virtual environment.
• Visual effects integration: From leaks and smoke to oil spills and glare, 3D engines allow developers to create a wide range of effects that add realism and complexity to training scenarios.
• CAD import: Unreal Engine stands out with its exceptionally powerful and advanced CAD import capabilities. This feature is invaluable, considering the significant cost savings and time efficiency it provides.

While the power of 3D engines like Unity and Unreal Engine is undeniable, it's important to recognize that these tools do not make the creation of trainers or virtual simulators accessible to everyone. Nor do they address all the challenges involved in developing a complete simulator. 3D engines are incredibly valuable for working on all aspects related to graphics and are extremely practical for developing user applications or quickly achieving a proof of concept (POC) with limited content. 

However, while these tools enable developers to create complete, high-quality 3D applications based on pre-existing content ecosystems (plugins, assets), they can quickly result in projects that are difficult to maintain when left in the hands of content creators who are not developers. The programming tools provided with 3D engines are inherently designed for programmers, not content creators. They eventually generate some code and require a programmer's mindset. Creating scenarios or state machines can rapidly become time consuming and error prone without suitable modeling metaphors, and the graphical programming languages of video game platforms are not designed for this purpose. Similarly, freeplay simulation is challenging because these languages are imperative, whereas modeling dynamic systems (like machine operations) is better suited to massively parallel processes. Finally, whereas the process of translating complex documentation and domain expertise into interactive and engaging training scenarios is a critical challenge, subject-matter experts, who possess the necessary knowledge and experience, often lack the technical skills required to use these 3D engines effectively. This disconnect can lead to inefficiencies and increased development costs, as additional resources are needed to bridge the gap between content creation and technical implementation.

3D engines also fall short in providing the specialized tools needed for content creation at scale. When it comes to scaling up, creating, and maintaining a realistic volume of content—ranging from dozens to hundreds of parts and thousands of parts — these 3D platforms quickly show their weaknesses. This includes the ability to easily update and maintain training scenarios, integrate domain-specific knowledge, and ensure consistency across a vast array of training modules. The complexity of managing large-scale content and coordinating efforts within large teams can become overwhelming. The reliance on programmers to develop and maintain these systems can also be a bottleneck, as it requires a high level of technical expertise that may not be readily available within all organizations.

A specialized development platform does not replace a 3D engine. Inscape VTS, for example, relies heavily on Unreal Engine in many aspects:

• The modeling of a 3D environment, including graphics, physics, and sound, is entirely in the hands of graphic designers via Unreal Editor. This includes the development of graphical effects and behaviors, such as synchronizing multiple particle systems to illustrate a leak in a circuit.
• The real-time rendering engine, including in the editor, ensures that these environments are visually stunning and immersive.
• The development of cross-platform user applications is managed by software engineers using C++ or graphical development tools like Blueprint. This allows for the creation of robust and versatile applications that can run on various devices and platforms.

Inscape VTS Editor, on the other hand, empowers content creators, instructors, or subject matter experts to model pedagogical behavior. This essentially brings the 3D environment to life in a way that would otherwise be completely inaccessible to them. By providing a range of dedicated features, Inscape VTS Editor allows these experts to focus on creating effective training scenarios without needing to delve into the complexities of programming or 3D engine intricacies.

This combination of a powerful 3D engine and a specialized development platform ensures that both the technical and educational aspects of virtual training are addressed effectively. While Unreal Engine handles the heavy lifting of rendering and application development, Inscape VTS Editor makes it possible for non-programmers to create and manage the educational content, making the entire process more efficient and accessible.

In the realm of content creation, efficiency and ease of use are paramount. That's why an authoring tool must be designed to empower content creators and eliminate the need for third-party programmers.

One of the standout features of Inscape VTS for instance is its no-code requirement. Instead of traditional coding, users can leverage dedicated programming paradigms such as non-linear scenario editors, state machine modelers, and data flow modelers. This approach not only simplifies the creation process but also makes it accessible to subject-matter experts without a technical background.

Moreover, Inscape VTS includes integrated 3D tools that streamline the workflow. These tools eliminate the need to switch to a 3D modeler or Unreal Editor for simple animations, which can disrupt the production flow. Authors can define and preview animations with just a few clicks, modify the hierarchy of parts, hide, move, make them transparent, or color them with ease, all without the need for a complex material editor.

The key to streamlining content production is undoubtedly to standardize the way content is organized. Unlike Unreal Editor's Blueprints, Inscape VTS has different types of graphs, each with a specific role: graphical behaviors, freeplay simulation logic, scenarios and sub-scenarios, specific graphs to define the link between operation and state change, or the consequence and the resolution of a fault. Another example is the availability of dedicated tools to definition of a mechanical constraint, a variable configuration, a tool, and many other things that are systematically encapsulated in a relevant function, easily understandable by subject-matter experts.

The benefits of this standardization are multiple:

• It allows for mass production without having to worry about design.
• It enables quick understanding of what other authors have done, making it easy and fast to modify while limiting regressions.
• It provides complex functionalities without the user having to worry about them: for example, proper multiplayer functionality is naturally ensured by the specialization of different behavior graphs, each being executed on the correct device : server, player client. Similarly, the non-regression testing tool can also execute the correct graphs, skipping behavior blocks automatically based on their semantics if needed.

Using specialized software offers a significant advantage over starting from scratch with a 3D game engine. Here’s how:

• Reduce the development time:Once the 3D environment is imported into Unreal Editor, it takes only a few hours or days to create the first interactive content with Inscape VTS. This rapid development cycle allows for quick deployment across multiple platforms, enabling immediate user feedback. This approach helps avoid the "tunnel effect" often seen in traditional software development, where long development times can lead to a disconnect between the developers and the end-users.
• Start from already existing application: Inscape VTS leverages established software and user applications, eliminating the need for specific development with its associated tests and fixes. This reliance on proven technology ensures stability and reliability, reducing the risk of bugs and errors that can arise from custom development.
• Benefit from comprehensive features:Specialized software like Inscape VTS offers a more complete set of features than if everything had to be developed from scratch. This comprehensive toolset allows for rapid evolution based on user feedback. It includes for instance advanced functionalities for instructors, networking capabilities, 2D interactions, and support for VR and AR.

Creating a training simulator involves several distinct aspects that must be carefully considered. Firstly, there is the broad category of 3D content, which includes animations, graphical and sound behaviors, and potentially multimedia content. Tools like Unreal Editor are perfectly suited for this task when used by a graphic designer. Secondly, there is the pedagogical content, which defines the exercises to be performed by the trainees, including expected actions and machine reactions. Lastly, there is the user interface (UI) aspect, which involves the hardware devices used, user interactions, and feedback. For this third aspect, Unreal Editor is also an excellent tool for a developer, allowing them to efficiently develop and modify user applications across different hardware and software platforms. These three components are typically handled by different profiles: graphic designer, pedagogical expert, and developer.

Using a specialized editor allows for a clear separation between content production and the application aspect. This separation is crucial for the longevity of the training content, as it allows for the independent evolution of both aspects. On one hand, it enables the adoption of new versions of user applications without impacting the content. On the other hand, it allows the content to evolve autonomously without concern for how it will be deployed and utilized.

Separating the 3D environment from the pedagogical content also offers a decisive advantage. In 3D software, behaviors are often grafted onto actors or game objects, making it very complicated to update the 3D environment (reimport, modify the hierarchy, etc.). In contrast, Inscape VTS does not alter the 3D environment. Even though users may feel like they are grafting behaviors (profiles) directly onto the 3D parts, the software actually establishes a weak link between behavior and 3D. This ensures true digital continuity: it is possible to update the 3D environment without losing any created content and without complex and risky manipulations.

A key benefit of using a dedicated tool like Inscape VTS is the unparalleled reusability of the content created. When content is developed independently of user interactions and other application-specific elements, it opens up a multitude of possibilities for repurposing that content in various ways. For instance, a Virtual Maintenance Trainer (VMT) can be easily transformed into a Component Location tool or a field assistance tool with minimal additional effort. This is because the core content already encompasses a significant portion of the necessary knowledge.

Indeed, the true value lies in the content itself, rather than the final applications. Developing high-quality content is a time-consuming process, but once it is created, it can be leveraged across different applications without the need for extensive redevelopment. This is in stark contrast to applications developed for specific uses with a 3D engine platform, where the content is often tightly coupled with the application, making it difficult to repurpose.

Inscape VTS's no-code authoring tool is designed to facilitate this kind of flexibility. By allowing subject-matter experts to create and manage content without needing to worry about the underlying technical details, Inscape VTS ensures that the content remains adaptable and reusable. This not only maximizes the return on investment in content creation but also ensures that training programs can evolve and expand over time without being constrained by the limitations of the original application.

While 3D engines like Unity and Unreal Engine are powerful tools for creating visually stunning and immersive environments, they are clearly insufficient when it comes to addressing the full spectrum of challenges involved in developing comprehensive training simulators. The reliance on programmers and the lack of specialized features for training content creation can lead to inefficiencies and increased development costs.

Inscape VTS bridges this gap by providing a specialized development platform that empowers subject-matter experts to create and manage educational content without the need for programming skills. Its no-code authoring tool, integrated 3D tools, and standardized content organization streamline the content creation process, making it more efficient and accessible. By leveraging the strengths of both 3D engines and specialized development tools, Inscape VTS ensures that virtual training programs are not only visually impressive but also pedagogically effective and sustainable in the long term.

As we look to the future, the evolution of virtual training authoring tools promises to bring even more innovative and user-friendly solutions to the forefront. The next generation of these tools will likely focus on further simplifying the content creation process, making it even more accessible to subject-matter experts without technical backgrounds. This will be achieved through the integration of advanced AI and machine learning technologies, which can automate many aspects of content creation and provide intelligent suggestions to enhance training scenarios.

Another key trend will be the increased use of immersive technologies such as augmented reality and virtual reality. These technologies will enable more realistic and engaging training experiences, allowing trainees to practice and hone their skills in a safe and controlled environment. The development of more sophisticated and affordable AR and VR hardware will further drive the adoption of these technologies in training programs.

Finally, the sustainability and scalability of training content will remain a top priority. Ultimately, the true value lies in the content itself. Future authoring tools will continue to emphasize the importance of creating reusable and adaptable content that can be easily updated and repurposed for different training needs. This will ensure that organizations can maximize their investment in training content and keep their programs relevant and up-to-date in a rapidly changing world.