In a recent episode of Connected in 3D, Ashley Crowder sat down with Ziad Asghar, SVP & GM of XR & Spatial Computing at Qualcomm, to unpack how spatial computing and AI are transforming the 3D landscape—and why scalable content delivery is mission-critical for enterprises.
Though the conversation aired several weeks ago, the insights are more relevant than ever.
As more companies move beyond experimentation and into full deployment of XR and digital twin technologies, one message stood out:
3D is only as powerful as the infrastructure that supports it.
That means:
- Lightweight formats like glTF
- Browser-based 3D model viewers
- A robust 3D asset management system
- Instant CAD-to-web workflows
Let’s break down the key takeaways and how they’re shaping the future of immersive enterprise solutions.
From CAD to Web: The Need for Seamless 3D Content Delivery
Most 3D content originates in CAD—but CAD files are far too heavy and complex for modern XR experiences. They were never designed for real-time rendering, mobile access, or web deployment.
Said emphasized how Qualcomm’s Snapdragon Spaces initiative relies on open, efficient formats like glTF to power spatial experiences on next-gen devices. But to truly operationalize 3D across the enterprise, you need a 3D content management system that can ingest CAD, optimize intelligently, and deliver instantly through a 3D web viewer.
That’s the gap VNTANA fills.
AI + 3D: Why Automation is the Next Frontier
AI is changing the game—not just in device interaction, but in how 3D content gets created, structured, and delivered.
During the episode, Ashley and Said explored how AI now powers:
- Automatic optimization of massive CAD files
- Metadata generation and tagging
- Exploded views and product walkthroughs
- AR previews and XR-ready experiences
All through a simple web viewer interface.
AI turns 3D from an engineering bottleneck into a business enabler—and makes immersive content scalable across product lines and departments.
glTF: The JPEG of 3D
Said dubbed glTF the “JPEG of 3D”—and for good reason.
It’s fast. It’s lightweight. And it’s the open standard powering everything from retail 3D models to industrial AR.
Enterprises still relying on CAD viewers or proprietary formats are falling behind. If you’re not deploying via a browser-based 3D model viewer, you’re limiting both internal collaboration and customer engagement.
Enterprise Readiness: Centralized 3D Asset Management
Siloed 3D files are a silent killer of productivity.
A robust 3D asset management system is the foundation of scalable spatial computing—whether you’re powering eCommerce, sales enablement, training, or maintenance.
What you need:
- CAD ingestion and version control
- Auto-conversion to glTF, GLB, USDZ
- A centralized 3D viewer for the web
- Integration with your DAM, PIM, or PLM
- Role-based access for global teams
VNTANA delivers all of the above—and is already trusted by manufacturers like Astec and brands like Kohler.
Final Thoughts: 3D Without Limits
While the Qualcomm conversation aired weeks ago, its core message remains a rallying cry:
"Spatial computing will only scale if 3D content is frictionless to deploy."
If you want to future-proof your business, start by fixing the foundation:
- Lightweight content
- Real-time access
- Web-based 3D model viewing
- Centralized 3D asset management
Want a free diagnostic of your 3D content workflow?
Schedule a call with a VNTANA 3D expert
