VIRTUAL WORLD: Washington native starts 3-D mapping business

Published 6:33 pm Monday, January 18, 2016

CAROLINE HUDSON | DAILY NEWS HOMEGROWN: Will Preslar, 28, grew up in Washington and graduated from East Carolina University. He has seven years of experience in professional photography.

CAROLINE HUDSON | DAILY NEWS
HOMEGROWN: Will Preslar, 28, grew up in Washington and graduated from East Carolina University. He has seven years of experience in professional photography.

A Washington native is making a name with top-notch technology.

Will Preslar, 28, is an entrepreneur at heart, and with a photography background, it’s no surprise that he’d venture into the world of 3-D cameras.

With some help from his business partner, Preslar has launched Real 3D, a business that uses a 3-D camera to create maps of locations for virtual touring.

“I saw an innovative technology … the potential for a new technology to make a market more efficient, whether that market be in the sale of homes, renting of property or booking of venue spaces,” he said.

Most recently, Preslar created a 3-D mapping of the Turnage Theatre in Washington — a proposition he said was welcomed by staff of Arts of the Pamlico, the Turnage Theatre owner.

He said he thinks the mapping can be used to attract more performers, as potential visitors can actually see the extent of the venue from their homes. Not only that, 3-D mapping means an interactive view of the theater, as opposed to a static image.

“I felt that it would be beneficial for the historic landmark to be 3-D mapped in order for the town of Washington and surrounding communities to see the ever-growing progress,” Preslar said.

From another market’s perspective, he said he is already making connections with realtors to possibly map the homes they are trying to sell.

“The current model of selling homes is you’ve got to drive clients around town,” Preslar said. “Wouldn’t it be more efficient and save more time and money to send them your entire listing inventory (beforehand)?”

Viewing a home in virtual, interactive 3-D can also better educate a homebuyer about locations without having to go to every house, thus benefitting the buyer and the seller, according to Preslar.

Preslar said he is excited about the future of Real 3D and hopes to expand it throughout Beaufort and Pitt counties — perhaps beyond that.

He said he thinks this type of 3-D mapping technology can make a difference if used properly; businesses can use it to boost profits, and consumers can use it for convenience.

“It saves gas, time, and you can do it in the comfort of your sofa,” Preslar said.

For more information about Real 3D, visit www.real3dnc.com.