Image © Mahei Innovation
Augmented reality (AR) is a technology that enables people to digitally manipulate/augment a version of reality and replace it with a virtual one, essentially using the power of technology to present users with a modified view/version of reality. Artificial information about the environment and its objects can be overlaid on the real world and the surrounding environment can be digitally manipulated and made to be interactive.
Watch the the short edited video below to see the potential future of augmented reality apps and hardware, and then read the following sections that demonstrate how augmented reality is being used in the business, social and educational worlds today.
Watch the the short edited video below to see the potential future of augmented reality apps and hardware, and then read the following sections that demonstrate how augmented reality is being used in the business, social and educational worlds today.
Generally, AR apps are designed for mobile devices such as smartphones, using their front-facing camera, GPS and/or accelerometer to show the virtual/augmented reality and allow users to interact with their environment.
Navigate through the augmented reality sections below to learn about the current uses of augmented reality around the world and how people can easily use this technology in the classroom, home, workplace and basically anywhere in the world:
Navigate through the augmented reality sections below to learn about the current uses of augmented reality around the world and how people can easily use this technology in the classroom, home, workplace and basically anywhere in the world:
Augmented Reality in Practical Real-World Settings
The key to using AR apps in the business world is to give consumers the opportunity to view:
Before students and teachers start using augmented reality apps in educational settings they should explore the use of the current real-world applications of augmented reality. Read below to discover how augmented reality is being used by governments, businesses and consumers.
- Objects without actually needing to open the package or have the life-sized object actually there (i.e. product placement - see below)
- Modifications or additions to the original object or view of the object (i.e. car modifications/additions such as spoilers, paint colours and rims or 2D objects that become 3D when viewed with an AR app)
- The object functioning without needing to operate the object
- Additional information (text, graphics, audio or video - e.g. simulations or characters speaking) that is not normally available when viewing the object with the naked eye. The information can be overlayed and be static (unchanged) or show real-time data (see the fire-fighting app below).
Before students and teachers start using augmented reality apps in educational settings they should explore the use of the current real-world applications of augmented reality. Read below to discover how augmented reality is being used by governments, businesses and consumers.
Town Planning/Historical Logging Applications
In response to the earthquakes that struck the city of Christchurch in New Zealand, HITLabNZ developed CityView AR, an augmented reality app for mobile phones that allows people to walk around the city and see life-sized virtual models of buildings in place of where the real buildings used to be. It is the first time in world that mobile phone AR has been used for earthquake reconstruction.
The models show what the building looked like on site before it was demolished, as well as alternative designs for future buildings that might be erected in the same place. Users can add their own feedback on the buildings shown, so architects and urban planners can use the tool to get input from people about their designs. View the video below to see CityView AR in action:
The models show what the building looked like on site before it was demolished, as well as alternative designs for future buildings that might be erected in the same place. Users can add their own feedback on the buildings shown, so architects and urban planners can use the tool to get input from people about their designs. View the video below to see CityView AR in action:
Future work on the app will allow users to add their own feedback on the buildings shown, so architects and urban planners can use the tool to get input from people about their proposed designs. Additional historical data could be included to allow people to go back in time and see what used to be at locations 50 or 100 years ago.
If you find yourself in Christchurch, New Zealand, then download CityView AR for the iPhone or Android to see what the Christchurch CBD looked before the earthquakes.
If you find yourself in Christchurch, New Zealand, then download CityView AR for the iPhone or Android to see what the Christchurch CBD looked before the earthquakes.
Product Placement Applications
IKEA Place
IKEA's free IKEA Place app (iOS) allows anyone to see virtually place a piece(s) from IKEA's range of furniture into any space (e.g. a living room in a house) to see how it will look.
Whilst people normally have to use their instinct, judgement and visualise how a furniture item will look in their house before purchasing and hoping that their instincts are correct, this augmented reality app actually allows users to see how potential purchases look in their house before even walking into an IKEA store to make a purchase.
Whilst people normally have to use their instinct, judgement and visualise how a furniture item will look in their house before purchasing and hoping that their instincts are correct, this augmented reality app actually allows users to see how potential purchases look in their house before even walking into an IKEA store to make a purchase.
Augment
Augment offers companies the opportunity to pay to upload 3D models their products (e.g. white-goods and furniture such as fridges, stoves and kitchen benches) and have them
hosted on Augment's servers. The 3D models can then be viewed using the free Augment app, allowing companies to show their products in real conditions without needing the actual product(s).
Watch the video below to see Augment in action:
hosted on Augment's servers. The 3D models can then be viewed using the free Augment app, allowing companies to show their products in real conditions without needing the actual product(s).
Watch the video below to see Augment in action:
The 3D models for the products can be designed by anyone using 3D software (e.g. 3ds Max, Sketchup, Maya, SolidWorks, Cinema 4D etc.), exported and then uploaded to Augment's servers.
The Augment viewer app is available for iOS and Android devices. Download the free version (using Augment's own objects) to try it out for yourself.
Note: If Augment's monthly hosting pricing structure is too costly for your business or school, various other free and paid AR solutions can be accessed here.
The Augment viewer app is available for iOS and Android devices. Download the free version (using Augment's own objects) to try it out for yourself.
Note: If Augment's monthly hosting pricing structure is too costly for your business or school, various other free and paid AR solutions can be accessed here.
Google Translate
Google Translate bought out the former app Word Lens, to enable users to automatically translates words from various foreign languages into a nominated language simply by moving mobile device's camera and the AR app to view the words! See the video below and be amazed.
Google Translate is designed for iOS and Android.
Google Translate is designed for iOS and Android.
Safer Driving Application
iOnRoad turns smartphones into a personal driving assistant, using the phone's camera and sensors to detect vehicles in front of the host vehicle, alerting drivers when they are in danger.
View the video below and then download for Android devices.
View the video below and then download for Android devices.
Google Glass
The ultimate use of augmented reality for everyday situations would be a worldwide adoption of a now almost discontinued product, Google Glass. Google Glass is an AR device attached to a pair of special glasses that projects a virtual/augmented reality onto the glasses lens' allowing the wearer to see an interact with a virtual/augmented reality. Google Glass also has a earbud (for sound) and microphone, which picks up oral commands from the wearer (i.e. 'Visit Google', 'Play Youtube clip', etc.) and also allows users to make and receive phone calls.
Watch the video below to see how Google Glassware (software for Google Glass) is being used to help fire-fighters access critical data to help them everyday!
Watch the video below to see how Google Glassware (software for Google Glass) is being used to help fire-fighters access critical data to help them everyday!
Medical Applications
The use of augmented reality in the medical world is one of the most exciting and important applications of augmented reality as it can potentially save lives:
Medical researchers are also researching how to combine the tracking sensors embedded within the Microsoft Kinect with augmented reality to create medical apps, which have great potential for use in the medical field and for teaching students about human anatomy:
Additional Information Applications
There are a number of AR apps designed to make your travels a little bit more easier or at least a little more interesting and informative. Read below to discover just a few of these:
AcrossAir
AcrossAir was an iOS augmented reality 3D navigator app designed to help you reach your location easily.
Once users installed and opened the app on their device, they could:
2. Hold it horizontally to switch to Google Maps to show their position and pin it to view it later or find your parked vehicle. It is integrated with Facebook, Twitter and Flickr lets users share and store location photos, check out Tweets, Flickr uploads, YouTube videos, and a whole lot more of what's been posted or exists around their location.
Once users installed and opened the app on their device, they could:
- Hold it upright and look around with the camera to view restaurants, hotels, landmarks, cinemas and other geo-tagged entries. Floating image balloons on screen display information of the chosen picture.
2. Hold it horizontally to switch to Google Maps to show their position and pin it to view it later or find your parked vehicle. It is integrated with Facebook, Twitter and Flickr lets users share and store location photos, check out Tweets, Flickr uploads, YouTube videos, and a whole lot more of what's been posted or exists around their location.
Wikitude
Wikitude is an AR app for iOS, Android, Blackberry and Windows Phone that helps users explore the world around them, giving users information about locations, objects, events and much more.
Watch the various videos from the Wikitude YouTube Channel to see the various uses for Wikitude and download it use the hyperlinks above.
Watch the various videos from the Wikitude YouTube Channel to see the various uses for Wikitude and download it use the hyperlinks above.
Google Lens (Formally Google Goggles)
Google Lens for Android devices allows users to virtually scan any object (e.g. a painting, a box of muesli bars, etc.) and if Google Goggles finds it in its database, it will provide you with useful information. Amazingly it also:
- translates text by taking a picture of foreign language text
- scans text using Optical Character Recognition (OCR)
- identifies plants and animals
- shop for similar items.
Augmented Reality For Fun
Augmented reality games add/combine virtual content with an existing environment to provide players with fun and unique experiences. Contained below are just a few of the plethora of AR fun apps:
Action Movie FX
Action Movie FX for iOS enables anyone to add special effects to movies saved on their device's camera roll. The app comes with six free features: avalanche, missile attack, car smash, demolition rock, rough terrain and spider strike.
Watch the video below to get a taste of the experience:
Watch the video below to get a taste of the experience:
Samsung EdiBear Virtual Toy
Much like Sony Playstation's Eye Pet, Eduard Oaks created EdiBear, a virtual pet for owners of a Samsung Galaxy phone. Watch the video below to see EdiBear in action.
Games: AR Invaders
AR Invaders brings the fun of Space Invaders to the world immediately around you! Simply fire-up the app and start saving your house, school or suburb from the space invaders!
AR Invaders is available for Android devices.
AR Invaders is available for Android devices.
Games: SpekTrek
When there's something wrong in your neighbourhood, who ya gonna call? You!
SpecTrek combines augmented reality, exercise and fun, requiring phone users to run around their neighbourhood chasing and catching virtual ghosts!
SpecTrek is available for iOS and Android devices in two versions, free and paid.
Download SpecTrek today:
SpecTrek combines augmented reality, exercise and fun, requiring phone users to run around their neighbourhood chasing and catching virtual ghosts!
SpecTrek is available for iOS and Android devices in two versions, free and paid.
Download SpecTrek today:
Augmented Reality In Educational Settings
Augmented reality has unlimited potential in educational settings as AR allows both students and teachers to superimpose text, graphics, video and audio onto/into their own environment.
Whilst teachers in any age setting can use augmented reality to provide additional information or support to students (e.g. recording/sourcing a tutorial video or providing supporting images or webpages that open when a student scans a homework sheet with an AR app), there are a wide-variety of AR apps suitable for children of different ages. Use the following categories to explore the use of:
Whilst teachers in any age setting can use augmented reality to provide additional information or support to students (e.g. recording/sourcing a tutorial video or providing supporting images or webpages that open when a student scans a homework sheet with an AR app), there are a wide-variety of AR apps suitable for children of different ages. Use the following categories to explore the use of:
- Ready-made AR Apps.
- Student-created augmented realities.
Augmented Reality in the Early Years
There are a variety of simplistic AR apps that can be used by young children to engage them in their learning.
AR: Bringing Colouring-In Alive!
HITLabNZ and Puteko Limited have created Quiver, an augmented reality app that brings colouring-in pages to life! It is the perfect app to introduce the concept of augmented reailty to young children. View the video below and be blown away:
Simply:
- Download the colouring sheets from the QuiverVision website.
- Download and install the app on an iOS or Android device.
- Visit the QuiverVision website to download (both free and paid) colouring-in sheets.
- Scan the colouring-in sheet with the Quiver app!
Augmented Reality Flashcards
The following AR flashcards apps shows the potential that AR has in enabling teachers and parents to easily enhance their existing flashcards by adding an AR object.
AR Flashcards - Alphabet (Android) is a simple and free AR app that brings a specially designed set of alphabet flashcards to life using animated 3D animals and letter sounds. Download the PDF containing the physical flashcards/target images here.
Watch the video below to see the app in action.
Watch the video below to see the app in action.
AR Flashcards: Space (Android) is a paid AR app that brings a specially designed set of planet flashcards to life using animated 3D planets.
When users point their smartphone or tablet at the printed flashcard, a 3D planet will pop up on the screen. Users can then tap the planet to hear the name and also tap the info button to hear interesting facts. Download the PDF containing the physical flashcards/target images here.
When users point their smartphone or tablet at the printed flashcard, a 3D planet will pop up on the screen. Users can then tap the planet to hear the name and also tap the info button to hear interesting facts. Download the PDF containing the physical flashcards/target images here.
Augmented Reality in Literature
Authors and publishing companies are using augmented reality to make the plain old paperback books and comics into an interactive paperback books and comics! Schools should be using these examples of AR to have students enhance their paper and digital based texts.
Pictured left and shown in the videos below is IMAG-N-O-TRON: "The Fantastic Flying Books of Mr. Morris Lessmore" Edition, an AR app for iPhone and iPad that can be used in combination with a paperback copy of 'The Fantastic Flying Books of Mr. Morris Lessmore' to:
Watch the videos below to see the book and matching app in action:
- bring characters and objects from the story alive
- make content from the book interactive and touchable
- show animations even when the book is being read by other students and being held at a distance away from the iPad/iPhone camera.
Watch the videos below to see the book and matching app in action:
Enchantium
Enchantium by Daqri is a free AR app (Android) that contains a variety of AR elements that appear when each target image is scanned with the Enchantium app. The app allows for:
Learn about each of the elements below and how they can be used within an educational setting:
- Learning you can see.
- Learning you can hear.
- Learning that stands out.
- Learning you can touch.
Learn about each of the elements below and how they can be used within an educational setting:
A 4D Fairy Tale - The Perilous Pursuit of the Pied Piper: This part of the app transforms any tabletop into a magical fairy tale world using the surface and objects around the 4D Fairy Tale target.
Simply:
1. Pick a flat surface and place 2-4 solid objects around this 4D Fairy Tale target image.
2. Launch the Enchantium app, press "enter 4D," view the 4D Fairy Tale target, then press "Tap to Start."
3. View the 4D Fairy Tale target again to activate the experience - looks like fairy dust. Your story begins once two objects are detected, indicated by blue swirls, but an increase to four objects fuels a more engaging experience!
4. Once you hit "Begin Story," these objects become part of the Fairy Tale.
5. Create the environment using the four terrain options in the bottom left corner.
6. Tap the trees to discover the magical pouch. Touch the magical pouch to bring your bear to life. Tap the stones to help discover the key and complete the stage.
Simply:
1. Pick a flat surface and place 2-4 solid objects around this 4D Fairy Tale target image.
2. Launch the Enchantium app, press "enter 4D," view the 4D Fairy Tale target, then press "Tap to Start."
3. View the 4D Fairy Tale target again to activate the experience - looks like fairy dust. Your story begins once two objects are detected, indicated by blue swirls, but an increase to four objects fuels a more engaging experience!
4. Once you hit "Begin Story," these objects become part of the Fairy Tale.
5. Create the environment using the four terrain options in the bottom left corner.
6. Tap the trees to discover the magical pouch. Touch the magical pouch to bring your bear to life. Tap the stones to help discover the key and complete the stage.
Augmented Reality in Mathematics
There are a few emerging AR apps to enhance the learning of Mathematics for young children.
Fetch! Lunch Rush
Fetch! Lunch Rush (iOS) is a free single and multi-player AR game involving simple mathematics. Players must solve addition equations to fulfill lunch orders of sushi.
Watch the video below and download the game boards/target images: colour | black & white.
Watch the video below and download the game boards/target images: colour | black & white.
Cyberchase Shape Quest
Cyberchase Shape Quest (iOS & Android) is a free app that contains three mini-games that require players to use geometry and spatial reasoning to solve problems. Each game can be played with or without an Augmented Reality mode.
Watch the video below to see the AR mode in action and download the game boards/target images: colour | black & white.
Watch the video below to see the AR mode in action and download the game boards/target images: colour | black & white.
Augmented Reality in the Middle & Senior Years
Embracing the use of augmented reality in the middle and senior years classrooms involves a combination of using AR apps and creating augmented realities using AR creation apps (such as Aurasma - see below).
1. Ready-Made Augmented Reality Apps
Green Screen AR App
Green Screen by DoInk is a brilliant AR app for iOS devices that enables students to film professional video as if they were using expensive computer equipment and a green screen.
Students simply need access to any coloured cloth as the background and then adjust the 'Chroma Filter' to that colour (as shown in the video below).
Students simply need access to any coloured cloth as the background and then adjust the 'Chroma Filter' to that colour (as shown in the video below).
AR & Maths
Ever needed students to measure an angle within the classroom or school that they couldn't reach or where a protractor wouldn't fit?
There are many free AR protractor apps that enable students to measure angles using an augmented protractor via an Android or iOS device.
There are many free AR protractor apps that enable students to measure angles using an augmented protractor via an Android or iOS device.
We've all seen students navigating themselves around a school or local area whilst learning about the points of a compass.
Spyglass takes this experience one step further by superimposing a compass, GPS data, distance measurements and angles over the local environment.
Spyglass is available for iOS devices.
Spyglass takes this experience one step further by superimposing a compass, GPS data, distance measurements and angles over the local environment.
Spyglass is available for iOS devices.
Exploring Human Anatomy
Human Anatomy 4D is a free AR app (iOS) that enables users to explore the anatomy of the human body in any space or room.
Exploring the Elements of the Periodic Table
Watch the video below to see the app in action.
2. Creating Augmented Realities
The key to successfully implementing the creation of augmented realities in the middle and senior years is to get students brainstorming how they could superimpose text, graphics, video and audio onto/into their own environment.
Whilst most students or teacher initial forays into AR may see them simply using an image or animation, if schools are truly to prepare students with practical AR skills for the future, like those displayed in the CityViewAR or Augment AR apps (discussed above), classes need to brainstorm and answer deep thinking AR questions such as:
Whilst most students or teacher initial forays into AR may see them simply using an image or animation, if schools are truly to prepare students with practical AR skills for the future, like those displayed in the CityViewAR or Augment AR apps (discussed above), classes need to brainstorm and answer deep thinking AR questions such as:
- What are some ways that AR could improve a current reality/practice(s)?
- If you could imagine a virtual world appearing before your eyes, what would you like to see?
- If you were creating an AR apps for a learning area (e.g. history or geography) what virtual reality/realities would you like to appear in front of your eyes when you scan an object or book with an AR app?
- If you were creating an AR apps for a learning area what virtual character would you like to appear in front of the reader's eyes and talk to them/teach them when they scan an object in a book with an AR app?
Imagine this character popping out of a book with a student's audio file playing describing life during the Roman Empire!
Imagine a student creating a virtual/augmented reality Roman solider that only appears when people go to a museum and scan the location using an AR app. The character could then talk about the spread of the Roman Empire.
Read below to learn about examples of some teachers initial forays into introducing the concept of augmented realities into their classrooms.
Augmented Reality and Poetry
The following example is the introduction of how one teacher introduced the concept of augmented reality to a group of senior years students who were studying poetry, via the superimposing of an image (augmentation) onto a reality.
Image: W1N9Zr0 CC BY-NC-SA 2.0
An example of using augmented reailty in poetry may occur when students or teachers wish for a virtual object to appear on/in a student's visual presentation of a poem. One such idea I have used is when two students created a poem about the things that made them scream. After creating a visual presentation of their poem, covered in 3D pop-up images of the things that made them scream, they then placed a photo of themselves on the poem. When they scanned it with an AR app (the now defunct Auarsma AR app) I had set that image to activate a spooky person to pop out of the image which of course, made them scream!
Augmented Reality and Art
Art teachers and students should be exploring the uses of augmented realities to created augmented art.
The key to using AR apps in the business world is to give consumers the opportunity to view:
The key to integrating AR into the study of art is to introduce a new layer or objects that were not in the original "real" art work to appear when the AR app's camera views the original artwork.
The key to using AR apps in the business world is to give consumers the opportunity to view:
- Objects without actually needing to open the package or have the life-sized object actually there (i.e. product placement - see below)
- Modifications or additions to the original object or view of the object (i.e. car modifications/additions such as spoilers, paint colours and rims or 2D objects that become 3D when viewed with an AR app)
- The object functioning without needing to operate the object
- Additional information (text, graphics, audio or video - e.g. simulations or characters speaking) that is not normally available when viewing the object with the naked eye. The information can be overlayed and be static (unchanged) or show real-time data (see the fire-fighting app below).
The key to integrating AR into the study of art is to introduce a new layer or objects that were not in the original "real" art work to appear when the AR app's camera views the original artwork.
AR in Lessons, Tests and Homework
Augmented realities can be added to traditional paper-based content to enhance student understanding and learning.
Demonstrated in the video below, a teacher experiments with the use of AR to reduce the effects of the reading/language barrier in tests. Using the avatars idea discussed above, teachers could also create virtual avatars that read aloud test questions to students who may struggle with the reading component of tests (who would use headphones to listen to the questions).
Demonstrated in the video below, a teacher experiments with the use of AR to reduce the effects of the reading/language barrier in tests. Using the avatars idea discussed above, teachers could also create virtual avatars that read aloud test questions to students who may struggle with the reading component of tests (who would use headphones to listen to the questions).
Augmented Multimodal Texts
Teachers must prepare their students to be able to adapt and embrace current and future technological changes, particularly when the products that will appear in the future marketplace are unknown.
One such company that has demonstrated the ability to keep their existing products popular, adapt other products to embrace technological change and create new products for the marketplace is Marvel. The two videos below demonstrate how Marvel turned their paper-based comics into augmented texts, providing their traditional readers and collectors of paper-based comic with more interaction with their beloved medium. Such a business strategy is a great example to show students, as they can learn how to breathe more life into an existing product line (maintaining and/or increasing market share) whilst also complementing another product line; their digital-based comics market (e.g. eComics).
Educators and students can also seek to emulate such an excellent example by augmenting their existing text-based approaches via using a combination of the avatars, videos and still images discussed above, to turn their paper-based texts (e.g. narratives or inquiry projects) into multi-modal augmented texts.
One such company that has demonstrated the ability to keep their existing products popular, adapt other products to embrace technological change and create new products for the marketplace is Marvel. The two videos below demonstrate how Marvel turned their paper-based comics into augmented texts, providing their traditional readers and collectors of paper-based comic with more interaction with their beloved medium. Such a business strategy is a great example to show students, as they can learn how to breathe more life into an existing product line (maintaining and/or increasing market share) whilst also complementing another product line; their digital-based comics market (e.g. eComics).
Educators and students can also seek to emulate such an excellent example by augmenting their existing text-based approaches via using a combination of the avatars, videos and still images discussed above, to turn their paper-based texts (e.g. narratives or inquiry projects) into multi-modal augmented texts.
Augmented Architecture
Augmented Reality is now enabling architects to virtually visualize their 3D models by connecting a simple webcam and by printing a suitable code.
Various programs such as Trimble's SketchUp (free for educational use) when combined with an AR plugin allow for the exportation of 3D architecture modelling into .armedia files which can then be viewed using Augmented Reality viewing apps (such as the ones listed below).
Watch the video below to see the Armedia Plugin for SketchUp:
Various programs such as Trimble's SketchUp (free for educational use) when combined with an AR plugin allow for the exportation of 3D architecture modelling into .armedia files which can then be viewed using Augmented Reality viewing apps (such as the ones listed below).
Watch the video below to see the Armedia Plugin for SketchUp:
To experiment with AR in architecture simply:
- Download and install SketchUp (free for educational use).
- Download and install the ARmedia plugin for SketchUp (free trial and paid).
- Download an AR viewer: iOS or Android (free).
Augmented Reality Viewers & Creators (Software/Apps)
Whist the above examples of augmented reality are specially designed apps for use in practical real-world and educations settings, the apps and software below allow users to create and view their own augmented realities (.armedia files).
Augmented Reality Viewers/Players
AR media players can be used to view/visualize ".armedia" files. Find the right AR media player for your device below:
AR-media™ Player for iOS and Android:
Simply:
- Opens and visualises ".armedia" files especially created for iOS devices
- Opens geo-located augmented realities (see this video)
- Scans AR-Media markers (much like a QR code) to open and visualise online augmented realities.
Simply:
- Have a device with a web camera.
- Download AR-media™ Player for iOS and Android.
- Print off the AR marker and place it where you would like the AR object to appear.
- Download various pre-made augmented reality 2D SketchUps here to display when the AR-Media marker is placed in an environment and scanned using AR-media™ Player.
Watch the video below to see AR-media™ Player for Android in action:
Watch the videos below to see AR-media™ Player for iOS in action:
Features:
- Touch the ARMedia icon to instantly augment a mobile view with the selected 3D model.
- Browse the models Library and make any model the default model for quicker access. Choose any model to view from the Library.
- Add new models to the Library using iTunes, mails' attachments, links to models on the web or any file sharing app installed on a device.
- Import models directly from a preferred 3D modeling software via ARMedia Plugins available for your personal computer.
- Look at the AR target image, the 3D model will appear on top of the AR target image.
- Explore 3D models from any angle using the interactive AR interface. You can scale and rotate models freely using simple gestures.
- Easily adjust tracking settings in real-time to best fit your environmental conditions during AR visualization.
- Take a picture of the simulated image through the camera.
Augmented Reality Creation Software/Apps
Wikitude Studio
Wikitude Studio is a online service for creating augmented realities.
Simply:
- Register for a free account (limited to one augmented reality upload).
- Choose the target image.
- Choose the augmentation (Note: Videos can only be set to be viewed in full screen mode on the free version).
- Click Preview.
- Download the Wikitude App (iOS | Android).
- Use the Wikitude app to scan the preview.
- If users are happy with the result click Export.
- Choose from the following options:
- Free (simple): Download for self-hosting - Downloads the file onto a PC as a zip file. Users then must unzip the contents of the .zip file and upload the content to a school's website or a student's/class' Google Drive for viewing via the Wikitude App.
- Free (advanced): Offline App - Download to be then used with the Wikitude SDK.
- Paid (easiest): Wikitude App - Uploads the project to Wikitude's server for use with the Wikitude App.
AR-media TM Plugins
Inglobe Technologies provides:
- Free AR-media™ Plugins for 3ds Max, SketchUp, Maya, Cinema 4D and Vectorworks
- Professional perpetual licenses for €199-€249 (the license is a once off payment; it does not require to be renewed monthly/annually).