Build 15 Augmented Reality (AR) apps with Unity & Vuforia

So what is Augmented Reality?  

According to Wikipedia, Augmented reality (AR) is a live direct or indirect view of a physical, real-world environment whose elements are "augmented" by computer-generated or extracted real-world sensory input such as sound, video, graphics or GPS data.  

In Augmented Reality the real view is modified by a computer (Smartphone in this case). Augmented reality (AR) enhances one’s current perception of reality, whereas in contrast, virtual reality replaces the real world with a simulated one. Augmentation techniques are basically performed in real time,   

Eg : Displaying live scores and statistics inside a live video of a sporting event  

Power of Augmented Reality  

I came across Augmented Reality in 2015 after watching a video of Augmented Reality Book. I was fascinated to know that such technology actually exists. So I started researching on different Augmented Reality platform. Vuforia platform seemed very promising as developers all over the World have used Vuforia for developing Augmented Reality apps.  

Pokemon Go game is the best example of Augmented Reality. Other than that Augmented Reality apps expand over a wide range of topics from Education, Business, Architecture, Health Industry, Home Decoration and obviously mobile gaming.  

Course Content and Overview  

This course is designed for students interested in creating Augmented Reality apps. No coding experience is required; all you need is an Android or iOS device for testing your Augmented Reality apps. We will start from basics of Unity, C# platform and then move to higher topics  

Intro & Basics of Augmented Reality  

In the first section you will first understand as to what is Augmented Reality? Next we will look at the four different augmented reality techniques and its application. After this I will explain you what is Virtual Reality and the differences between Augmented Reality (AR) & Virtual Reality (VR)  

Basics of Unity  

After understanding Augmented Reality next we will look at the basics of Unity as Unity is the main software which we will use for building Augmented Reality apps.  

Augmented Reality One (ARONE) application  

ARONE is the first Augmented Reality Application which you are going to create. In this app you will  

• Create Vuforia account  

• Create License Key for the AR app  

• Upload an Image as Image Target  

• Understand Vuforia Image Recognition system  

• Solution to White ImageTarget problem in Vuforia version 6.2.10  

• Download 3D model from Unity Asset Store  

• Place 3D Model on top of Image Target  

• Download ARONE app database from Vuforia and activate it inside Unity  

• Build this app for Android & Ios  

Augmented Reality Book (ARBOOK) application  

In the ARBook application we will first create few sketches inches a drawing book. Next we will download some 3D Models from the asset store and project the 3D Model on top of each image target.  

Application like ARBOOK can be implemented in Schools & Colleges for teaching complicated subjects in a fun and easier way.  

Virtual Button & Augmented Reality Business Card (ARBusinessCard) 

In this section I will explain first explain you the concept of Virtual Button in Vuforia and the six important factors that should be considered while working with Virtual Button.  

Next you will create a simple Virtual Button app called AugmentedRealityVirtualButton in which you will understand the important function & interface that are required for working with Virtual Button.  

After the ARVirtualButton app we will then create and ARBusinessCard. In the ARBusinessCard app you will first place multiple virtual buttons on top of an Image Target. Next I will show you how to play video file inside Unity, After this we will write a C# script to play a particular video when the virtual button for a particular video is pressed  

Augmented Reality Greeting Card

In this section, you will learn the process of detecting multiple image targets simultaneously at the same time. You will also add an mp3 file in the app that will start playing only when the greeting card is opened.

Superimposition based AR | Object tracking –

In this section you will first scan a 3D model using Vuforia’s 3D scanning android application. Next we will import this model inside Unity and on top of this model we will superimpose a digital car.

Cylindrical Object tracking

In this section you will learn the technique for detecting a cylindrical object. After detecting the cylindrical object you will create a beautiful 3D scenic view around the cylinder with the help of airplanes, low poly clouds and low poly terrains.

Vuforia Cloud Recognition

In this section you will understand the working of Vuforia cloud databases. You will create an application called BookInfoAR. This application will scan a book cover(marker) and display information panel beside the book cover. The information of the marker is stored in cloud database.

Ground Planes and MidAir

In this section you will create your first markerless augmented reality using Vuforia Ground Plane. With ground plane feature we will place a lifesize Lamborghini model in real world. Next using the MidAir feature we will place a drone in mid air.

User Defined Target

In this section you will understand a feature called User Defined Target feature from the Vuforia Core Sample. With the help of User Defined Target feature we can use any image as an marker.

So after explaining you the course content I hope to see you inside this Augmented Reality course.