Getting started in Augmented Reality (AR) using Unity

Want to develop AR apps but not sure where to start? Look no more!

Here’s a curated list on how to get started in Augmented Reality with Unity using different SDKs to develop AR apps.

Let’s get started!

About Unity?

Unity is a cross-platform game engine and a real-time 3D development platform by Unity Technologies.

It is one of the most versatile software available in the market today!

Need to develop a game? Check!

Real-time 3D rendering in Automobile/Transport/Manufacturing? Check!

Film production, animation and cinematography? Check!

And, so much more…

With Unity, you could build anything you imagine. It is one of the most prominent software used for AR development.

Fun Fact :— Over 60% of all the AR apps are developed using Unity!! 😲

So, What are the Pre-requisites?

1. Must know either C# or Javascript for coding.

2. Must have latest Android/iOS device supported by the SDK of choice.

Getting Started!

• Download the latest version of Unity.
• Choose Android/iOS/Vuforia build support depending upon your requirements during installation.
• Download Microsoft Visual Studio Community.
• Platform-specific SDK such as Android build tools are also required.

Choose an SDK of your choice!

There are a ton of different SDK’s with which you can build AR apps!

Some of the most prominent ones used today are ARCore, ARKit, Vuforia, 8thWall, Wikitude, etc.

Here’s a curated list on how to getting started with these SDK using Unity —

1. ARKit (by Apple)

ARKit is a unique framework that enables brands and developers to design and create unparalleled experiences for compatible iPhone and iPad devices.

• Apple ARKit Documentation
• A curated list of awesome ARKit projects and resources.

2. ARCore (by Google)

Similar to ARKit, ARCore enables brands and developers to get AR apps up and running on compatible Google smartphones and tablets. One of the most notable features of ARCore is that it also supports iOS-enabled devices and gives developers unparalleled access to users across both platforms.

• Google ARCore SDK for Unity
• Unity API Reference for ARCore
• ARCore for All

3. ARFoundation

ARFoundation allows you to work with augmented reality platforms in a multi-platform way within Unity. It is a set of MonoBehaviours and APIs over ARKit and ARCore which enables us to create using single codebase!

• ARFoundation Docs
• Example content for Unity projects based on AR Foundation

4. Vuforia

Vuforia is one of the most popular platforms to help you work with augmented reality development. It can be used to create both, marker-based and markerless apps in a variety of ways!

• Vuforia Documentation
• Quick demo Augmented Reality application with Vuforia in Unity platform

5. Wikitude

Wikitude is an SDK specifically designed for developing mobile AR apps and prototypes initially designed with a core objective: to enable AR developers to create location-centric augmented reality experiences through the Wikitude World Browser app.

• Wikitude examples
• Wikitude Documentation

6. EasyAR

EasyAR SDK is capable of simultaneously recognizing and tracking multiple 3D objects in real-time. Available in versions for iOS and Android, EasyAR can be used with both PCs and mobile devices.

• Download Easy AR
• EasyAr Documentation

7. 8th Wall

True Web AR. It enables us to create rich augmented reality experiences that work on every mobile device via the web browser!

• 8th Wall Tutorials
• 8th Wall Github
• 8th Wall Docs

8. MixedReality Toolkit (MRTK)

MRTK-Unity is a Microsoft-driven project that provides a set of components and features, used to accelerate cross-platform MR app development in Unity.

• MixedRealityToolkit-Unity
• A Unity hololens app to detect faces and display their attributes
• A Unity library for estimating and replicating the current environment’s lighting

And don’t forget to have fun!! That’s the most important aspect of getting started with anything. The more you enjoy, the better you’ll learn. 😄

NOTE: This article was originally published by me here — https://agrmayank.github.io/AR-With-Unity/