How to Build 15 Augmented Reality (AR) Apps with Unity & Vuforia for Free
Augmented reality (AR) is a technology that overlays digital content on top of the real world. It can enhance your perception of reality by adding information, interactivity, and entertainment to your surroundings. AR has many applications in various fields such as education, entertainment, gaming, marketing, tourism, and more.
build 15 augmented reality (ar) apps with unity amp; vuforia free download
One of the best ways to create AR apps is by using Unity and Vuforia. Unity is a powerful game engine that allows you to create immersive 3D experiences for multiple platforms. Vuforia is a leading AR platform that provides features such as image tracking, object tracking, ground plane tracking, mid-air tracking, virtual buttons, cloud recognition, and more.
In this article, you will learn how to build 15 AR apps with Unity and Vuforia for free. You will also learn how to test and run your apps on Android and iOS devices. By the end of this article, you will have a solid foundation of AR development with Unity and Vuforia.
What You Need to Get Started
Before you start creating your AR apps, you need to Before you start creating your AR apps, you need to prepare some prerequisites. Here are the steps you need to follow:
Register as a Vuforia developer. You need to create a free account on the to access the Vuforia SDK and other resources. You will also need to create a license key for each of your AR apps.
Install Unity 2021.3. You can download the latest version of Unity from the . Make sure to select the Vuforia Augmented Reality Support module during the installation process. This will enable you to use the Vuforia features in Unity.
Check if your device supports AR. You need a smartphone or tablet that has a camera and can run Android or iOS apps. You can check the to test your device's AR capabilities.
Once you have completed these steps, you are ready to create your first AR app with Unity and Vuforia.
How to Create an AR Experience with Unity and Vuforia
In this section, you will learn how to create an AR experience with Unity and Vuforia. You will use different types of tracking methods to recognize and augment various objects in the real world. You will also learn how to add interactivity and animation to your AR content. Here are the steps you will follow:
Step 1: Project setup
The first step is to set up your Unity project and import the Vuforia package. Here are the substeps you need to follow:
Create a new Unity 3D project. Open Unity and click on New to create a new project. Name your project as "AR Apps with Unity and Vuforia" and choose a location for it. Click on Create.
Import the Vuforia package. In the Unity editor, go to Window > Package Manager and search for "Vuforia". Select the Vuforia Engine AR package and click on Install. This will import the Vuforia assets and scripts into your project.
Create a license key. Go back to the and click on Develop > License Manager. Click on Add License Key and enter a name for your app. Click on Next and accept the terms and conditions. Copy the license key that is generated for you.
Paste the license key in Unity. In the Unity editor, go to Edit > Project Settings > XR Plug-in Management > Vuforia > Global > App License Key and paste the license key that you copied from the Vuforia portal.
Congratulations, you have successfully set up your Unity project for AR development with Vuforia.
Step 2: Image tracking
The next step is to use image tracking to recognize and augment 2D images in the real world. Image tracking is one of the most common and popular features of AR, as it allows you to create immersive experiences based on printed or digital images. Here are the substeps you need to follow:
Create a Vuforia database. Go back to the and click on Develop > Target Manager. Click on Add Database and enter a name for your database, such as "Image Targets". Choose Device as the type and click on Create.
Upload image targets. In your database, click on Add Target and choose Single Image as the type. Browse for an image file that you want to use as an image target, such as a logo, a poster, or a magazine cover. Enter a width value for your image target, such as 10 cm, and click on Add.
Download database package. In your database, click on Download Database (All) and choose Unity Editor as the development platform. Save the package file in your computer.
Import database package in Unity. In the Unity editor, go to Assets > Import Package > Custom Package and browse for the package file that you downloaded from the Vuforia portal. Click on Import.
Add an AR camera to your scene. In the Unity editor, go to GameObject > XR > AR Camera to add an AR camera prefab to your scene. This is a special camera that enables AR functionality in your app.
Add an Download a 3D model of a Lamborghini car. You can find many 3D models of Lamborghini cars online, such as on . Choose a model that you like and download it in a format that is compatible with Unity, such as .fbx or .obj.
Import the 3D model in Unity. In the Unity editor, go to Assets > Import New Asset and browse for the 3D model file that you downloaded. Click on Import.
Place the 3D model on the ground plane. In the Unity editor, drag and drop the 3D model as a child of the anchor point in the hierarchy. You can adjust its position, rotation, and scale as you like. This will make the 3D model appear on the ground plane when you run your app.
Awesome, you have successfully created an AR app that uses ground plane tracking to place a life-size Lamborghini car in the real world.
Step 5: Mid-air tracking
The next step is to use mid-air tracking to place a life-size drone in the air using Vuforia mid-air feature. Mid-air tracking is a feature that allows you to detect vertical surfaces such as walls or windows and place virtual objects on them without using any markers or images. Here are the substeps you need to follow:
Add a mid-air stage to your scene. In the Unity editor, go to GameObject > Vuforia Engine > Mid Air > Mid Air Stage and add it to your scene. This will add a mid-air stage prefab that will detect vertical surfaces in your environment.
Add an anchor point to your scene. In the Unity editor, go to GameObject > Vuforia Engine > Mid Air > Anchor Point and add it to your scene. This will add an anchor point prefab that will act as a reference point for placing virtual objects on the mid-air stage.
Link the anchor point to the mid-air stage. In the Unity editor, select the mid-air stage in the hierarchy and drag and drop the anchor point into its Anchor Stage field in the inspector.
Download a 3D model of a drone. You can find many 3D models of drones online, such as on . Choose a model that you like and download it in a format that is compatible with Unity, such as .fbx or .obj.
Import the 3D model in Unity. In the Unity editor, go to Assets > Import New Asset and browse for the 3D model file that you downloaded. Click on Import.
Place the 3D model on the mid-air stage. In the Unity editor, drag and drop the 3D model as a child of the anchor point in the hierarchy. You can adjust its position, rotation, and scale as you like. This will make the 3D model appear on the mid-air stage when you run your app.
Fantastic, you have successfully created an AR app that uses mid-air tracking to place a life-size drone in the air.
Step 6: Virtual buttons
The next step is to use virtual buttons to create an interactive business card using AR virtual buttons. Virtual buttons are invisible buttons that can be triggered by touching or tapping on them in AR. They can be used to add interactivity and functionality to your AR content. Here are the substeps you need to follow:
Create an image target for your business card. In the Vuforia developer portal, go to Develop > Target Manager and select your database. Click on Add Target and choose Single Image as the type. Browse for an image file of your business card, such as a logo or a QR code. Enter a width value for your image target, such as 10 cm, and click on Add.
Add virtual buttons to your image target. In your database, select your image target and click on Edit Virtual Buttons. Click on Add Virtual Button and draw a rectangle over an area of your image target that you want to use as a button, such as your name or phone number. Name your button accordingly, such as "Name" or "Phone". Repeat this process for any other buttons that you want to add to your image target.
Download database package. In your database, click on Download Database (All) and choose Unity Editor as the development platform. Save the package file in your computer.
Import database package in Unity. In Import database package in Unity. In the Unity editor, go to Assets > Import Package > Custom Package and browse for the package file that you downloaded from the Vuforia portal. Click on Import.
Add an image target to your scene. In the Unity editor, go to GameObject > Vuforia Engine > Image and select the image target that you uploaded to your database. This will add an image target prefab to your scene. You can adjust its position, rotation, and scale as you like.
Add virtual buttons to your scene. In the Unity editor, expand the image target in the hierarchy and select the virtual buttons that you created in the Vuforia portal. You can adjust their position, rotation, and scale as you like.
Add a script to handle virtual button events. In the Unity editor, go to Assets > Create > C# Script and name it "VirtualButtonHandler". Double-click on the script to open it in Visual Studio or your preferred code editor. Write a script that implements the IVirtualButtonEventHandler interface and registers the virtual buttons in the Start method. Then, write methods to handle the OnButtonPressed and OnButtonReleased events for each virtual button. For example, you can play a sound, display a text, or open a URL when a button is pressed or released.
Attach the script to your image target. In the Unity editor, select the image target in the hierarchy and drag and drop the VirtualButtonHandler script into its inspector. Save your scene.
Excellent, you have successfully created an AR app that uses virtual buttons to create an interactive business card.
Step 7: Cloud recognition
The final step is to use cloud recognition and best practices to recognize multiple image targets from the cloud. Cloud recognition is a feature that allows you to store and manage your image targets in the cloud instead of locally on your device. This can improve the performance, scalability, and security of your AR app. Here are the substeps you need to follow:
Create a cloud database. In the Vuforia developer portal, go to Develop > Target Manager and click on Add Database. Enter a name for your database, such as "Cloud Targets". Choose Cloud as the type and click on Create.
Upload image targets to your cloud database. In your database, click on Add Target and choose Single Image as the type. Browse for an image file that you want to use as an image target, such as a logo, a poster, or a magazine cover. Enter a width value for your image target, such as 10 cm, and click on Add.
Generate an access key and secret key for your cloud database. In your database, click on Generate Cloud Key Pair and enter a name for your key pair, such as "Cloud Keys". Click on Generate and copy the access key and secret key that are generated for you.
Paste the access key and secret key in Unity. In the Unity editor, go to Edit > Project Settings > XR Plug-in Management > Vuforia > Global > Cloud Recognition Service Access Key and paste the access key that you copied from the Vuforia portal. Do the same for Cloud Recognition Service Secret Key.
Add a cloud reco behaviour to your scene. In the Unity editor, go to GameObject > Vuforia Engine > Cloud Reco Behaviour and add it to your scene. This will add a cloud reco behaviour prefab that will enable cloud recognition in your app.
Link the cloud reco behaviour to your AR camera. In Link the cloud reco behaviour to your AR camera. In the Unity editor, select the cloud reco behaviour in the hierarchy and drag and drop the AR camera into its AR Camera field in the inspector.
Add a content positioner to your scene. In the Unity editor, go to GameObject > Vuforia Engine > Content Positioner and add it to your scene. This will add a content positioner prefab that will help you position your AR content relative to the image target.
Add a script to handle cloud reco events. In the Unity editor, go to Assets > Create > C# Script and name it "CloudRecoHandler". Double-click on the script to open it in Visual Studio or your preferred code editor. Write a script that implements the ICloudRecoEventHandler interface and registers the cloud reco behaviour in the Start method. Then, write methods to handle the OnInitialized, OnInitializedError, OnUpdateError, OnStateChanged, OnNewSearchResult, and OnContentPositioningBehaviourInitialized events for the cloud reco behaviour. For example, you can enable or disable cloud recognition, display error messages, instantiate AR content based on the image target metadata, and position the AR content using the content positioner.
Attach the script to your cloud reco behaviour. In the Unity editor, select the cloud reco behaviour in the hierarchy and drag and drop the CloudRecoHandler script into its inspector. Save your scene.
Amazing, you have successfully created an AR app that uses cloud recognition and best practices to recognize multiple image targets from the cloud.
How to Test and Run Your AR Apps on Android and iOS Devices
Now that you have created your AR apps with Unity and Vuforia, you might want to test and run them on your Android or iOS devices. This will allow you to see how your apps look and perform in real-world scenarios. Here are the steps you need to follow:
Step 1: Build settings
The first step is to configure your build settings for your target platform. Here are the substeps you need to follow:
Choose your platform. In the Unity editor, go to File > Build Settings and choose Android or iOS as your platform. Click on Switch Platform.
Configure player settings. In the Build Settings window, click on Player Settings and make sure that you have entered a product name, a company name, a bundle identifier, and an icon for your app. You can also change other settings such as resolution, orientation, graphics, and input as you like.
Add scenes. In the Build Settings window, click on Add Open Scenes and add all the scenes that you want to include in your app. You can also drag and drop scenes from your Assets folder into the Scenes In Build list.
Nice work, you have successfully configured your build settings for your target platform.
Step 2: Connect your device
The next step is to connect your device to your computer and enable developer mode and USB debugging. Here are the substeps you need to follow:
Enable developer mode. On your Android device, go to Settings > About Phone and tap on Build Number seven times until you see a message saying "You are now a developer". On your iOS device, go to Settings > General > Device Management and trust your Apple ID.
Enable USB debugging. On your Android device, go to Settings > Developer Options and turn on USB Debugging. On your iOS device, go to Settings > Developer and turn on UI Automation.
Connect via USB cable or Wi-Fi. Connect your device to your computer using a USB cable or Wi-Fi. Make sure that your device is recognized by your computer and that you have authorized it for debugging.
Good job, you have successfully connected your device to your computer and enabled developer mode and USB debugging.
Step 3: Run your app
The final step is to build and run your app on your device and enjoy your AR experience. Here are the substeps you need to follow:
Click build and run. In the Unity editor, go back to File > Build Settings and click on Build And Run. Choose a location for your app file and click on Save.
Install the app on your device. Wait for Unity to build and install the app on your device. You might need to accept some permissions or security prompts on your device.
Enjoy your AR experience. Launch the app on Enjoy your AR experience. Launch the app on your device and point your camera at the image targets, object targets, ground plane, or mid-air stage that you have prepared. You should see your AR content appear on your screen and interact with your environment. You can also touch or tap on the virtual buttons to trigger different actions.
Congratulations, you have successfully built and run your AR apps on your Android or iOS devices.
Conclusion
In this article, you have learned how to build 15 AR apps with Unity and Vuforia for free. You have also learned how to test and run your apps on Android and iOS devices. You have covered the following topics:
What is AR and why is it important
What are the benefits of using Unity and Vuforia for AR development
What are the prerequisites for creating AR apps with Unity and Vuforia
How to create an AR experience with Unity and Vuforia using different types of tracking methods
How to add interactivity and animation to your AR content
How to use cloud recognition and best practices to recognize multiple image targets from the cloud
How to configure your build settings for your target platform
How to connect your device to your computer and enable developer mode and USB debugging
How to build and run your app on your device and enjoy your AR experience
By following this article, you have gained a solid foundation of AR development with Unity and Vuforia. You have also created some amazing AR apps that you can showcase to your friends, family, or clients. You can also use these apps as a starting point for creating more complex and advanced AR experiences.
However, this is not the end of your AR journey. There is still much more to learn and explore in the world of AR. You can always improve your skills and knowledge by reading more articles, books, tutorials, and courses on AR development. You can also join online communities, forums, and groups of AR enthusiasts and developers who can help you with your questions, challenges, and ideas.
AR is a technology that has the potential to change the way we see, interact, and learn from the world around us. It can also create new opportunities for entertainment, education, business, and social good. By creating AR apps with Unity and Vuforia, you are not only having fun, but also contributing to the future of AR.
We hope you enjoyed this article and learned something new and useful. Thank you for reading and happy coding!
FAQs
Here are some frequently asked questions about AR development with Unity and Vuforia:
Q1: What is the difference between AR and VR?
A1: AR stands for augmented reality, which is a technology that overlays digital content on top of the real world. VR stands for virtual reality, which is a technology that immerses you in a completely artificial environment. Both technologies can create amazing experiences, but they have different goals and applications.
Q2: What are the advantages of using Unity and Vuforia for AR development?
A2: Unity and Vuforia are two of the most popular and powerful tools for creating AR apps. Some of their advantages are:
They are easy to use and learn, especially for beginners.
They support multiple platforms, such as Android, iOS, Windows, Mac, Linux, web, etc.
They provide a rich set of features and functionalities for creating immersive and interactive AR experiences.
They have a large and active community of developers and users who can provide support, feedback, and inspiration.
They are free to use for personal or educational purposes.
Q3: How can I learn more about AR development with Unity and Vuforia?
A3: There are many resources available online that can help you learn more about AR development with Unity and Vuforia. Some of them are:
The official , which provide comprehensive guides, tutorials, references, samples, tips, and tricks on how to use their tools.
The official , which is an app that lets you catch and battle Pokemon in the real world using AR.
These are some of the examples of AR apps that use Unity and Vuforia. You can find more examples on the or by searching online. You can also get inspired by these apps and create your own AR apps with Unity and Vuforia.
Q5: How can I monetize my AR apps with Unity and Vuforia?
A5: There are several ways to monetize your AR apps with Unity and Vuforia. Some of them are:
Ads: You can use the .
In-app purchases: You can use the .
Sponsorships: You can partner with brands or companies that want to promote their products or services in your AR apps, such as by displaying their logos, banners, videos, or 3D models. You can negotiate a fee or a commission for each sponsorship deal.
Affiliate marketing: You can link to products or services that are relevant to your AR apps, such as by using QR codes, URLs, or buttons. You can earn a commission for each referral or sale that you generate.
Donations: You can ask your users to support your AR apps by making voluntary donations, such as by using .
These are some of the ways to monetize your AR apps with Unity and Vuforia. You can choose the best option for your app based on your target audience, niche, and goals. You can also combine different methods to maximize your revenue potential. 44f88ac181