Getting started with Augmented Reality (AR) using Unity.
Want to develop AR apps but not sure where to start? 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!
Must know either C# or Javascript for coding.
Must have latest Android/iOS device supported by different SDK.
- Download Unity version 2018 or above.
- Choose Android/iOS/Vuforia build support depending upon your requirements.
- Download Microsoft Visual Studio Community.
- Platform specific SDK such as Android build tools are also required.
| ☆ | Name | Description |
| --- | --- | --- |
★★★ | ARKit |
ARKit is a unique framework that enables brands and developers to design and
create unparalleled experiences for compatible iPhone and iPad devices
(compatible iPhone’s and iPad’s must be equipped with an A9 processor or above).
The ARKit SDK functions in the same way as most AR SDK’s function, by enabling
digital information and 3D objects to be blended with the real world but offers
largely unparalleled accessibility in terms of the number of existing devices
that it supports.
★★★ | ARCore | Google’s proprietary augmented
reality SDK. Similar to ARKit, it 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.
★★★ |
ARFoundation | Unity has always been at the forefront of
handheld AR development and we’ve supported ARCore and ARKit from the start. But
with AR Foundation and the software architecture it leverages, we can now offer
developers a common API which supports core functionality for ARCore, ARKit, and
future platforms.
★★☆ | Vuforia | Vuforia is one of the most
popular platforms to help you work with augmented reality development. It
implements the following functionalities: recognition of the different types of
visual objects (a box, cylinder, plane), text and environments recognition,
VuMark (a combination of picture and QR-code). Also, using Vuforia Object
Scanner, you can scan and create object targets. The recognition process can be
implemented using the database (local or cloud storage). Unity plugin is simple
to integrate and very powerful.
★★☆ | Wikitude | Wikitude is an
SDK specifically designed for developing mobile AR apps and prototypes. The
company was founded back in 2008 in Salzburg, Austria. When the Wikitude SDK was
initially launched, the platform was designed with a core objective: to enable
AR developers to create location-centric augmented reality experiences through
the Wikitude World Browser app. Fast forward to 2012 and Wikitude repositioned
its core technology offering by launching the Wikitude SDK with geolocation
features, tracking, and image recognition all baked directly into the core
platform.
★★☆ | Kudan | Kudan AR SDK is chosen by professional
developers looking for an all-in-one SDK that can support marker or markerless
tracking and location requirements. It's fast, light and ready to be ported into
any platforms with any peripherals as well.Our SLAM is designed to be as general
purpose as possible. It can be used equally well in a variety of situations,
ranging from mobile positional tracking through to autonomous driving.
★★☆ |
MaxST | Maxst specializes in providing AR software solutions for a
variety of industries including fashion, publication, travel & leisure, and
advertising. The company launched their first Augmented Reality SDK in South
Korea. Later it created and introduced the AR Virtual Fitting System which gave
shoppers an opportunity to try on clothing and apparel before making a purchase.
Other Maxst products and services include image processing, Augmented Reality
tours and AR games. Downside: Maxst, doesn’t offer Geolocation, Cloud
recognition or SLAM support.
★★☆ | ARToolKit | ARtoolKIt is an
open source tracking library for augmented reality. ARtoolKit implements the
following functionalities: Single-camera or stereo-camera camera
position/orientation tracking, Tracking of simple black squares, Tracking of
planar images, Camera calibration and optical stereo calibration, Plugins for
Unity and OpenSceneGraph, Optical head-mounted display support, Free and open
source software, Fast enough for real time AR applications.
★☆☆ |
EasyAR | EasyAR is offered in both a free basic version and a Pro
version at a $499 licensing fee that starts from 100 uses per day. Winner of
the 2016 World Augmented Reality Expo’s Best Software Award, EasyAR 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. Other benefits include the absence of watermarks and no
irritating time limitations. A possible downside: some users, have reported
difficulties with EasyAR’s image stability.
★☆☆ | 8th Wall |
True Web AR. Create rich augmented reality experiences that work on every mobile
device.
★★★ | Lumin (Magic Leap) | Create new worlds
within our world. Trailblazers, storytellers and dream chasers — new worlds are
yours for the making. Become a Magic Leap creator and start pioneering the
uncharted frontier of spatial computing.
★★★ |
MixedReality Toolkit (HoloLens) | MRTK-Unity
provides a set of foundational components and features to accelerate MR app
development in Unity. The latest Release of MRTK (V2) supports HoloLens/HoloLens
2, Windows Mixed Reality, and OpenVR platforms. Provides the basic building
blocks for unity development on HoloLens, Windows Mixed Reality, and OpenVR,
Showcases UX best practices with UI controls that match Windows Mixed Reality
and HoloLens Shell, Enables rapid prototyping via in-editor simulation that
allows you to see changes immediately, Is extensible. Provides devs ability to
swap out core components and extend the framework.
- 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
For the latest article, refer to this Medium article.
Open for everyone to contribute and use.
Licensed under the MIT License.