Get started with Unity and build an amazing augmented reality tutorial

If you’re a software developer looking to build some truly immersive augmented reality (AR) experiences, then look no further than Unity. Unity is a widely-used game engine that can be used to build AR applications that run on a wide variety of platforms, including Windows, Mac, iOS, and Android.

In this tutorial, we’ll explore some key tips and tricks for getting started with Unity and building an amazing AR experience. But first, let’s briefly discuss what augmented reality is and why it’s becoming so popular.

What is augmented reality?

Augmented reality is a technology that enhances a user’s real-world environment by overlaying computer-generated elements such as images, videos, and sounds. Unlike virtual reality, which creates an entirely new immersive environment, AR enhances the real world by layering digital information over it.

AR technology is rapidly growing in popularity and has found many use cases in various industries such as healthcare, education, entertainment, and gaming.

Why use Unity for AR development?

There are several game engines available for AR development. However, Unity is one of the most popular ones. Unity offers a range of features and tools that allows developers to create immersive experiences that can be run on multiple platforms. Here are some reasons why you should consider using Unity for your next AR project:

Easy to use: Unity has a user-friendly interface that allows non-programmers to create AR experiences.
Wide range of toolkits: Unity comes with a variety of toolkits, such as ARFoundation and Vuforia, which enable developers to create AR experiences quickly.
Cross-platform support: Unity can build AR apps for Windows, Mac, iOS, Android, and more platforms. Developers do not need to build multiple versions of the same app for different devices.
Asset store: Unity has an asset store where developers can purchase or download various assets to use in their AR projects. This saves valuable development time, resources and reduces cost

How to get started with Unity for AR development?

Before we dive into building an AR experience, you’ll need to set up your Unity environment for AR development. Here are the setup steps:

Download and install Unity: Visit the official Unity website and download the latest version of Unity hub and install it on your computer.
Install AR toolkits: To begin AR development on Unity, we need to install the AR toolkits. The two most popular AR plugins are Vuforia and ARFoundation. Both offer different features, and you can choose the one that suits your needs better.
Set up your project: After you have installed the required plugins, you can create a new Unity project and set it up for AR development. You can do this by following the below steps:
- Go to the Unity Hub and click “Projects” on the left-hand panel.
- Click “New” on the right-hand panel.
- Set the name and location of your project. Under the “Template” section, choose the AR Template to set up the project for AR development.
- Click the “Create” button to create your project and open it in the Unity editor.

Building your first AR experience with Unity:

Now that you have set up your environment let’s build an AR experience!. In this tutorial, we are going to create a simple AR experience that places a 3D object over a surface. Here are the steps:

Open the Unity editor and create a new scene.
Import a 3D model of an object of your choice into the scene. You can find many free 3D models in the Asset Store.
Add an AR Camera to the scene. The AR camera is used to capture the user’s environment and track it.
Set up image target detection. An image target is an image that the AR camera recognizes as a surface to place the 3D model over. You can define an image target by adding an image to your project and creating a database using Vuforia.
Add an image target to the scene and link it to your 3D model.

Conclusion:

Unity is an excellent tool for creating AR experiences. It’s easy to use, has a wide range of toolkits, and offers cross-platform support. With Unity, you can create complex AR experiences that will truly immerse your users. By following the above steps, you can get started with AR development on Unity and create your first AR experience in no time!