I have always feel to write a good article about Augmented Reality (AR) and how tool like Blender could be used to create 3D AR contents, by anyone with computer. Finally I got chance to write about this.
I actually got some collection of AR notes and thoughts based on my own research on Augmented Reality last year that I have not published. I probably need to update the notes and hopefully can share my thought and research on this topic with you all soon.
BOOK: Prototyping AR
There is actually one good book talking about Augmented Reality and how you could use Blender to create one yourself:
http://www.blendernation.com/2011/12/13/book-prototyping-augmented-reality/
The writer/artist of that book titled "Prototyping Augmented Reality" is using the older Blender version, before 2.5x, so the interface shown on the book is the old Blender unfortunately. But still the book has some good contents and information on how you could translate your 3D into Augmented Reality using Flash ARToolkit and other methods.
DISPLAYING AR
Not long ago, we really rely on computer and webcam to display some experimental AR works. Today, we are bombarded with all kinds of technology that really "prepare" general users with incoming AR technology:
- Smartphones and Tablets with Internet connectivity and powerful computing that runs all kind of apps.
- Some other devices with cameras, such as Nintendo 3DS and Sony PSP VITA. Maybe Wii tablet as well? Not sure. Supposedly any device that act like camera with computer brain can actually augment.
- Incoming Glasses (like Google Project Glass) that enable people to see Augmented Reality information directly within they eyes-sensor vision.
- It does work great as promised on the app info page and the AR 3D model is fixed at the point you specified when you upload the model.
- The UV works as long the texture is saved together in the zip. So far, GlorAR has not provided any proper information about this. I just emailed them. Perhaps if you maintain the image texture file relative when exporting out from Blender, then it should work? I shall try again.
- I have not yet tested the animation (both joints or vertex deformation), I believe it should work.
- As you can see above, the 3D augmented object stayed oriented to the world, facing to the North/South of the world map. So you could go around with your iPad and see the AR. Inside Blender, I set Suzanne to be translated a few unit up from the World 0,0,0 position, facing the -Y axis with +Z as up axis.
- You could zoom in and out inside the app.
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| I took this from opposite side, so I flipped it. Apparently the AR respects the orientation quite nicely. |
This AR technology feels a bit gimmicky at times, and still is. People wonder what could be the use for such technology? At this moment, the commercial industry has big interest on this. Well, it always started in commercial sector. Then visualization and education industry may have interest for this matter too.
The thing that still will be the boundary for many years to come is the requirement of "expensive" gadgets for general public and also mobile Internet with good speed. But I supposed eventually everyone has a smart phone that is capable in displaying a basic Augmentation of information, such as the trend of QR code that is really only embedded in Japan and has become part of its culture.
Anyways, I will not talk too deep about AR in this article. For now, I just wanted to show you one example of AR project that you can do yourself at home today and now.
I reckon this technology will become really popular in 2013 if the application goes beyond casual gaming or private indoor exhibition.
VARIETY OF AR
- Marker Based = Single or Multiple Marker (marker is typically square box with black border, and black and white only).
- Image Tracking Based (it can be any image)
- Real Object Tracking, marker-less
- Located based, GPS, distance to point.
WHAT CAN BE AUGMENTED
AR objects:
- 3D objects, with texture, or simple materials.
- Animated images
- Animated 3D objects
- Text
- Video overlay
DIY: GLORAR PROJECT
Ok, so just the other day I found this GlorAR app for the iPad. This app allows you to place some 3D objects in a map using GPS data information. The cool thing about this GlorAR is that you can quickly upload your 3D AR contents using Internet browser at home.
THE REQUIREMENT: (apart from Computer)
1. 3D Tool that can export DAE format: Simply use Blender.
2. Your own 3D Contents.
3. Internet connection to GlorAR site.
4. The iPad --> to view your 3D AR in real world; I think their iPhone app will soon follows. Hopefully the Android app version as well.
I have yet to test the accuracy or how the AR is actually going to be shown on location because of the iPad requirement and Internet on the iPad (I can only do it from home with Wi-Fi on the iPad, and also not everyone has iPad), but let's just do upload some 3D Augmented Reality and place it on map.
1. Prepare your 3D object in Blender.
I will just use Suzanne the Monkey primitive object for this. You can of course have your own created 3D objects. I believe you can also upload animated 3D object with UV Texture, but not quite sure yet. I must do some actual test.
2. Make it interesting
Well, actually I shall recommend you to model your own 3D object, it will be a lot more interesting than just using a primitive 3D object or using other people's works. But it depends, maybe you are not a modeler, you can download 3D objects from Blendswap for example, or a 3D character rig that you could animate and then export out as AR objects.
Anyhow, back to our simple 3D object. With Suzanne, I will just Voxelize it using Remesh Modifier.
3. Do a Render
You will need some kind of thumbnail image to go with your AR. So do a 256 x 256 pixel render and save it as PNG.
4. Export 3D object as DAE (Collada)
We can now export out the 3D object from Blender to the format required by GlorAR: DAE, which is Collada format.
Save your 3D export with this name: model.dae
5. ZIP the DAE
Apart from the GlorAr wanting you to name your model as model.dae, you need to also ZIP it.
6. Upload to GlorAR.
Go to GlorAR website and simply click the UPLOAD button and follow the step by step instruction.
http://glorar.com/
Place your 3D on the world map. I live in Australia so I place one there.
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| No I did not live there. This is just a random location. Really. |
You should be able to follow instruction and upload all the files needed because we have prepared all the required files.
7. View your AR
That's pretty much it, you should be able to view the AR using the GlorAR app on the iPad. The only downside for this at the moment is the iPad requirement, which is kind of too much. Wait for the iPhone app version and maybe Android app. But in the meantime, let's try and populate the world map with your own 3D creation. Do upload some interesting 3D AR. Maybe even informative or inspiring? Let say if you actually create a SIGN at location that helps to give information to people or something.
UPDATE 2012.06.28:
I did a quick test and the snapshot as below as seen from the iPad frame:
QUICK VERDICT OF GLORAR:
UPDATE 2012.08.08: AURASMA
I explore a little bit on AR using Aurasma Studio. After testing some AR contents, I found out this is the best AR Authoring Tool out there that is available right now. Easily accessible and you can upload all kinds of AR contents to be attached to trigger image.
You can check out on my other blog which is focusing on Augmented Reality topic alone:
http://puppetar.blogspot.com.au/2012/08/aurasma-mario-ar.html
SUMMARY
This is definitely just an example project that is utilizing AR. A bit just a fun project to do. There are actually some other AR apps such as AURASMA or Junaio AR that allows you to do similar thing.
I recently purchased a license from AR-Media to export out 3D AR contents to be viewed using their app. That one is also worth trying. Although their plugins are only supporting: 3dsmax, Maya, or Sketchup. No Blender plugins:
http://www.inglobetechnologies.com/en/products.php
I supposed, in near future, AR can be projected to just about any 3D objects, will not require marker, and will be heaps better.
Do comment below and tell me where you placed your AR. Thanks for reading.
RELATED LINKS
Total Immersion
http://www.libspark.org/wiki/saqoosha/FLARToolKit/en
AR-Media
http://www.inglobetechnologies.com/en/products.php
HITLAB NZ BuildAR
http://www.hitlabnz.org/Home
ARToolKit
Panoramio
http://www.panoramio.com/
Blippar
http://www.blippar.com/
String SDK
http://www.poweredbystring.com/developers/
Metaio (JUNAIO)
http://www.metaio.com/store/
Aurasma
MixAR
http://www.empireisis.com/ar.html
http://www.kickstarter.com/projects/1492185039/mixar-augmented-reality-editor-for-iphone
Sekai Camera
BlueMars Avatar Reality
bluemars.com
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