You can certainly develop QCAR apps without Unity. Unity is a game development tool that makes working with models, animations, physics, etc. easier. If you're creating an app with lots of 3D content you might find it faster to get up and running with Unity.

The other approach is to use the native SDK and render your 3D content with OpenGL ES. Then you can use Android and Eclipse.

- Kim

Hello wingrider,
Can apps be developed without using UNITY? Im new to app development.I have developed sample apps using android and Eclipse.
i have setup qcar 1..5 configured and m using eclipse to play with the imagetarget sample app.

Could you please tell me the significance of UNITY? Can i develop apps without it?

Thanks in advance
-Mukundan G

First thing you need to do is get Unity Android version installed and get it setup. If you haven't already done this follow the instructions in the link below and you should be good to go.

http://unity3d.com/support/documentation/Manual/android-sdksetup.html

Once you have this done. Go tohttps://ar.qualcomm.at/qdevnet/

Setup a developers account
Once done go to Downloads and download the relevant Qcar package for whichever platform you're using

Then simply imprt the package into unity and see if the demo scene works. Build that onto your android device and that's it. You have your first AR setup. Once you look at how the scene is setup you will have a better idea of how everything works.
Hope this helps!