The Vuforia Engine team has been working hard to offer our developers more ways to create immersive, engaging AR experiences – and today we get to show you that work. Vuforia Engine 9.0 includes the following advancements and functionality:
• Vuforia Engine Area Targets with Area Target Generator
• Scanned Model Targets
• Advanced Model Targets – Multiple Model Detection
• Continued experiences when pausing applications
• Simulation Play Mode
• Vuforia Engine Tracking Scale
Vuforia Engine Area Targets enable developers to use an entire space, be it a factory floor or retail store, as an augmented reality target. Using our first supported device, a Matterport Pro2 camera, developers can create a detailed 3D scan of a desired location. Locations are recommended to be indoors, mostly static, and no larger than 1,000 m² (10,000 sqft). Once the scan produces a 3D model it can be converted into an Area Target with the Vuforia Area Target Generator. This target can then be brought into Unity where content can be placed within a digital representation of the space.
Model Targets are one of our most powerful features that use CAD models to offer robust tracking. To offer even more use cases, we’ve extended its capabilities to support multiple objects being detected from any angle in the scene. This allows applications to recognize multiple objects automatically just by pointing your camera at them. To increase the accessibility of Model Targets, we published a detailed guide for using Model Targets with objects that have been scanned using a 3D scanner, such as the Structure Sensor Mark II from Occipital. Scanned Model Targets allow developers to build experiences that offer all the same powerful tracking without having to get access to a CAD model.
To help developers better visualize their AR applications, we’re offering a Simulation Play Mode. This allows users to “walk through” or around the 3D model and see the final AR experience from their computer. This can be useful for testing applications where you may have limited access to the physical space or object.
We’ve also made user improvements for both developers and end-users. For developers, we’re now offering Vuforia Engine Tracking Scale. This will automatically convert from meters, which Vuforia Engine natively uses, to whatever unit system you’re using in Unity. Tracking when an application is interrupted has also been optimized. This could be when you get a phone call or open another application. When the user comes back to the AR application tracking will continue.
For a more detailed look at each of our new updates, please review our release notes. If you have questions about this release or other Vuforia Engine features, feel free to post on our community forums.
Thanks, Vuforia Engine Team