Augmented Reality (AR) is the way of the future. It’s already a pretty common marketing tool, and if you’ve ever used a face filter then you’ve used AR! Since almost everything has been moved to a virtual space, you can use AR to help make your presentations much more interesting.
Earlier this week, University Libraries hosted a workshop where they showed the basics of how to use an AR composer app to elevate presentations as part of their Alkek One fall workshop offerings, and we’ve compiled some of the highlights.
Creating AR Presentations
Reality Composer is an app created by Apple that allows anyone to quickly learn how to build unique AR experiences by blending reality and the virtual world on your iPhone, iPad, or Mac. Using Reality Composer is pretty simple, and you don’t need to know how to code or have any prior 3D knowledge. As long as your device has iOS 13.2 or higher, and you’ve installed the Reality Composer app, you’re good to start.
Happening now! Bobcats are learning how to use Augmented Reality during today's Alkek One workshop. AR can be used to make 3D presentations with just your mobile phone or tablet! #txst pic.twitter.com/VDXaSdlH9N
— DOIT (@TXST_DoIT) September 21, 2020
Once you’ve started a project, you need to create an Anchor. An anchor is the real-world reference around which you build your composition and allows your user to interact with the scene. Pinning content to your anchor creates the illusion that your content is part of the real world.
Next step is to build your composition by adding, positioning, and configuring 3D objects. You can add an asset in usdz format and just drag them onto the project canvas, but Reality Composer also has a large selection of objects that you can use ranging from realistic, stylized, and iconic. Add your object by clicking the Objects button, and double-click or drag an item from the popup onto your canvas.
We also learned how to add behaviors, which adds animations and sound effects that react to events in the environment. This lets your user interact with the objects by tapping them or moving close to it. Click the Behaviors button in the Toolbar to reveal the Behaviors pane at the bottom of the composition window, and then click the plus button.
https://twitter.com/TXST_DoIT/status/1308097259804921857
Finally, we learned how to export our file, and send it as an email attachment.
We hope Bobcats had fun and learned some new skills with AR. This workshop was part of Alkek One’s fall workshop offerings lead by Dr. Khoi Nguyen, emerging technology supervisor. Alkek One is a hub of technology-focused spaces located on the first floor of Albert B. Alkek Library at Texas State University. The spaces feature a variety of technology that support the maker culture, immersive reality, time-based media, geographic information systems and digital design.
If you missed this workshop, luckily Alkek One will be hosting another one just like it and a lot of other various workshops with a variety of skills you can learn such as video editing, story mapping, and more. Be sure to sign up!
Chantal Lesley is a marketing and communications specialist student employee in the IT Marketing and Communications office.
