How to Build an Augmented Reality App: Everything You Need to Know to Succeed

What comes to your mind when someone mentions augmented reality (AR)? Is it Pokémon Go - the mobile game that has swept the world by storm with over 750,000 downloads? Is it the virtual try-ons of the different lip shades? Is it the impressive 3D artifacts that you can spin around, zoom in, and zoom out in real-time that are shown in movies?

Even though augmented reality seems like a baby in the technology landscape, it has actually been around since 1968. However, it wasn’t until 1991 that the term “Augmented reality” was coined by Boeing researcher Tim Caudell. The technology has been popularized by the entertainment augmented reality apps - which is why AR is often associated with this sector. In reality, however, AR development has flourished in the past years, and its use cases are diverse and interesting.

If you are intrigued by the endless possibilities of AR technology and strive to create an AR app with the same impact as Pokémon Go, this article is the right place to start. Here, you will find an overview of the augmented reality app development process from concept to launch and the key considerations of how to build an augmented reality app.

How Augmented Reality Apps Work

Prior to outlining the considerations that must be taken into account when developing augmented reality apps, we would like to briefly go over how AR apps work. There are common types of AR apps:

Marker-based Applications

Market-based augmented reality applications work by using a smartphone or camera to scan a QR code or pattern on the marker, after which the program overlays digital data. The program then produces 3D pictures, films, other pictures, or even scenery that you can interact with using your phone. Examples of marker-based AR apps are Augmented Reality QR codes or logos, in which you point your camera toward to see characters.

Markerless Applications

As the most common kind of AR application, instead of relying on predetermined patterns or codes, markerless applications use a camera to detect the environment patterns, and the motion sensors detect the surfaces and place the 3D objects in the AR. This type of AR application is often powered by machine learning algorithms in addition to depth sensors. An instance of a markerless AR app is IKEA Place.

Location-based Applications

AR apps can use location-specific data to display virtual content precisely when users enter a given area. This is the operation mechanism of location-based augmented reality. Developers have the option to provide things in geographical space for users to view and interact with as an alternative to merely displaying them in relative space. Google Maps Live View is a well-known example of location-based AR apps.

Superimposition AR

Superimposition AR involves partially or completely replacing an object’s original view with an augmented view. In this instance, object recognition is crucial since, without it, an app cannot replace an original AR object.

Top Augmented Reality Features

Augmented reality development takes a lot of time and careful planning. There are a variety of features to consider during the development process. It can be tempting to choose the trendiest ones while overlooking the essential, must-have functions. Below is a list of features all AR app developers should pay attention to.

Real-time Performance

Since augmented reality (AR) apps are in the process of real-time overlaying and trying to create the illusion, the real-time performance of the app is crucial. Lagging apps give users a poor and unsatisfactory user experience.

Object Recognition

This is one of the fundamental features of any kind of AR app in order to provide users with an immersive experience.

Strong, High-quality Graphics

Without strong, high-quality visuals, an augmented reality experience would not be complete. The presence of realistic 3D models significantly improves the AR experience.

Cross-platform

Don’t forget the different kinds of devices that can support AR. Try to keep the experience consistent across all operating systems; this would also help you reach a wider audience.

How to Choose the Right AR Software Development Kit?

A software development kit, or SDK, is a collection of building tools specifically designed for a particular platform. Whether you are aiming to build a simple augmented reality app or a more sophisticated one, there are numerous development kits available to choose from. Pay attention to the following criteria to choose the best AR SDKs for your team.

Cost

If you are a first-time AR app developer, it might be a good idea to use free, open-source AR SDKs. If you are willing to pay for a commercial license since you are looking to build an app with complex, dynamic, and large AR content, it is a good idea to still try the free or demo version. This is so you can see if this is the right choice for you and your team.

Platforms

Choosing an AR toolkit depends on whether your app is built for Android devices or IOS devices, for Windows or macOS. These specifications can limit or broaden your choices.

Tracking and Recognizing Images

This refers to both 2D images and 3D images. These are crucial criteria since understanding and recognizing images allows the app to adjust, scale, and utilize the space, especially the larger ones.

Unity and OpenSceneGraph Support

Unity is one of the most popular and powerful game engines, while OpenSceneGraph is an open-source 3D graphic toolkit. Both are necessary for building a successful AR app.

Cloud support and local storage: Try to determine how many markers you are going to add. If you aim to add quite a number of them, consider storing them in the cloud. However, if you save markers locally, users will be able to use your augmented reality software offline - a useful feature considering that mobile internet and Wi-Fi aren’t always available. Do track the number of markers, too, because some toolkits support 100 markers only, while others support up to thousands.