The soaring popularity of Augmented Reality applications is an exciting change after the dawn of the E-commerce industry that changed how we conduct business forever. Now, AR is set to revolutionize E-commerce and change consumers’ preferences to shop. With new and better 3D tools capable of creating everything from a furniture model to a product prototype, augmented reality apps have become more popular among businesses and consumers. With the projected growth of the global augmented reality market, this new era of Consumer-Business relations is set to change the mannerism of conduct in the business world forever. 

But how should a business proceed? Well, understanding the role of 3D is an excellent starting point as it forms the entire foundation of Augmented Reality. This article will act as a guide to help you understand the role of 3D in augmented reality, the underlying technology, and what are a few things your AR applications need to succeed. Now let’s get started.

Understanding Augmented Reality

AR (augmented reality) is one of the most prominent immersive techs encompassing the industry, with applications stretching from gaming applications to wearables. It tries to integrate real-world world objectivities into a virtual form and help its users to interact with them similarly. AR devices such as smart glasses and head-mounted displays enable these possibilities and keep the users hooked to the product as they would be while interacting with it physically.

By transforming data into 3D representations, AR enhances the understanding and visualization of complex information through Simple 3D objects. It is a crucial driver of digital transformation, reshaping environments and real-world objects into digital artifacts.

Support for the creation of Augmented reality has Impressive statistics that underscore its potential, with projections of 1.73 billion AR users by 2024, 30+ million AR headset shipments by the end of 2023, and significant market growth, with the market value expected to reach $198 billion by 2025 and revenues from the AR/VR market are forecasted to soar to new heights shortly.

These statistics highlight the widespread adoption and immense possibilities of AR technology. This also incentivizes businesses to invest in augmented reality apps for their products and take advantage of the ongoing trend.

3D: The Foundation for AR Applications

As we have learned the basics, the critical question is: what is the connection between inseparable 3D and augmented reality apps? We will get to that part, but before that, we will take a brief overview of AR-Based applications and then understand the role 3D plays.

Brief Overview of AR-Based Applications

Once you understand AR (Augmented reality), you can easily see what it brings to the table and how it can completely transform the way of conducting business, more than what E-commerce was ever able to. These apps provide users with a composite view of the natural world by overlaying computer-generated graphics.

By leveraging the capabilities of mobile cameras and other sensors, AR apps offer endless possibilities for businesses to engage with their customers and showcase their products creatively. The primary advantage of AR apps for businesses is letting users experience and interact with their products or services before purchasing.

This immersive and interactive approach gives customers a virtual “look and feel” of the offerings, which can significantly influence their purchasing decisions. By enabling users to visualize products in real-life environments, businesses can showcase their features, functionality, and design more compellingly and tangibly.

Role of 3D in AR Applications

By the end of this section, you will comprehend that the entire work of an augmented reality app depends on 3D tools, models, and software to work.

To put it simply, the whole functioning of AR depends entirely on 3D.

1. 3D Creation Tools

You cannot make a 3D model using any available design software. There is specialized designing software that has tools to help artists and designers to create models efficiently. These assets are then imported into the AR app development pipeline for integration and deployment.

2. Realistic Object Placement

3D models allow developers to place virtual objects in the real world using AR accurately. 3D models are the most critical assets if you want to bring the thing in your imagination into real life. To make one, you should use computer-aided design (CAD) software, or thousands of 3D asset libraries can be used. By leveraging the spatial mapping capabilities of AR devices, developers can position 3D objects in the environment, ensuring they appear realistic and properly aligned.

3. Object Interaction

3D models enable interactive experiences in AR apps. Users can manipulate and interact with virtual objects overlaid on the real world. For example, in a furniture shopping AR app, users can place 3D furniture models in their living spaces, rotate them, and see how they fit. This interactivity enhances user engagement and provides a more immersive experience.

4. Environment Mapping

3D mapping of the natural environment is critical to AR app development. To do this, different companies use different methods, but by using depth-sensing cameras, LiDAR sensors, or computer vision techniques are the most popular way used by developers to create a 3D iteration of objects around them. Engineers and developers then analyze this data and use it to make a digital copy of the physical object and ensure that it blends seamlessly into the real world while using AR applications.

5. Everything from animation to visual effects 

Whenever you interact with a 3D object, its animation, shadows, and other visual effects are crucial in determining how you feel about them. Any object without these properties wouldn’t look natural at all and would fail in its goal of bringing physical objects in a digital format. 3D modeling tools and design applications help develop such properties using all the data gathered from the real world through photos or different mapping sensors.

Roadmap to Build a 3D Augmented Reality Application

Understanding how to build an efficient and popular AR app using 3D is not simple a business with no experience in the field. You have to work beyond the technology and understand what your customers require and then build an application that ticks all those boxes. 

1. Define Your AR App’s Purpose and Market Conception

To begin, thoroughly understand your target audience by creating customer personas. Then, write usability scenarios to outline how users will interact with your AR app. Identify the unique selling points (USPs) to differentiate your app from competitors and define the WOW-effect moments that captivate users.

2. Gather a Potent Team of AR Specialists

Assemble a skilled team of AR specialists, including project managers, software architects, UI and 3D designers, app testers, QA managers, and developers proficient in AR programming techniques. Consider different hiring options, such as traditional employment, contractors, or a dedicated custom development team.

3. Choose an AR Development Platform

Select your target devices like iOS or Android smartphones, web-based solutions, or specialized devices like HoloLens. Based on your choice, choose an appropriate AR software development kit (SDK) like ARKit, ARCore, or Vuforia, which aligns with your platform and app features.

4. Create 3D Models and AR App Assets

You can Develop high-quality 3D models and assets for your AR app. To do that, you can utilize graphic design software like Blender, Maya, or SketchUp. You can also use cloud-based augmented reality software; they provide you with all the necessary tools you can easily use and save; they are very beneficial for small businesses that do not have ample computational power to support creating 3D assets. 

You may need help from any Involve skilled 3D designers, or you can also consider digital illustration artists to design app assets. Once done with the support, Set up the AR scene, define anchor points, and create reference images to trigger AR experiences.

5. Integrate AR Features into the App

Integrate your 3D models and assets into the chosen AR development platform. Implement object recognition, image tracking, machine learning, and location-based AR features. Use compatible programming languages like Swift, Objective-C, React JavaScript, or C++ to build the app’s engine, UI interface, and application logic. 

6. Publish and Maintain the AR App

Configure and deploy the server component, publish your app in application directories, and comply with user privacy agreements. Continuously update the app to remain compatible with new devices and platforms, ensuring a high-quality AR experience. Then all that remains to do is see how the technology is changing. New tools are being unveiled, and adopt them before your competitors.

Upcoming 3D Tools will change AR

A lot has been happening in the world of 3D designing, and significant applications like Blender have been getting massive updates and tools that are posed to change AR forever. Not only will you not need professionals to design every model, but you will be able to design models on your own.

With the recent developments in 3D modeling technology, as evident by their usage in movies like Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse, the difference between the objects designed in 3D will be no less real than the physical objects. 

Some companies are also trying to find a way to make the texture of the 3D objects closer to the real things when looked upon. While these objectives are hard to attain, recent developments show that within a decade, all these possibilities won’t be a matter of imagination but reality.

Conclusion

The role of 3D in building an AR application is not just important, as without 3D, there is no AR application in the first place. Different services can help you achieve that goal. For large corporations with no resource foundations, any solution will concur. But, for a medium or small-scale enterprise. Cloud-based services provide the most efficient solution.

If we take different projections surrounding the AR market into account, the revenue generated by the AR business will surpass $130 billion by 2028, and there will be a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 40% for the entire AR-based market by 2030, exceeding $460 billion.

By developing your AR application project now, you can join this thriving industry and reap the benefits of being an early adopter. Sign up to a cutting-edge no-code augmented reality platform like PlugXR. Take advantage of the chance to leverage AR technology and unlock new possibilities for your business.

And if you want to incorporate augmented reality in any form, you are indirectly dealing with 3D, so keep that in mind while making further steps towards developing an augmented reality app and looking for appropriate resources to facilitate it.

Also read: What is the Difference Between 3D and HFR Formats?