The Augmented Reality (AR) is an interactive experience matching with reality where the objects are advanced & developed by computer graphics with a perceptual knowledge through multiple sensory modalities such as audio, visual, haptic, sensory nervous system & olfaction which means AR can be implemented to all the senses i.e. hearing, touch, smell &, etc. Augmented Reality is one that alters the users’ unending approach to a real-world environment. As AR is similar to mixed reality & computer-mediated reality it is also used in making interactive 3D Animations. Augmented Reality unifies virtual objects in a real-time environment. The integration of Augmented Reality and 3D Animation technologies have now become a trend in producing interactive reality, engaging dimensionality & impressive product prototype. Augmented Reality is the cheaper & simpler creation as compared to Virtual Reality objects in a real environment which is hidden from the users’ view. AR technology has a wider scope & impact on its application in various media streams in the market.
Augmented Reality (AR) enhances the quality of expression and brings a strong base to the communication industry in connecting a chord with people. Augmented Reality (AR) animation can be that graphics, still images, videos, or 3D models expressed in a unique style of design to viewers with various kinds of motion effects such as rotate, fade in, fade out, bounce, altering the scale, or opacity, etc. In this, the user has to select the asset and animate it accordingly then press to play preview in action.
Creating an Augmented Reality 3D Animation in AR creator tool has to undergo certain process step by step as follows:
- Uploading Assets: Through the ‘Upload’ button you can select the file of your choice & click ‘Open’ or you can select multiple assets at a time that your files will appear in the Assets panel.
- Aligning Assets: You can adjust the asset on the scale of X & Y axes also the Z-axis denotes the 3D space of the object on different points.
- Adding Animation to Assets: Adding animation to the figure or model from the ‘Motion Effects’ tab is a crucial stage. Effects such as fade-in, fade-out, etc. give motion impressions to the 3D object. To do this is just to select the asset & drag & drop the required motion effect on the animation timeline to animate the model.
- Using the Animation Timeline: The length of motion effect to the 3D Animation model can be set to a specific time frame on a timeline so, to run the animation in the right order & finally click ‘Play’ to preview the animation.
- Repeating the procedure for every 3D object until you obtain the right finishing animation experience for the asset(s).
Experience of adding Augmented Reality to 3D Animation requires no coding or any app set up. It provides you the access to real-time data tracking insights. With the help of digital & artistic content such as 3D animation models & or 3D videos, any 3D artist can perform virtual art shows & exhibitions with zero cost in which Augmented Reality (AR) sets him one of the best user-friendly platforms that make the process easier with the flare of cutting-edge animation & creativity.
The 3D Animation for the real objects in Augmented Reality Applications can be explained further with the following techniques:
- Photogrammetry: It is the process used to generate a high-density mesh object comprising a series of photos of the same object. The mesh outlines the objects’ shape, the texture images are created to define the object color, finally, deciding the interaction of light with the object making it effectively rough or smooth, etc. Photogrammetry captures the final 3D data yet there is minor movement in the object without spoiling the 3D printed figure.
- 3D Scanning: The 3D Scanning is high in-accuracy to a texture set & non-optimized model resulting in a bigger file size that requires more man-hours to make it ready to use. The use of 3D Scanning will lead to overall increased cost as it is expensive. 3D scanning provides a higher resolution than the photogrammetry process.
- 3D Modeling Software: An artist can create the 3D animation model from the scratch with optimized & accurate density with the help of an effective tool called ‘Maya’. Later texture painting can be made by Mudbox or Substance painter. 3D modeling can be executed with the following procedure:
- Measurements & reference photo images– Photos from varied perspectives i.e. front, back, left, right, top & bottom can create an accurate 3D animation model with the use of a long focal length lens while those with a short focal length are not suitable for AR 3D modeling.
- Importing photo images–Further, the photo image is imported into a tool such as Maya for accuracy, the 3D model shall be proportionate to the real-world products through AR app with definite measurement of length, height & width of the object element.
- Post measurement process– the scene file is set to obtain the 3D shapes of the cube, cylinder, or sphere. Next, details are added to get the exact product imprint with lower mesh complexity to load data quicker. With the completion of modeling, high-density mesh file and low-density mesh file are exported that is crucial as the game engines render on low density & not on high-density real-time models.
- Texture painting of Objects: The files are then exported to Substance painter to add textures. With Substance Painter, 3D painting software adds varied texture effects such as scratches, rust, etc. 3600degree photos can be helpful to match the model with real environmental lighting.
- Creating the Models intended for AR: The exported 3D animation model should be in the correct format to match your 3D engine. Thus, for the original appearance of the object addition of texture for the shadow of the object is necessary to be created underneath the products’ mesh.
Therefore, creating 3D Animation art in AR is a manual time-consuming practice that can be solved through objective reviews and discussions through quality control and idea generation process to hear the useful alternative solution & advice from the creative group experts.