A Beginner's Guide to Augmented Reality with Unity

Learn to Create Mobile AR Applications with Wikitude, Integrating ARKit & ARCore for iOS and Android.

4.95 (1374 reviews)

Udemy

platform

English

language

Mobile Apps

What you will learn

Integrate and program with an external SDK in Unity.

Create augmented reality applications that run on a mobile device.

Build simple, interactive mobile applications with augmented reality functions.

Why take this course?

Want to learn how to meld the real with the virtual? Want to create engaging applications with direct links between the physical world and computerised information, 3D models and animations? Want to learn how to use image pattern recognition to use digital camera feeds to control and orientate the virtual world? Then this course on augmented reality is for you.

Augmented Reality is one of the hottest topics in computer science and now with the availability of high-powered mobile devices with their top quality cameras, the technology is literally in the palm of your hand. Add the ease of use of the Unity Game Engine and Wikitude AR SDK, making such applications for yourself is a snap. All students enrolled in this course are entitled to a free Wikitude student license.

In this course, Penny introduces augmented reality techniques using her internationally acclaimed holistic teaching style and expertise from over 25 years of teaching, research and work in games and computer graphics. Through-out the course you will follow along with hands-on workshops designed to teach you the fundamental techniques used for designing and developing augmented reality mobile applications.

From examining its earliest origins to understanding the mash-up of computerised environments with the real world, we will be creating numerous applications for iOS, Android, Mac and PC from simple games to location detection.

Learn how to program and work with:

iOS
Android
Wikitude SDK
2D Image Recognition and Tracking
3D Object Recognition and Tracking
Shadows, Lights and Occlusion Shaders for AR
Mobile GPS & Compass functions
Physics in AR
Simultaneous Localisation and Mapping (SLAM)

Contents and Overview

The course begins with a quick five minute workshop that will have you up and running with your first AR application visible in the Unity Editor. It then introduces the nuances of working and pushing apps to both iOS and Android apps, so you can create AR experiences for your own mobile device.

Following this, 2D and 3D marker recognition and tracking are examined and both types of markers created to provide the beginnings of numerous AR projects (including singing beer coasters, drivable cars, pet dinosaurs, a children's spelling game and a tabletop tower defence game).

A section explaining the GPS and Compass functionalities is then included, to provide assistance in developing augmented content that can be activated and manipulated according to physical geographical locations, as well as the direction the mobile device is facing.

The course concludes with even more projects that this time implement the functionality of SLAM, the very technology underpinning the interface of Pokemon Go.

What students are saying about Penny's courses:

Penny is an excellent instructor and she does a great job of breaking down complex concepts into smaller, easy-to-understand topics.
Penny's teaching style is exceptionally well-motivated and illustrated.
This course is awesome. The lecturer explains everything you need to know and encourages you to experiment and challenge yourself.

Screenshots

A Beginner's Guide to Augmented Reality with Unity - Screenshot_01

A Beginner's Guide to Augmented Reality with Unity - Screenshot_02

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A Beginner's Guide to Augmented Reality with Unity - Screenshot_04

Our review

--- **Overview and Rating** The **Global course rating** for this AR with Wikitude course is an impressive **4.95 out of 5**, based on all recent reviews. The consensus among learners is that this course is essential for learning AR with Wikitude, rich in examples, and challenges students to create AR experiences in Unity. --- **Pros** - **Comprehensive Content**: The course content is considered rich with examples, providing a solid foundation for understanding AR development with Wikitude. (Multiple reviews) - **Practical Application**: It encourages learners to apply what they've learned by creating AR experiences, making the learning process practical and hands-on. (Multiple reviews) - **Inspirational and Accessible**: The course inspires learners who previously thought they wouldn't be interested in complex AR applications, to consider developing their own AR projects. (Reviewer's personal experience) - **High Quality Instruction**: Penny is praised for her excellent teaching abilities, making complex information easy to understand. (Several reviews) - **Real-world Applications**: The course covers a wide range of applications, from training and industry to maintenance, suggesting its relevance across various sectors. (Reviewer's suggestion) - **Clear Explanations**: Penny is commended for her clear explanations, making her one of the best Unity educators according to some learners. (Multiple reviews) - **Community Recommendation**: The course is recommended to any Unity developer looking to explore AR with Wikitude, despite some limitations. (Reviewer's recommendation) --- **Cons** - **Software Focus**: A notable concern is that the course focuses heavily on the Wikitude tool, which is nearing its End of Life (EOL) as announced for September 2024. This raises questions about the longevity and future applicability of the skills learned. (Reviewer's personal experience) - **Pricing Concerns**: The licensing cost for Wikitude is mentioned as expensive, which could be a barrier for some learners who wish to apply their knowledge in real-world scenarios. (Reviewer's concern) - **Technological Updates**: Some learners have experienced bugs with Wikitude that are not present in other AR packages like AR Foundation or Vuforia, indicating a need for updates to reflect the latest tracking technology. (Course recommendation) - **Obsolete Examples**: With the introduction of Unity 2021 and newer technologies, some examples provided in the course might become obsolete. (Reviewer's suggestion) - **Limited Scope**: The course is criticized for its narrow focus on Wikitude, with learners suggesting the addition of bonus sections that explore other AR packages to provide a more comprehensive understanding of AR development options. (Course recommendation and reviewer's suggestion) --- **Additional Feedback** - **Potential for Continued Learning**: Despite some concerns about the focus on Wikitude, many learners are optimistic about the course's content and the potential for continued learning with Penny as an instructor. (Several reviews) - **Language Considerations**: Penny is noted to be an excellent teacher in English, but it's mentioned that her teaching might be even better if she offered courses in other languages. (Reviewer's suggestion) - **Practicality and Realism**: The course is appreciated for its long-paced approach, which allows learners to understand AR fundamentals through multiple projects. However, some learners have had issues with the markerless tracking section, which did not yield satisfactory results compared to current technology standards. (Course review) --- **Final Thoughts** This AR with Wikitude course is highly recommended for Unity developers looking to explore AR development. While it has some limitations regarding its focus on Wikitage and potential obsolescence due to the tool's EOL, the course's strengths in instruction quality and practical application outweigh these drawbacks. Learners are encouraged to stay updated with the latest AR technologies and consider the long-term viability of the tools they choose to invest their time in mastering.

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Enrollment distribution

A Beginner's Guide to Augmented Reality with Unity - Distribution chart