Zapworks
Zapworks is an Augmented Reality (AR) tool that enables you to create experiences that can be published to mobile devices such as your phone. It allows for support of 3D models, animations and even allows for image and object tracking. To get an introduction to how Zapworks is used, I followed a tutorial to get some image tracking and 3D models working so I can experience it myself.
In my first try at doing this, I must have done something wrong, such as setting the rotation of the 3D model incorrectly. This is because when I loaded it up on my phone, the model was flat on the image and not stood up as it should have been. I ended up going back and went through the steps again, and it was working correctly the second time.
AR can be used in a variety of different ways, the most popular and widespread example is Pokémon Go, which released in 2016 and took the world by storm. The whole idea behind the game was to bring Pokémon into the real world, with users walking around in the real world to catch Pokémon. When catching these Pokémon, it would use the camera on the back of your phone to put a 3D model of the Pokémon in front of you, which is when the AR aspect is shown off. However, as time went on, many players have opted to turn this feature off as it causes a few issues gameplay-wise that decreases the user’s experience (UX). One main reason is that the game promotes walking while playing the game, and if you have to keep stopping to catch the Pokémon with the AR feature, it can get quite annoying very quickly. The AR feature also makes it inconsistent to throw Pokéballs at your target because instead of being a set distance away from you, it can vary. Many players dislike this and prefer the muscle memory they can build up from turning AR off.
Adobe Aero is another big AR platform which can be used to place 3D models and animations in the real world. There are many applications that come to mind that may benefit from this technology. The first thing I thought of is as a way of telling people about exhibits in museums. For example, using this technology, you could showcase a recreation of a dinosaur walking around in front of you, which would be able to give you information on the history behind it. This would also encourage younger children to get more interested and engaged with it too.
Another application I thought of was in the advertising space, where virtual space could be used to show off different products in a unique and interesting way not possible in reality. For example, there could be a model of a product animated in a way where it would burst out the side of a building or out of the floor in front of you. This in turn would create a very memorable impression of that product.