Open Source Platform For AR and VR
Tags: ar, vr, opensource
Published: 2022-03-24 05:08:13

Aside from gaming, Augmented reality tools and reality tools are being employed in several domains and have various beneficial applications. In today’s article, we will list some of the useful open-source platforms for AR and VR that will help in implementing these technologies.

Without wasting any more time, let’s move ahead and learn in detail about AR and VR technologies and their open-source platform.

**What Is Augmented Reality?**
Almost every domain, from healthcare, education, entertainment, and technology, has encountered transformation because of Augmented Reality Tools.  And the demand for a quality AR experience on smartphones and other smart devices is consistently increasing. Now, it is very hard to find any person who hasn't heard about AR tools in the present digital world.

Brands are actively employing augmented reality tools in their business modules to offer the brand an advanced user experience. The augmented reality tools are generally employed by companies to generate product demos and collaborative advertising. The AR technology offers real-time information to its customers. 

To put it precisely, AR is the application that assists in creating computer-generated things to virtually provide a blended view to end-users. As I said, it has a wide application, from healthcare, aviation, and gaming.

Augmented reality technology mostly includes digital visuals or audio content in the customer's real-world environment.
**Crucial Features Of Augmented Reality Tools**
Some of the critical features of Augmented Reality Tools are as follows-

- **Drag-and-drop**: The end-user can choose a virtual object by controlling it and then dragging it to another location.
- **Editing**: One can edit the 3D model that has been uploaded on the platform. One can enter any additional details if required. One can also scale the images and adjust the colors.
- **Real-world backdrop**: The AR software can layer images, texts, and other 3D objects on a real-world background.
- **Hardware Integration**: The AR software should link with the devices for the smooth functioning of the software. It will help in offering a purposeful AR experience to the user. This includes glasses, androids, tablets, and smartphones.
- **Content Creation**: The augmented reality tools allow daily users to generate their AR content and experiences.
- **Upload Conten**t: One can upload 3D content for any work purpose by utilizing Augmented Reality Tools and products.
The programmers can generate their AR apps with the help of an SDK (Software development Kit) which ought to offer the necessary features.
**What Is Virtual Reality?**
Virtual reality is the new trend these days in the gaming industry, simulation, and education sectors. We can say that Virtual Reality Tools are computer-generated simulated worlds. It encourages 3D motion graphics that look realistic from the end-users perspective.

VR generally uses the HMD (Head-mounted display), it is a helmet-sized device that has compact display optics directly in front of both the optics. Virtual Reality technology is still in its initial developmental stage. In order to experience virtual reality, users must have to wear various Virtual Reality Tools or devices on hand.
**Crucial Features Of Virtual Reality Tools**
The Virtual Reality Tools or system must have the following key characteristics to make the overall VR experience more realistic. The greater these characteristics are, the end-user experience will become more realistic.

- **Realistic Virtual World**: The virtual world should be believable, it is the key characteristic of VR. The virtual world here is a computer-generated 3D virtual environment where actual world rules are applied.
- **Immersive**: Virtual Reality Tools need to interact with customers' senses to make sure that the customer believes that they are present physically in the real world even while being in the virtual world
- **Feedback**: Getting feedback is the key characteristic of virtual reality tools. It helps in making the overall virtual experience more realistic and interactive.
- **Interactive**: A virtual world should be very interactive and quick to make the Virtual Reality experience more and more logical.

**What The Stats Have To Say For AR and VR Platforms**
According to the latest [Statista](https://www.statista.com/statistics/591181/global-augmented-virtual-reality-market-size/) reports, the universal AR and VR markets are currently fulminating and it is estimated to reach a total of $72.8 billion by 2024. Seeing the rapid growth of the AR and VR industries, all the developers and non-developers are exploiting some of the most popular AR and VR platforms, tools, and SDKs to generate exciting AR and VR applications and user experiences.
Virtual and augmented reality accompany each other, as they improve people's perception of their surroundings by integrating technology that looks natural.

**Open Source Platform For AR and VR**

1. **ARToolKit+** 
[ARToolKit +](http://www.arreverie.com/artoolkit.html) is open-source and free software that helps solve the fundamental problems in AR and VR. It is a collection of Augmented reality tools that offers impressive results to the users. It is a free Augmented Reality tool that offers impressive results to users, and it is seen as a scalable AR and VR solution to solve real-world issues.

Some of its core functionalities are modular open source code, smart glasses, Android and iOS support, content creation, simulation, virtual reality integration, and much more.

2. **Holokit**
[Holokit](https://holokit.io/) is among the top open source augmented reality tools and virtual reality tools that use mobile devices. The tool incorporates a HeadKit cardboard headset and TrackKit software. Holokit gives access to the world of mixed reality by utilizing mixed reality apps and smartphones.

Some of the key functionalities of Holokit are- virtual reality integration, superimposed objects, real-world backdrop, content creation, 3D objects, merging the real and the virtual.

3. **BRIO**
If you want the best free AR and VR platform, then you should try [BRIO](https://experience.brioxr.com/), which is capable of inspiring consumers. This platform supports ray tracing. There are a bunch of materials and textures in the BRIO library, which the consumer can use for their models. Plus it is easy to share the BRIO screen online.

The key functionalities of the BRIO platforms are- a drag-and-drop interface, virtual reality integration, 3D objects, content creation, cross-device publishing, content library, real-world backdrop, superimposed objects, and simulation.

4. **Adobe Aero**
[Adobe Aero](https://www.adobe.com/products/aero.html) is also a free AR and VR tool that lets you view, build, and share captivating and interactive AR experiences. The consumer does not need complex coding and can smoothly blur the lines between the physical and digital worlds. The software provides appealing AR experiences faster.

The key functionalities of Adobe Aero for AR and VR are- content creation, content library, simulation, drag-and-drop, add interactive features, cross-device publishing, and virtual reality integration.

5. **Vuforia Engine**
The Vuforia engine is another free AR and VR open source platform that can be used by companies of all sizes, it is seen as the top free AR and VR open source platform that can generate better outcomes. Among all the top platforms, the Vuforia Engine supports AR gadgets to reach among the vast mass.

Talking about the key features of the  [Vuforia Engine](https://www.ptc.com/en/products/vuforia/vuforia-engine) are- unparalleled accuracy, simulation, Virtual reality integration, 3D objects, content creation, content library, real-world backdrop, creative empowerment, superimposed objects, advanced vision, tracking and analytics, and much more.

6. **A-Frame**
[A-Frame](https://aframe.io/) is an open source AR and VR platform with a WebGL framework for creating a lavish VR and AR experience. A-Frame is recognized as a top WebGL framework, and it is also the endorsed library in Mozilla Mixed Reality Project.

A-Frame is a good virtual reality tool, and it works smoothly on some mixed reality gear like the  Vive, Rift, Daydream, and GearVR, plus it performs smoothly on desktop.
Some of the key functionalities of A-Frame are- performs well for VR and AR, works on mobile, and operates on many VR platforms.
 
7. **ApertusVR**
[ApertusVR](http://apertusvr.org/) is an open-source, modular, distributed AR and VR library. It is written in C++ language that offers good performance on normal or advanced hardware specifications. It is platform-independent, easy to use, and easy to configure.

ApertusVR has plugins for many virtual reality devices like HTC Vive, Oculus DK2, and CAVE systems. The key highlights of ApertusVR are- it supports AR and VR modules, supports many VR  fringe and control devices.

**Core Application Sectors in AR and VR**
AR and VR have a broad scope in education, e-governance, the corporate sector, and several other domains. Some of the popular domains are as follows-

- Architecture
- Qualitative analysis
- Assembly/disassembly of engines
- Replica of blood circulation in the heart
- Virtual classroom for education
- Replica of space stations.

**Myths Related To AR and VR**
AR and VR can be administered using minimum resources also in the limited infrastructure and hardware.
However, there are still lots of myths linked to AR and VR, some quite famous among them are-

- Requirement of huge resources and expensive hardware
- Need of specialized processors
- Need of specialized graphic cards
- Integration of GPU/TPU
- Requirement for high-performance framework.

But, none of the above points are true.

**Final Thoughts**
AR and VR are offering a multisensory experience and thus real-world objects are improving with computer-generated information such as visual, heptic, somatosensory, and olfactory information.

Researchers and developers can use open source platforms for AR and VR to give an interface between real-time experience and remote infrastructure.
We have tried to mention above some high-level free and open source AR and VR platforms.

You can also explore Extern Labs platform to know more about [augmented reality tools](https://externlabs.com/blogs/top-augmented-reality-framework/) and virtual reality tools. 

If you want to reach out to [AR and VR developers](https://externlabs.com/hire-ar&vr-developer.php), feel free to contact us.