We are proud to announce that the new version of our creative Augmented Reality tool has been launched. With this tool, artists can easily build their own mobile AR experiences. Some examples of these applications were previously shared in this newsletter as part of the live shows of Vincent Höfte, Smitty and Ineffekt.
To refresh your memory: Augmented Reality (AR) is a technology that adds digital elements to the real world, often via devices such as smartphones or AR glasses. This allows users to interact with virtual objects and experience information integrated into their immediate environment.
AR has proven its value as an immersive application. For example, the Gorillaz presented their new single in AR at Times Square, and Coachella collaborated with Snapchat to present an AR experience that included art and wayfinding. For many artists, AR can enhance live shows and add props without the need for extensive physical setups.
Despite the fact that there are several AR tools on the market, we have chosen to build our own tool – specifically for the context of live shows for emerging musicians. We chose this approach because most existing tools are overly complicated, time-consuming, and insufficiently protect the user's intellectual property. Our tool simplifies the creative process with a user-friendly interface designed for artists without prior design experience. Additionally, it only stores necessary data and is not reused for commercial purposes.
What's new
Our new OCT AR tool is inspired by the concept of a synthesizer. It allows you to create and arrange scenes in 3D space, where you can place and publish images. Similar to a real synthesizer, it features various oscillators (or parameters) that you can adjust to add effects and movement to the elements within your scenes.
Check it out yourself:
Please note that you will need to create the content for the AR application yourself. In the near future, you will also be able to integrate 3D content from existing online libraries, but this feature is not available yet.
To explain all the functionalities, we have made a short instructional video:
Current features:
Create an AR project (scene) that can be viewed with one tap on iOS and Android devices after scanning a QR code; no app download required.
Create multiple scenes per project/QR code and switch between scenes during your live show.
Place 2-dimensional objects (planes) in a 3D workspace.
Add transformations (move, rotate, scale) to an object.
Add an image texture to an object; supports JPEGs and (transparent) PNGs.
Add a transparency mask to an object (make objects more or less transparent with a colored background).
Add animations to an object.
Stack transformations and animations to create more complex movement.
Planned features:
Reorder transformations.
Group objects.
Support for video/animated GIF texture.
Import 3D objects.