Table of contents
1.
Introduction
2.
Features of Vuforia SDK
3.
Features of Vuforia
4.
Advantages 
5.
Drawbacks
6.
Frequently asked questions
6.1.
What is the Vuforia engine?
6.2.
What algorithm does Vuforia use?
6.3.
Is Vuforia compatible with Unity?
6.4.
Which language is used in Vuforia?
6.5.
Is Vuforia SDK free?
7.
Conclusion
Last Updated: Mar 27, 2024
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Introduction to Vuforia SDK

Author SAURABH ANAND
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Introduction

Vuforia is a cross-platform Mixed Reality (MR) application development outlet and Augmented Reality (AR), with full tracking and implementation on a mixture of hardware (including mobile devices and mixed reality Head-Mounted Displays (HMD) such as the Microsoft HoloLens). Unity’s integration of Vuforia permits us to construct vision apps and games for Android and iOS utilising a drag-and-drop authoring workflow.

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Features of Vuforia SDK

Let's look at some of the features of Vuforia SDK

  • Android, iOS, UWP, and Unity Editor are all supported by Vuforia. Another good alternative for AR app developers is PTC's AR development toolkit, which allows them to monitor specified photos, models, objects, or 3D scans.
     
  • Vuforia works on iOS and Android, even older iPhone models that don't support ARKit. When the hardware it's running on supports it, Vuforia uses ARKit or ARCore; otherwise, it uses its platform.
     
  • Vuforia's core capabilities for AR development are object and image tracking. The Vuforia platform allows developers to upload models, pictures, object scans, and other support target types for detection. Thus, it will enable them to upload object detection from specified targets for recognition.
     
  • This tool aids in the identification of various item categories such as boxes, cylinders, and planes. It also recognizes text and the environment. VuMark, a hybrid of a photo and a QR code, is another helpful feature provided by Vuforia. Vuforia Object Scanner allows developers to scan and build object targets.

Features of Vuforia

Some additional features make Vuforia unique from other AR platforms. Some of them are mentioned below.

  • Model Targets
    Model Targets use digital 3D models to recognize items based on their form. We may install AR content on various objects from numerous angles on a wide range of products such as industrial equipment, cars, and toys.
     
  • Image Targets
    Image targets are the simplest way to add augmented reality material to flat items like magazine pages, trade cards, and images.
     
  • Multi Targets
    Multi targets are used for objects with several sides and flat surfaces or include multiple pictures. Multi targets include product packaging, posters, and murals.
     
  • Cylinder Targets
    We may use cylinder targets to place AR information on cylindrical and conical objects. Cylinder targets are ideal for soda cans, bottles, and tubes with printed graphics.
     
  • Object Targets
    Scanning an item produces object targets. They're an excellent choice for toys and other goods with a consistent form and rich surface detailing.
     
  • VuMarks
    We may use VuMarks to identify and add content to a group of objects. They're an excellent method to supplement product lines, inventories, and machines with information and content.

Advantages 

Let’s see some advantages of Vuforia SDK.

  • Device Compatible : Apart from the fact that Vuforia AR SDK enables the development of interesting AR-VR apps, it is also OS-compatible. That is, they are not confined to iOS devices but also include Android and PC programs.
     
  • 3D Imagining: Another advantage is the ability to superimpose 3D prints and actual items. This boosts the user's involvement with the outside world, boosting their experience.

Drawbacks

Although Vuforia contains so many good features, it has some drawbacks too. Some of them are mentioned below.

  • Connecting it to native modules is difficult. However, the recent library releases have made it much more manageable.
     
  • The code is lengthy and inconvenient. For example, the Vuforia API reference is written in C++ and wrapped in Objective-C for iOS. If you're using Swift to create your app, you'll need to create a bridge between Swift and Objective-C. It's not practical.
     
  • To track the marker, you'll need to develop at least two classes and 800 lines of code.
     
  • Because only OpenGL is utilized for native development, it will be difficult for beginners to render a model on a marker.

 

Since you get some idea of the Vuforia SDK, you can check this for practical experience in augmented reality. We will complete the article now with faqs.

Frequently asked questions

What is the Vuforia engine?

It is a software development kit (SDK) for making Augmented Reality apps. Developers can readily add advanced computer vision functionality to any application, permitting it to recognize images and objects and connect with spaces in the real world.

What algorithm does Vuforia use?

Vuforia uses an edge-detection technique. Suppose there are more vertices or lines in the high-contrast image than it's a high-rated image for Vuforia. So, we can express that their algorithm is relatively analogous to SIFT.

Is Vuforia compatible with Unity?

Yes, apps can be created with Unity, Android Studio, Xcode, and Visual Studio.

Which language is used in Vuforia?

Vuforia delivers Application Programming Interfaces (API) in C++, Java, Objective-C++, etc. NET languages via an extension to the Unity game engine.

Is Vuforia SDK free?

Yes, it is free to produce and publicize apps that use the Vuforia Engine with a BASIC plan. Regardless, If you want to publish an app with Model Targets and Area Targets, you will require a PREMIUM plan.

Conclusion

In this article, we have extensively discussed the concept of  Vuforia SDK. We started with the introduction of Vuforia SDK, features of Vuforia SDK, and finally concluded with advantages and disadvantages of Vuforia SDK.

After reading about the Vuforia SDK, are you not feeling excited to read/explore more articles on the topic of AR/VR? Don't worry; Coding Ninjas has you covered. To learn, see AR/VR In MilitaryIntroduction to Vuforia SDK, and Passion for AR & VR leads to Snake Snack Game.

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