This post shows how to create .armedia models that can be distributed and displayed with the iOS ARmedia Player by using a simple QR code.
Step 1. Choose the URL for the .armedia file to be created.
Since our main goal is to generate a QR code which embeds the direct link to the .armedia file, you need to choose the URL that you want to embed. If you have a personal website, then this step is straightforward: all you need to do is to choose the URL.
On a general note, every URL is fine, just make sure that it does not get changed when you will upload your file.
It is important that you make sure that the URL points exactly to your .armedia file. In other words, it must have the following format: “http://<website URL>/<filename>.armedia” otherwise, it won’t be recognized by iOS Player.
Step 2. Create the QR code.
Use one of the many free services to create QR codes like the following:
http://goqr.me
enter the URL chosen at step 1 and generate the QR code image. Save it to your PC. We will need this in the following steps.
Step 3. Create a QR code-like marker.
This step is not mandatory.
If you want to use the QR code you just created as a marker, then you need to create a custom marker.
Using a image processing software,
- open the template image marker which comes with ARPlugin
- paste the QR code image in the template and create the source marker image.
Start the AR-media Marker Generator and create the custom marker as usual.
See the Users guide to learn how to create custom markers.
Step 4. Create the model.
Now, it’s time to create the .armedia file.
So, start ARPlugin and load your scene.
Select the marker you want to use from the library (if you created the QR-code marker, use this one) and configure it as usual.
Check the “View/Export for iOS” option and start the export process
Fill in the necessary information and save the .armedia file on your PC.
Of course, you can also choose to geo-locate the model.
It is important that you make sure that the .armedia file you created has the same name as the one you chose in step 1 for the URL.
Step 5. Publish the model and the QR code.
Upload the file to the selected URL. Make sure that the final location of the file matches the URL you select at step 1.
If not, then modify the URL to match it. Publish the QR code anywhere and in any way you want. You can either put it on a web page, print it and distribute it to your clients, send the image as an e-mail attachment, put an ad on a magazine…
Step 6. Display the model.
In the iOS device, start the Player
Click on the “QR-code” icon and point the camera at the QR code.
- iOS Player – Scanning a QR code
When it will be recognized, you will be asked to download the model.
After the download, refresh the library and you will see the newly added model.
Starting the AR visualization, point the iOS device to a marker or in the selected location and the model will appear as usual.
For example, point your iOS device at the following QR code:
- Example QR code
This makes the story. To follow this tutorial you need:
1) Professional version of ARPlugin for 3ds Max, SketchUp, Maya, Cinema 4D, Vectorworks (v 2.2.5)
2) latest version of iOS Player available from the App store
This post is also available in: Italian
