Introduction to Augmented Reality and ARCore

Introduction to Augmented Reality and ARCore

Instructor: Google AR & VR

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Tools you'll learn

Unity Engine

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Assessments

8 assignments

Taught in English

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There are 4 modules in this course

This class will teach you the fundamentals of augmented reality (AR), and how to build an AR experience using ARCore. Through the four week course, you'll learn:

- How to identify different types of AR experiences - Tools and platforms used in the AR landscape - What makes AR feel "real" - Popular use cases for AR - How to create an AR use flow - How AR experiences work - Tools like Google Poly and Unity to build AR experiences - Next steps to start building an AR experience using ARCore and other tools This course will break down complex AR concepts to make them easy to understand, while also sharing expert tips and knowledge from Daydream's ARCore team. The course is great for beginners who are just getting started with AR or ARCore.

In this module, you'll be introduced to the basics of augmented reality and some surrounding context-- how and why it was developed, and how it compares to and differs from its technological cousin, virtual reality. You will also learn more about the current industry landscape, the hardware needed to view AR content, and how people are using AR today.

What's included

11 videos2 readings2 assignments1 discussion prompt

11 videosTotal 11 minutes

Introduction1 minute
The history of augmented reality2 minutes
AR today: smartphone vs. standalone1 minute
Google AR1 minute
AR for shopping and retail1 minute
AR for business1 minute
AR for social media1 minute
AR for gaming1 minute
AR for education1 minute
AR for healthcare1 minute
AR for nonprofits1 minute

2 readingsTotal 40 minutes

The similarities and differences between AR and VR20 minutes
Learning checkpoint - the basics of augmented reality20 minutes

2 assignmentsTotal 45 minutes

Module 1 final assessment25 minutes
Module 1 practice quiz20 minutes

1 discussion promptTotal 20 minutes

Looking to the future of augmented reality20 minutes

In this module we’ll dive into the hardware components inside mobile devices that power augmented reality, and you'll discover ways in which AR assets can feel real and keep users immersed. You'll learn about ARCore features that help make a digital object behave as though it exists in a real world space, as well as a few constraints facing AR today.

What's included

18 videos5 readings2 assignments1 discussion prompt

18 videosTotal 20 minutes

Placing and positioning assets1 minute
Scale and the size of assets1 minute
Occlusion1 minute
Lighting for increased realism1 minute
Solid augmented assets0 minutes
Context awareness1 minute
Tracking in AR1 minute
Outside-in tracking1 minute
Inside-out tracking1 minute
Motion tracking2 minutes
Environmental understanding: feature points and plane-finding1 minute
Light estimation1 minute
Anchors1 minute
Interface issues and lack of UI metaphors2 minutes
AR’s technical constraints: size, power, heat2 minutes
The 3D barrier1 minute
Computer vision limitations1 minute
Constraints of occlusion and shading1 minute

5 readingsTotal 95 minutes

The hardware that makes mobile AR work25 minutes
Learning checkpoint - AR functionality20 minutes
Learning checkpoint - inside-out vs. outside-in tracking15 minutes
Learning checkpoint - fundamentals of ARCore20 minutes
Learning checkpoint - constraints with current AR15 minutes

2 assignmentsTotal 40 minutes

Module 2 final assessment25 minutes
Module 2 practice quiz15 minutes

1 discussion promptTotal 20 minutes

Understanding AR essentials20 minutes

In this section you’ll dive into a few specific examples of how AR applications are being used in the real world. You’ll learn about the strengths and current constraints of the ARCore platform, user considerations, and basic AR interaction options. You’ll also gain more knowledge about the tools and team you’ll need to build an AR app.

What's included

9 videos6 readings2 assignments1 discussion prompt

9 videosTotal 10 minutes

The Android OS is everywhere1 minute
How low-light conditions limit AR on mobile1 minute
How simple surfaces challenge AR1 minute
User flow1 minute
Working with technical limitations1 minute
If you build it, they might try to break it1 minute
Preparing your tools1 minute
Outlining: drafting your design1 minute
Building the team to execute your vision1 minute

6 readingsTotal 100 minutes

Cloud Anchors for shared AR25 minutes
Learning checkpoint - use cases and current powers/limitations of AR15 minutes
User experience (UX) and user interface (UI) to consider15 minutes
Basic AR interaction options20 minutes
Learning checkpoint - think like a user15 minutes
Learning checkpoint - next steps on the AR journey10 minutes

2 assignmentsTotal 40 minutes

Module 3 final assessment25 minutes
Module 3 practice quiz15 minutes

1 discussion promptTotal 20 minutes

Thinking about your users20 minutes

In this last module we’ll dive deeper into some important elements of augmented reality and bring them to life with existing ARCore apps. You’ll also learn more about how to create 3D assets for AR with tools like Google Poly and Unity, as well as discover further resources to continue your augmented reality learning journey.

What's included

11 videos6 readings2 assignments1 discussion prompt

11 videosTotal 9 minutes

Surface detection and creating planes1 minute
User interaction: hit-testing and pose1 minute
Placing with anchor points1 minute
Occlusion between virtual assets1 minute
Light estimation: matching virtual light to real light1 minute
Multi-plane detection and spatial mapping1 minute
Processing needs in mobile AR1 minute
Breaking immersion1 minute
Framing as a creative device1 minute
What is Poly?1 minute
What is Unity?1 minute

6 readingsTotal 120 minutes

Learning checkpoint - a closer look at mechanics of ARCore20 minutes
Poly, a library of 3D assets for your AR app20 minutes
Sceneform for easier AR content creation30 minutes
Learning checkpoint - using Poly and Unity to create ARCore assets10 minutes
Glossary of AR20 minutes
Resources20 minutes

2 assignmentsTotal 40 minutes

Module 4 final assessment25 minutes
Module 4 practice quiz15 minutes

1 discussion promptTotal 10 minutes

Your own AR journey10 minutes

Instructor

Instructor ratings

(1,004 ratings)

Google AR & VR

2 Courses130,219 learners

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Google AR & VR

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Reviewed on Nov 27, 2020

This is a great course especially for a newbie to know the overview of AR and ARCore. This also can help expand the knowledge on how to use AR in better ways which are not solely for entertainment.

Reviewed on Dec 13, 2018

Thanks to this course I learnt most of the basic elements of AR and of course about it's development curve. I would recommend everyone, who is interested in AR, but doesn't know where to start.

Reviewed on Jun 22, 2019

I learned some things about AR that I didn't know, and most importantly, I got a really good idea of what it takes to make an AR app, and what programs I will need to accomplish this.

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