The latest version of the developer platform Wikitude AR is available since July 2018. Equipped with the widest range of Augmented Reality (AR) features on the market, Wikitude SDK 8.0 is the entry-level tool for developers and enterprises who want to benefit from endless AR capabilities and solutions. Wikitude AR plays often more a important role in 3D configurator project.
Wikitude SDK 8.0 offers Scene Recognition, Instant Targets, Unity Live Preview, Windows support, enhanced object tracking and even more improvements in stability and performance.
The final version of SDK 8.0 is now available for developers on the download page. In the following, we’ll take a closer look at the new features and improvements in version 8.0.
Scene Recognition.
SDK 8 extends the detection and tracking spectrum of SLAM-based AR experiences by introducing Scene Recognition, a feature long awaited by the AR market.
Scene Recognition and Tracking allows developers to recognize and enhance entire real-world scenarios, rooms and larger objects with 3D content. Think of outdoor gaming, digital additions to historical monuments, industrial maintenance, building identification or basically anything that requires broader recognition.
This SLAM advance also adds a new and improved process of map input of objects that use images instead of videos, as described below.
New object recording process.
The updated Wikitude engine introduces a revised and simplified method for creating map inputs. When mapping an object or scene, developers work with high-resolution photos instead of systematic videos. This means that the mapping input can now carry different versions of an object or scene, registered by different positions and lighting, for example.
This modification brings great improvements in map accuracy, resulting in better recognition rates, more stable tracking, and shorter development time.
Detailed information on the new mapping process itself can be found in the respective SDK documentation under “Target Management”.
Extended tracking for objects.
SDK 8 has also updated Wikitude’s Computer Vision Engine to support extended tracking mode for objects. This means that a user can still see magnifications in the environment during an AR experience and after scanning the object target, even if the first marker is outside the camera.
The use cases that arise are many and varied. Scan a water hydrant to visualize the connected underground pipelines before digging through the earth. Scan an electrical outlet to see the electrical installation hidden behind a wall. Scan a work of art and continue to see more in digitally enhanced exhibitions.
Instant Targets.
Instant Targets allows users to add extensions to physical surfaces, store the AR experience, and share it with others for charging and viewing in the future. In addition, the stored Instant Targets map can be edited spontaneously when loading.
This functionality of storing and loading content creates a whole new set of AR application cases. With instant targeting, on-site employees can leave important messages directly to the engine itself so that the next shift can perceive them. An interior architect can store various furniture superstructures to load and show to customers later. For retailers, buyers will be able to pre-screen special offers and dynamically interact with stores and other customers. The possibilities are endless.
The ability to save and load maps is the next step for easy collaboration and exchange of AR experiences between different users, devices and operating systems.
Unity Live Preview.
Unity developers will be pleased to know that SDK 8 has added AR View functionality to the Unity Editor. The ability to easily test and optimize their AR project during app creation significantly reduces development and prototyping time.
In addition, developers can use the Unity Remote feature to test instant tracking with a remote camera (such as a smartphone or tablet).
Native APIs for Windows.
Finally, the Wikitude SDK also runs on Windows 10 UWP computers. Starting with Unity, the Wikitude SDK now includes Windows support. The native API options, based on the new internal SDK architecture, support Universal Windows platforms (Windows 10) devices.
Additional features and improvements.
- New Internal SDK Architecture
- Instant Tracking: Improved Stability and Performance
- Object tracking: Improved stability and performance
- Support for Android Studio 3.x and Gradle 3
- Update for ARCore 1:1
Camera manipulation APIs: Tap the focus button to adjust the exposure area. With support for iOS, Android, and Windows, developers can create AR applications using a cross-platform JavaScript API or the native API to handle each operating system separately. Unity, PhoneGap, Titanium and Xamarin frameworks as well as various plug-ins are also available to Wikitude developers. Choose your development platform and try all the features of our award-winning AR SDK.
Start working with SDK 8.
Getting started with SDK 8 has never been easier. Do the following:
- Download SDK 8 and sample app
- Check out the technical blog post for more details.
- Choose your license plan or apply for a free start license.
We hope we were able to give you a good overview of Wikitude SDK 8.0.
Thank you very much for your visit.
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