Apple Augmented Reality by Tutorials: Complete Book Now Available!
Start building next-generation AR apps today using RealityKit, Reality Composer, ARKit and more with our latest book, Apple Augmented Reality by Tutorials — available today! By Chris Belanger.
We’re excited to announce that Apple Augmented Reality by Tutorials, First Edition, is 100% complete – and available today!
This book is the easiest and fastest way to get hands-on experience using Apple frameworks and technologies like Reality Composer, RealityKit, and ARKit — all the available rendering technologies Apple has to offer, as well as a collection of fun projects for creating various real-world AR experiences.
After reading this book, you’ll have a deep understanding of the technologies and frameworks used to create powerful, immersive AR experiences for the Apple platform.
Who is This Book For?
This book is for beginner to intermediate iOS developers who already know the basics of Swift development and are looking to build immersive AR experiences for the Apple platform.
Our previous AR book, ARKit by Tutorials, was a collection of ARKit-specific projects for creating various real-world AR experiences. This book is the successor to that one: Apple Augmented Reality by Tutorials provides the readers with a single, unified path to all of Apple’s available AR technologies that includes ARKit, RealityKit and Reality Composer, and SceneKit and SpriteKit as well!
This book includes a collection of fresh new projects for creating various real-world AR experiences.
What’s Inside Apple Augmented Reality by Tutorials
The full first edition of Apple Augmented Reality by Tutorials contains seventeen complete chapters, so you can get started building your next-generation killer AR app!
Section I: Reality Composer
Welcome to the first section of the book. In this section, you’ll dip your toes into the shallow end of augmented reality as you learn about AR Quick Look, Reality Composer, Reality and USDZ Files. You’ll create an interactive virtual drum kit that you’ll be able to share with your friends on iMessage.
Build interactive models that you can share through Messages!
Build interactive models that you can share through Messages!
This section contains the following chapters:
- AR Quick Start: Get up to speed quickly with your first project in AR!
- AR Quick Look: Discover how to integrate AR Quick Look into your apps to give them some cool AR superpowers.
- Reality Composer & Reality Files: Find out how to leverage the power of Reality Composer to create interactive AR-based experiences.
- USDZ Files & USD Python Tools: Learn about USD and the USDZ file format, and find out how to convert your virtual content into this universal format using Python-based command-line tools.
- Reality Converter & PBR Materials: Discover how PBR materials can add a level of realism to your AR objects, and how you can use Reality Converter to convert, view and customize USDZ content.
Section II: Reality Composer & Image Tracking
In this section, you’ll dive a little deeper into augmented reality and learn about image anchors and tracking. You’ll also create an interactive AR Business Card that you can show off to your friends, making them green with envy.
Learn how to add custom actions and interactions to your AR scenes!
Learn how to add custom actions and interactions to your AR scenes!
This section contains the following chapters:
- Image Anchors: Learn how to use image anchors to scale and place virtual objects within the real world.
- Behaviors, Triggers & Actions: Spice up your reality apps with animations and sound effects using behaviors, triggers and actions.
Section III: Reality Composer & Object Tracking
In this section, you’ll add another dimension with Object tracking. Using object anchors, you’ll augment a physical toy truck with interactive buttons that will reveal some fun facts about its real-world counterpart.
Master 3D real-world object tracking for increased precision and accuracy!
Master 3D real-world object tracking for increased precision and accuracy!
This section contains the following chapters:
- Object Anchors: Learn how to use object anchors to anchor AR content to physical objects within the real world, and take a tour of ARKit Scanner — an iOS app that lets you scan physical objects.
Section IV: RealityKit & Face Tracking
In this section, you’ll learn about RealityKit and face tracking. You’ll create a SnapChat-like face filter app with SwiftUI that lets you mockup your face with funny props. You’ll also create an animated mask that you can control with your eyes, brows and mouth.
Create realistic and interactive face-tracking features for your app!
Create realistic and interactive face-tracking features for your app!
- RealityKit: Find out how to set up and use RealityKit to build a face-based augmented reality app.
- Face Anchors: Discover how you can use face anchors and face occlusion to track a user’s face and apply a virtual mask.
- Facial Blend Shapes:
- : Build a fully interactive augmented reality face mask that reacts to your facial expressions using blend shapes.
Section V: ARKit & SpriteKit
In this section, you’ll get a full introduction to ARKit and find out what makes it so powerful. In doing so, you’ll create a fun 2D SpriteKit game where you get to save tiny Emoji’s before they fall to their death.
Handle spawn points, physics and raytracing with ease!
Handle spawn points, physics and raytracing with ease!
This section contains the following chapters:
- ARKit: Get a complete introduction to ARKit, Apple’s framework for creating fully interactive augmented reality, and learn about the different types of rendering options available with ARKit.
- ARKit & SpriteKit: Discover how to combine ARKit and SpriteKit to create exciting augmented reality 2D games.
- Raycasting & Physics: Learn about raycasting, 2D hit-testing and the SpriteKit physics engine as you add more features and functionality to your game.
Section VI: ARKit & SceneKit
In this section, you’ll continue learning about ARKit. You’ll also learn about SceneKit, Apple’s framework for creating 3D content, as you build a miniature interactive virtual airport that allows customers to access basic departure and arrivals information.
Create billboards and overlays as you build up your app using SceneKit!
Create billboards and overlays as you build up your app using SceneKit!
This section contains the following chapters:
- ARKit & SceneKit: Find out how to use the power of SceneKit and ARKit together to create powerful 3D augmented reality scenes.
- Focus Nodes & Billboards: Discover how to detect, manage and use plane anchors and focus nodes. Learn how to enable environmental mapping and add lights and shadows.