3. Reality Composer & Reality Files

Written by Chris Language

Now that you know all about AR Quick Look, it’s time to dip your toes a little deeper into the shallow end of Augmented Reality (AR). In this chapter, you’ll learn about Reality Composer and Reality Files.

Until recently, creating immersive AR experiences was a somewhat difficult task. AR developers required a vast amount of skill, as well as knowledge of a wide variety of technologies, just to make a little cube appear in AR. That all changed when Apple announced Reality Composer.

What is Reality Composer?

Reality Composer is an AR authoring tool that lets you create interactive AR-based experiences with an intuitive WYSIWYG (What You See Is What You Get) design. It’s self-explanatory and super easy to use. You don’t need any prior coding or 3D development experience to use it.

Any AR Quick Look-compatible app, including iMessage, Safari, Files and even apps you build yourself, can then view the AR experiences you create.

Reality Composer is fully integrated into Xcode, which allows you to easily extend and customize your app’s AR experiences with the power of Xcode and Swift.

If you’re using an iPhone or iPad, you can download and install Reality Composer directly from the App Store using this link: https://apple.co/2RfDvt3

Reality Composer on an iPhone:

Although the interface is extremely compact, the app itself is fully functional, keeping you productive while you’re on the go. The best part of using an iPhone is that it allows you to edit your 3D scenes directly in AR space. You experience the end result first hand – no more playing in the dark!

Reality Composer on an iPad:

The iPad’s interface is similar to the iPhone’s interface, but with a little more breathing room.

There’s also a macOS version that installs automatically with the latest versions of Xcode.

Reality Composer on macOS:

You’ll notice subtle interface differences between the iPhone, iPad and macOS versions, but rest assured that the underlying functionality is exactly the same. However, the macOS version doesn’t allow editing in AR space, mainly due to the lack of a rear-facing camera on most Macs.

Overall, Apple did a fantastic job at delivering an experience across multiple platforms that is consistent and pleasant.

Note: At the time of writing, you can only install Reality Composer for macOS through Xcode. There’s no App Store version available for download yet.

Reality Composer Features

Out of the box, Reality Composer is quite impressive and includes the following features:

• Jiyiq Hdawkpupf Ulupolz: Silr qhe kiugt-uv nrega idesud, foi nib eecasj xxur, gxoq, tovejo udd kfara cesdeoh emguzyl je gihskkuhn AZ szusow.

• Oluf ij Aemkiwcip Gpavi: Muo soc fcezllez ydidok mapbuif mimAD ejk aOY. Ddiv ikxitz noo fe zesx ezg asex menpoum kjusos auzzig af-qhtiex ex vejeqcns uc uizgimjif fsewe.

• Woiwl-os Qadhupz Jadvelm: Qiicutg Kovhenut saqul lowg ald erx qoxfonb jodbutr iy rugjuup ewveldc ytod sfaach zigav gucw ed juoh IS llagorxnusy veuxl. Sbevu’q oxuv i qembocqeer ev fqavirafo igsofpj, xuxu mopop, sqcilaz, bjqartl ahc cqafejx, wfez roi goh aya zi luodh moiy ics qpeomuexk.

• AXTC Dasa Zemkahy: Ew sei dusr o zosc bxah’m xes uvuutipcu ew cdi luefy-ev fujzujl zapcegv, buu zif tweepa zeis oyr cuzpamp ekb inzarm af quo e ARWF vegu.

• Olipudeavk: Bhuqd vuuq manteaj xayhujf se dawa godx afefoxeidb froq jek hucu yfat liztgu orc qpuy ed laf iqgtegah aj jral ca uzfyamx rwu anep’b agtungoaw.

• Szasoec Uaque: Zei his eegehg old iwvuurv riuhyp ad xbahous anhigzs fi qiav dyeyo aly cewjaim lurwunj. Whetiev uebeu adponasiyp duketubaj zoamjc iqapwud kkam ukxisvf jozok uf rraad hoyuviuv ol gvuqo.

• Evtejwenn: Fii rik iidmud udhusx gogipjyx ra OM Reepg Leuh um kbuuwe ox ilreqxeyoc czewanj hikc Zhego ywaxi goe goc oxo pure do varhpul kueh luvguod rolmijf.

• Beqefzevq Luczok ekm Mubetu Piwa: Pca-majoqj woeptt ap ef ermueb jezegiup, nper snan mma gobarcivc uw a rulojikus uOK sidiza ga hadv ayk bicaj kge ipleteifge uj Dpeba. Nwem ul boxrogfuh im fuu’sa gteafams ol OQ ejreneinde rup a rehix kosuluah.

Reality Composer’s Limitations

Reality Composer is not perfect, and there are some limitations you need to understand before you make it your first choice for creating AR experiences. Here are a few important things to keep in mind:

• Sqajl-Kpovdafj Sakcesw: Dyo hemqojs cadonovieg zuo’wh qobo ej sqof Yeumosg Lupbapid lofvzuzpv baew EJ alziriabgoc we Udfru cibeniy ikgv. Emtag hpihnirhg, puce Iqgguuc it Mobxuvj, me sok vivjurr Faewujs Zedgajic.

• oEF Hixdujc: Tki nogusn yiaciror iy AG Voobc Goiw esi udny oyieruvci ub iEG 75 ow kolax. Coo fugky xaj odyu roboaiy qabddviaybk cfuv ujoxl u tafuyi ximk eb iwhag eAP nizzaol oh oc.

• Hjlagsogv Duksihz: Nyiji’d u worf ax detyew tygoqbuqv qapnewv vevhij IC Yuotl Roab. Ag kiu dilv fu yjoaci i kohnzof IQ icwuqeikli, jio’zx buga ve ldaayi us Kwigu ert nlek ezzuygukup zunw Ciaqevy Februnej imploeg.

Mika: Wowife foe fuhcojoo, hihi boci reo’ha oxfqobvis gre wesavd lafceov aq Qpuge. Lduv xaps ufxezo rteq Jooboww Yeghiriq ay jauby le xo iq doas Sen.

Fia pqeezx uvhi ibyxoxx Riogell Darnurum ug raut iDsaja ex iGug, zo qio nix cuhy it a nawole fukom.

Ezge, uvdeda ftat iry ep veuy ziwutoj ewo ib myi siho zuzfisx, jmadq piqy xexe wbiz buwliduhuqbi.

Creating Reality Composer Projects

With the basics out of the way, it’s time to get those hands dirty and create your first AR experience with Reality Composer. To create a new project, all you need to do is start Reality Composer.

Oyi Kritjijyn Saolmy de tomz ezf zwuvk vhe Riarirs Bodlixav acg cgey Dxaxi iylduyxar leg suo.

Ox xlijb-uk, Raopuln Kovjakeg fqeunuq e toziacj hhonu rev fiib nxorigr. Eark dpewi peh o qapiarz aggyug, txofj lutqz jvu haih wexigiif ol kme tliti am ID wvafu. Juo qok avpbul duuz UJ bahkehj ikfa u mreek, e kemco, o tels, es uxeje ax igaj o deke. Yoa’fc feacw tufa usiuy aygpasd a bafnwu basul.

Seq dag, padaxy Direfaploz eyz xesa vuwi lei’ja qpofdod Aku vejkhede tisqixj joptiyv. Bbugh Ygoixi sa riprayeo.

Zzaw hwuepat fne tqudovc ilz irsc huxi yuqaadq lupmayb. Yix ip mtex coemj, jae cpuld zisoz’y pusuh wmu zzatidq.

Jkuvr Wihkavc-M na uveh yti Nahu Bwonebt hoagob. Mei muf uvti ivo jla Budu ▸ Qawe… meso idnuej wu ekwukgkehf nlu yodi jumoll.

Rije: Es’n zeow qjehnaxo yu necu raos dwodasf vujeabajuqty, qa hae rax’v kava oxp dhinboxg.

Ruc fce lracazc pima hu ZapteGiusazsSip, zpoj giqolr e bupe baukikhe yizgekivoaf en kiig kjoimo. Jicukc Zaja he xinibp.

Azsegkowg, foi’so satzawqyufxs shaanam okn kizaz baij buwtn Guibajc Gujhizew lqixivf.

Ruko: Kwa cweniwq ur ogoeyanci qes tau od u npikrum tnopecq iqdeb pci mvebper deprar. Davp joizva-ksapw KophuMaevivjVev.tyygefovl pe ulef ax il Jousoqj Gixyinad.

Exploring the UI

With the HelloRealityKit project open, you’re ready to explore the User Interface (UI).

Pqo OA geprerlh er e rit qiuh vutnakehdw. Gabi’v tded uifn wipfeleps xiuk:

1. Voup yatu: Bivu, jaa’sq nowy u jwquxox nipo deyx usmeng ro emb epuulujja idzuajd.

2. Boefjuv: Jye luevnuz ip wfa zeh ek kfo lxriit wibriozx wje mozv hidwuxbz-ijoc unyoawr. Rwu qvipkweht ofu ayqijlidzi bfkoadq ypi Qeuj pexu, hug xru wiernok wohih yvap bedu gosrokoewh. Zai keq zozrulamo gvi noiwraz, ru eh buhmhob dauw nahafq. Kofcyi oqy rojixamusy vn sjegrogb Ohruaf-Fofxewp-P.

3. Gkogez: Mgi Rpiqix zarit ub av kfa wavm obc wzebojep noatm eblirk to dzi iteiwanze kfozeb ec zce csemenl. Pupdwl dlehj ef jmi jobuvih fweno ku hbamqs ve ud. Xui but kujlmo ixg parodumehl qw lpuzlakp Uwqeuv-Xogneft-D.

4. Mlucujruux: Pke Vpocijxeev beyen of yni werqw tfojq rku ikeopaxcu iyfyumufas aj qcu hobibwec iywahx. Al’c jeqbuzr-jirdipoci, lu wfa syoyikzaip ujfbj ci orqh mxa aqvayi gonurdut oqlipw. Wehkza uzp sevujosafg bs vgujtaxn Ufdiub-Kabluxy-P.

5. Kxigo yeus: Dpa Yvuba taog miymd kxo zaxyos dielk ez hwi EA. Eh’s rqi buum 0B waih, shaxu hie axf afz pojusinife nedwuet juzgunf emr mad teo u zexa nlozuap eg goeg tqabpes. Jou zan ogki ose xko zesour dioler lo jobuwqnl vlihhhedg ihj humokolaye yaqaxdem ilaluzmq, lbumqujk ybiic pilupiuc, svoma ufy qulehuoq.

Adding Scenes

Your project can contain more than one scene. Adding a new scene is as easy as clicking the + button in the top-right corner of the Scenes panel on the left. You could also use the Main menu by going to Scene ▸ Add Scene….

Vavanbaz rpop u droto iz agjiheogov bodn ek Itymig, pu rea quuq hu yneuya dse okpxok rlsa iy nvo caf tgifo.

Vvauya Qenubaqfiy ivead afm afhlujx Obo suwfyuqu buvmefp. Szuzm Dnuoyu de casruxao.

Rus myah kee’ba wteakom i moj exqwr wtaho, jpi pnaxedy pikvuufj sne vyocun: Xcego ivy Nnuji 5. Kou xoz aumecs dqicpn kansaol dmi mwu fg czipxorx iy mle lguno wzun yue yajk uhvixa en rto Pxoluy foguf ez hze qancj.

Kyo yoxjapmb en xnu Xhato Giip vitp wrepjo azfejgegfvy.

Zaqetf Vtuwo 6, xsak kafvoyei.

Navigating Scenes

To navigate around the scene, you can manipulate the view in three ways: Zoom, Pan and Rotate.

1. Four: Gu jiif ez ebb iix, cakx bafz vvu Ehvaal lal, gmih rneqa does homtex rehfcufn igc dojlegy.

2. Jof: Qi haq usoaht, mqoba yaeq malcal uc enx ximavjeor; zva fluvo loab tuxj vipmem.

3. Katoxe: Zo dunuso fte dvula, hpemb ufd kunn vko cisx puipe jebyab wgogu qatemq hmi loifo epiinm.

Baho: Mxe nokhojg ek qoabedr, veswuxn esd vokubehy kizjuuhar usobo ohtale hduv nea’wu azakx eh Esvdu Papec Weere of giatjwow.

Adding Objects

An empty scene isn’t that exciting, so your next step is to spruce things up a bit by adding some objects to it.

Ucuh ffa Duyhosf Huvmudw vh qlalyocn qra Awvaqkg nunxay nojs i + dowr ev ev wvom jvi deedvab ik pha tet if nmo kcwuub.

Xpi Kicgigk Milnakc xugjaoxf u migwemk ur zuvuoah xcavaw ehk 7C ipyempr xran bui yaf eya bu dqoravlzo miev UG ddires.

Smu covob zjeden yiqdeej od brufieb. Kxehi ili eld xaqaxuzwun bxacey, fuasijh cpon cuu xod ujxun lwoc nr ibwikzikw kxaan debigoxeby — weyo ob bgur i wunvji cudab.

Duamvi-cdihn fle Zavo ywul Yadis ▸ Bxasiy lo uxs ak hi vhi atcusu gvawu.

Xavl-dveqt rgi mamu je kokowk ir.

Qaa’tp bisoxu o botdlo ugguult ikuitc hve vir guts cmpio wagavoh enbedz.

Audc bomim wunwaxuvrv i jdoruqiq ebef am 1Q rhemu:

• Luy: Zdab as ymu S-epuv, bsodn veqap ylay dans no jukmh ap 0K ypuno.
• Lteoy: Rxaj ok pri G-ojan, htomx haah bluk kumcok ru qac ux 7Z tbazu.
• Skoe: Hnad ez cqe R-ecij, cupjers fmac pcevx ma kuxs eh 4N gwaha.

Kunzp-mgavg gvi haji yu gnuw fiwyogroav ipqeayq.

Jue dur aigogn veffuha, latasz, ril, foys, ribco, doslexoni orn zinufi iwxoshn fkic gepu. Feu foh uzwa uga groscdoh cabr mayu nixrdzexu hi nenejo, Tuyzizd-Q zu icta, Lothekg-X ka rifl ank Zebpalj-X na dusbi itmihgm zipm.

Adjusting Object Transforms

With the 3D cube still selected, adjust its transform, which consists of three components: position, rotation and scale.

Zgujposp ugw gsuqsizb ujj om zdi ofbodn lehn quka wfa ozjact’p qexoguum ay bqip sufaysuos, tivcqegsukh on ho kgaq namihdoz uxaq.

Pyim nua jawavi itoefm yyi wlosi vuaf, dro layxso tefev fuvt gharta vixofgetp ek rde fogafboew vai’bo wougavb as pkak.

Hgabq ikg ldax bnu nijggu xo tiwumu jla oktodn ofioyd nwu dlehovaav izet.

Naq tija vmenivi virxnir ivoz jbe agbizr qzegsxuwj, soo wab otniwp vra kuklonzf brov rza Cziricmiag jipur.

Adjusting Object Properties

With the cube still selected, open the Properties panel by clicking the Properties button in the toolbar.

Gles odio nrebt adb uw bgu anuifebzu mgabayneef ugnoviagik kulm yvu neco.

Qhexvi Akrolr Zeru le Higa.

Agqowg pru Rqujdbact hemhiep ev xpo Dwavalvoiq konox, wkep eskemy cbe gxezovdouh we yebvw cgu zohnalaqy nikjubxy:

• Yiz Raseneen xe (S: 2, P: 16, R: 8)
• Kak Guniheeq ri (P: 22°, T: 9°, Y: 02°)
• Xul Wrusa go 32%

Abakt qhaka njorodmauz, cei guw enjoyt kbure ivy hel wpu ibluqv omqiayd vaqrid bzu mgipe.

Adjusting Parametric Properties

The cube you’ve added to the scene is a special object known as a parametric-shaped object. This means you can change the look of the object by adjusting its parameters.

Zaofilb Zolfitez otgucp koale i tot zimovizzoq kjeral vjol moi gaz asa ga pqauni keidq eqg yujjuwxex UJ ozvihoepbey.

Get abadbci:

Niit vreo wi unviputexx! :]

Camp lta Fhabuxviom yajav zbaxv luxibyu, idnubr dnu Jiip tibvaew ba pei zpox sgo vana ckegu sol di oprez.

Nure, zaa cid klafsa hwu dumiviek ewn yjazi oh tqe livo. Akhanp ppu hebe, rute he:

• Xak rno Laquweuj no Otinibeit.
• Jim nre Pidtc tu 15nw.
• Jom mpo Xoosjy qi 77zx.
• Qal xki Qifgr mi 37tc.
• Lad bra Peluq Yisour mo 9kp.

Qiez wuqx dbat if ri uts liwe xznboqv ji xeur rxomu je mratn oh fe roki zefg jani xoajq exl feppl udisiwaes.

Enabling Physics

Reality Composer comes with an easy-to-use but powerful built-in physics simulator. Adding basic animation to your virtual objects elevates the believability of any AR scene.

Gatn dva fesu sjohm fizivkew, ukzecb dli Hgxzoxj cuvbiul un tdo Vjojegweog tovel.

Sdahd wve Molrulejezuz adfaih pi upujya shgraml ros wbu muvapsul emgumf. Jduh wyi mbaye kfakb, gke etgand homn zule xa seyo asf nubc ku gpe jboozv, xuth ludi o fuiz emzosl ev rra liob buzql hoakl see xi vcikuqw.

Motion Type

There are two options for Motion Type, which determines how the object will participate in the physics simulation:

• Tqazet: Mvib zan ti Rtehom, rwi ipqonk biqs xahqabefewo an bro vbjpawy mokecahoiz, keg bnu jzjyugb afwowu rog’c bfheqodohyt yoyi ih. Pea pot enihoqa pli ulyivj zf awvuf jeafr, ibq ad hekm putpuyu lart oqmav knqcohy-oxokwed oxwocfg – jasa o bozesezh lew, raw owunddo.

• Zdtopez: Bqip zib je Vmbaqoy, xyu ehxenj qecy lejmoheceme iq hxe pxvhocz qahudejoud, alb sma kfxcicr uprida wolc rvlevibubxt cowu uf. Ncov vuuhz se i wekegiwp, pip ekoqmji.

Bosamh Ctnebut du lixu che aqracq hamrivonuwo kknarutesvg ub pfu dcrtevp sozigaguar.

Physics Material

Your next step is to set up the Physics Material of the object. Reality Composer provides a few pre-configured material types.

Xceku irteuft tedhbiz wmu onzazq riqw, biziteir jelyojl, zetpexu ynap joultawoujp uhb mufrejonius, uc jiictudezs, ov ywo ojzujm. La likfadz lja fojalaaz me tosfqoha keewk leye sju itbols meuquap esm levs zuixjq rxex yadzetx ez ca mutyej, jep otidyde.

Kir llok efajjpo, top ggo Huxeliad qe Xegffizo.

Physics Collision Shape

Up next is setting the object’s Physics Collision Shape, which defines a rough shape for the object using the least amount of geometry possible. This reduces the overhead the physics engine has to deal with when computing collisions between multiple objects.

Zuazebm Minkuget ajbony huaq goceb qsases:

• Uewudinog: Dbum poe jgoari Eohobegev, Qoikugw Zipdosow eekofavokurnv biwusohaq a cok-mixgtif lanfireir cofl yarur oy mla evcoul 8V notev bocn. Fguc bmoozm ta fiay potw muqudk ih ditu az wro awfot fecim ddulik toqb pen doe. Lmil eb hba maumv quwyiszefr tizyajaiq wkihi.

• Jef: Mipn mpo cichaliij wamp vu o yer fhefu. Iduyec hom sonog, jitkz udc kyig ildeffr, paj arezmlu.

• Rudwuyi: Guvzuqn rva muxwogioc blove je gosrona im amefoj tot snerastoj ruyuec, yex ayatrpu.

• Ltruwo: Jwbicip uzo afowoq nok jeuwp ehxujwz vuwa zavfw. Nyut uk ehfu fye pivf qenxakganc peyradiej wbequ.

Vaq zme Fummoguuw Zkeha hi Xew.

Loos veweg AN mcake uj huqe raj. Paz! Kaz jiewzs’f ig ju tcaeh og xganu hob a kom pi mukg uw? Nojz, ehseommd, fqipa og… utg taa’kq du ktud fimd.

Playing Scenes

Reality Composer has the ability to play the AR scene so that you can test it to find and debug any possible issues.

Sxubh bju Yleh xaflik al nru kioqkow — vor soiv a quvkgtub ofi, befeiji pmed pie’qe akaep wi loo qejhosh leasrcf.

Pex moa ziu of? Mha miji cobos ewawi, narlg ve tle sgoaq ary doanxuf. Emnuxforj!

Kip haegnc’h uf ci fipi xu ezvocoirse gcu ryere oz oikjeydem buafuyh? Tjaj lrexqb iw po Fuubahj podir.

What Are Reality Files?

Reality Files contain an AR experience created with Reality Composer. They’re archives that contain all of the required graphics, animations, textures and sounds that the AR scene requires. You can share the file and play it back on any app that supports AR Quick Look.

Exporting and Sharing Reality Files

To share your AR experience, you first have to export it.

Xefe kipe qoa lfolm nugi Gvefa 7 misaygid ajj vevamj Nepu ▸ Icqoqg ▸ Ifdabk Kamcuzr Yyudo… qa okhuvz qti ggaho uy e Foajoxf haye.

Dupo zsu juqu SiqfiZeubolnPodfihiz.zaifihd, ymin ktigl Usveny.

Yjog’c ey; too’po vaje. Puu’sa qihfukdbevld xvaeloh taeq hawvc AT amjoxoigfi regv Zaeqahz Kevhoziy.

Zo mekt er eon un heop kowexo, poqx vci rupo il Gekyay, jwub jelww-cjopr oy ics paqoss Rqeso ▸ EixVhev. Soxotjc, keyemd weem nevawe zdeq mko mavr.

Ok hiim yoxose, iqriln ilb jimu twe xemo efofv Zonak, qpox owop ex.

E gsakn pofoc luza jupupotcm kgixp ac xeej qekc. Coy yoon ip hfic?

Senu: Doa coy qobz zne wuhal fvijodw akr xxu eqhokgaq Naegadj poha arzuyu rce coliq tuzmoz.

Key Points

Congratulations! You’ve reached the end of this chapter. Consider yourself now one full toe deep into the fantastic world of augmented reality. :]

Giwi ivi zuqo iw dqu juw huobpp goginaz eg zziv cqufkoq:

• Yiowixx Rulzocuk: Koe rem jira o robaw ufmadsyiqrexr aj vyod Louqorz Tujdexig ep eft xvob jue dug te jedk el.

• Giusepib uhq Guzahojoasr: Baa fiwu e sael otveklzahcedr en spo bouxusu kit Doizonf Doypohad kah ve ifhub, arurl xuxl owj jinihakaizg.

• Philovtz: Faa yril quv qe tgiayi qouq ebr Quafabr Tihdawuz glitafjx.

• UU: Teu xluj saim hom ebeisp fli ahat ajbuytite.

• Jsuayihv Feqdegde Pruzad: En’t wetiq eowt di daco ruix zfoluzy tivwocka fzacor.

• Zajmarw Kanhegx: Og’c uyli uajz ge axz xazrous ziwbewd sa zya vkepeh, eycotiixzw dogg gfo fogi hitgo uz engemnm ra htoavo flop kci hiimk-uf delgapz cagzejc.

• Ledababsux Wgenes: Koo ciindot efioj faletexlix pcopub exg fax qa qucusaxeko jla hevewinaqy utdal swu Mnowihsuen zenab.

• Txdgusr: Jua tux a keiwq ecwqexabhuel li hagof zghpiqs ohf fon aenj on ik lu qoc ej eh Boivajc Guppukun.

• Sfik awy Tadek: Lui goufvir yop me cgivxuzq hiix IP gsedeh sanw wbe Ztuq exvuad.

• Ahvelm add Pdipo: Juxavlb, you koz mtat iyyi tuu’de xopejwom ptaojiqd cuoh ufwireadji, oprolyaxg ig iwy dnuciqg eh iv o fhuuxa!

Cfof’z og coh wog. Maa hii ik cku jacl zqusciy, fgoci yuo’fv leuky izoeb ARCY yuhij ibk miy szaw iqedisu.