We’re delighted to see that you’re interested in using our system to bring your augmented reality ideas to life. Just before we take you through the set up of your personal augmented reality creation hub and show you a step-by-step example of a simple AR video project, please don’t skip the below disclaimer. You want to know what you’re signing up for, right?
Currently, the augmented reality experiences built with our augmented reality creator can be retrieved by the Overly app only. Make sure to download the app to test your creations, as well as let your end-users know that they can retrieve the content via our app.
- Download the Overly app on your mobile via Google Store, Apple Play or open this link on your mobile.
- Here you’ll find 16 AR content features that can be retrieved with the Overly app; you can test them before signing up and creating your own experiences
- We also offer augmented reality demo case studies that you can have a look at and trial for inspiration
- Here is a guide on how to develop effective AR markers with the result in mind
- If you wonder how to get people to download the app, here is a blog on motivating people to interact with your AR content
Ready to get started?
Sign up with the Overly AR creator
Wherever you are on our site, you’ll always be able to see the red “Sign up” button at the top and bottom of each page, as well as in quite a few other places right across our website. The first step is to give in and click on it.
We’ll take you straight to our registration page. Note that a credit card is NOT required for the free sign up and initially you’ll just have to enter your name, e-mail and choose a secure password.
Once that’s done, we’ll ask you to clarify your area of interest in terms of augmented reality projects. We do this because we want to provide you with samples, templates, demos and offers relevant to your industry. However, you can select “other” if you wish to proceed without much personalization.
Setting up your first augmented reality project: basic account, video example
Believe it or not, that’s all that we require before enticing you to start your first project. As you can see, you can proceed with the set up straight away.
To walk you through the process, I’ve decided to create an AR canvas for my living room. The canvas will feature an augmented reality marker, which is a photo from my recent trip to Thailand. Once my guests scan the canvas, I want them to be presented with a video summary of the trip.
So, I fill in all the details as below and click “Create project”.
The software takes me to my brand new account workspace, which currently features one project – my Thailand canvas.
Just as a side note, I’ve registered with a basic account, which allows me to have two markers and 20 scans per month. Perfectly adequate for my project, as I am not planning on having that many people over at my place, scanning the photo. However, I can choose to upgrade at any time. For now, I go ahead and click on the “Thailand project”.
As you see below, a single project can have multiple markers, which comes in handy for grouping stuff if you’re creating an AR calendar, magazine features, etc. I only have the one canvas print in mind, so I go ahead and click on the three dots on the right-hand side and choose “Edit marker”. You can also click on the marker itself.
The basic account lets me select a video augmented reality layer.
The next step is to pick what kind of video you’ll upload and if you’ll have any effects. I’m just going for an MP4 file. I am also skipping on the effects.
The system lets you choose the placement of your video. You can place it anywhere on the marker and use the dots in each corner to make it smaller or increase the size. It is good to initially ensure that the marker image matches the size of your video, so it layers on top nicely. Here is a blog on how to do just that.
It’s too late for me because I do not want to crop the photo, and when I was filming the video, I didn’t plan on making an AR layer of it. Again, it is just a little something for my home to entertain my guests, so it is not as important as if it was for a corporate project. However, if you find yourself to have a streak of perfectionism, please refer to this blog to ensure you start with the end in mind. Once happy with the placement, click “Publish”.
It will take a few seconds for the project to be published. The software will let you know once it’s done and you can also check in with the marker status within each project box.
Testing your AR experience
Last but not least, and please don’t skip this step. Just before you go ahead and print your canvas, calendar, photobook or magazine, download the Overly app on your mobile via Google Store, Apple Play or follow this link and scan your marker images from your PC screen to ensure these look as expected. You can also refer to the blog about creating marker-based augmented reality content if you want some tips on some considerations for printing AR markers, e.g., say no to glossy prints that reflect light. Mine look perfect, so the next step is getting the photo file to the printing house!
I do hope this has been a helpful guide for you guys. We will be putting together other blogs on creating projects with static and moving 3D objects, creating alfa videos and more. While these are in the making, feel free to ask any questions in the comments below or send us an e-mail at hello@overlyapp.com to discuss your ideas or get some help with your project.
