How to create an augmented reality photo gallery with Overly Creator?

With interactive video and 3D experiences out there, what’s so special about AR photo-over-photo functionality? Most often, galleries help provide structured in-depth insights within limited spaces.

While individuals use this functionality to squeeze photo albums on top of their family photographs, museums use the same functionality to bring additional artifacts out of the archive. Galleries have also become a strategic tool for many businesses, with companies hosting sales slides, recipes and step-by-step guides behind their unique markers. 

You may have a unique vision of using gallery functionality, but regardless of the outcome you hope to achieve, the process always follows the same steps.

For this example, I will create a canvas print featuring a photo from a recent family trip to Venice. Instead of creating a photo book from our travels, I will host AR photos on top of the canvas with Overly’s AR Gallery feature.

Step 1: Format your marker and gallery images

If this is your first AR project you are bringing to life, you may need to refer to our blog on creating markers, as getting the target images right is vital. 

To ensure the experience is pleasant to the eye, we recommend adjusting the gallery images to be the exact dimensions as the AR marker image. This is to ensure your photographs overlap the AR marker precisely.

I use an online photo editor, Canva, to do this, but it doesn’t matter what tool you use. It can be anything from Microsoft Paint to PhotoShop.

Step 2: Set up your workspace

Once you’ve selected and formatted your images, you can go ahead and create a new project within an existing workspace. Alternatively, create a new workspace to host the marker image for this project. Then select “Add new marker”.

Step 3: Upload your AR marker image

Once you click to add a new marker image, you will select one file from your computer and add a title. Click “Create marker” and proceed to the next step.

Step 4: Upload gallery images

You can then choose the “Image gallery” functionality on the left-hand side and proceed to upload up to 10 images.

Step 5: Organize your gallery & publish your AR experience

Once you’ve uploaded the images, adjust their order by clicking on the dotted icon and pulling the file up or down. As you’ve already ensured that the image dimensions align in the first step, there are no additional steps required for marker placement. Once done, click the “Publish” button on the upper right side.

Step 6: Test and enjoy the AR experience

Once published, the augmented reality gallery will come to life the second your marker image is scanned. Before sharing it with others or printing your marker, be sure to test the digital version on your screen. Download the Overly app and check the marker image. Mine worked as I expected, and the wall canvas has already arrived.

Below I’ve included a demo marker that you can scan with the Overly app and explore the Gallery functionality on your phone.

I hope you found this guide helpful.  If you have any questions, drop us a line in the comment or reach out via our chat function.