How to easily create 3D augmented reality experiences with Overly's AR Creator?

If your 3D augmented reality project is also your first project with Overly Creator, I suggest that you check out our blog on account set up first and learn how to create a project first. You can then follow the steps below. You can also watch the below video tutorial for guidance. 👉 Go to 1:33 minutes to skip the intro.

As with any Overly Creator project, the first step is to select a qualitative and unique marker image, otherwise known as a trigger photo, that brings your AR content to life once scanned with the Overly app. Tips on creating AR marker images here.

Once the marker is uploaded, you will be able to select “3D object” as one of the elements to add to your project. Click on the button, and you’ll be taken to the BETA version of Overly’s 3D augmented reality creator.

Below you see the first screen, which lets you select a 3D object from our demo library or upload your model. One AR experience can feature one 3D object, and currently, the BETA only supports static content. In addition, you can add buttons in the previous view. Explore a guide on buttons here.

All 3D models within our library are compatible with our platform. If you upload your own 3D model, below, I will list some key considerations when preparing the file.

If none of our library models suits your needs, you can create your own content or download ready-made models from such platforms as Sketchfab or CGTrader. 

When creating your own 3D content, we recommend using Blender and following our 3D creation blog to ensure the object you build is compatible with mobile augmented reality projects.

If you opt for free or paid 3D models online, Overly 3D Creator’s accepted format is .fbx, .glb, .gltf up to 25MB in size. If your 3D object is compressed in a .zip file, ensure that the unzipped assets do not exceed 25MB. If you choose .fbx, .gltf, or .glb, ensure that the material structure is embedded within the file and its total size is no larger than 25MB.

Also, please note that files you download from online preview platforms may look different once uploaded to various visualization applications, including Overly’s 3D editor.

When it comes to .zip models, these have to be prepared correctly. Frequently we see that .zip files don’t contain the proper structure or include texture materials that are still not recognized in augmented reality (shaders or transparency, for example). If selecting a .zip file on Sketchfab, opt for Auto converted .gltf version to ensure it works on our platform.

The downloaded models may also be quite large due to the textures their designer has selected. You can look through the .zip folder for textures which are simple image files, and resize these manually to a maximum resolution of 1024px.

For this example, I will use a free 3D model that I downloaded from Sketchfab here as an Auto converted .gltf (see above). It appears as a compressed .zip file on my computer and holds on to the relevant files, which include a 3D scene and its textures. As I upload the file to the 3D editor, I can also double check if its size is compatible with the platform. As this file is less than 25MB, I can proceed with the upload.

Once the file is uploaded, you’ll be able to view it in a position and scale that the design file has been set to. You can then use adjustment options to ensure the 3D model aligns with your marker as intended.

As you work on your AR experience, you can change your viewpoint to ensure the 3D content looks good on the marker image from various angles. Just click and hold anywhere on the grey area and move your mouse to change the angle from which you’re looking at your project. You can also use the plus and minus buttons at the bottom right corner to zoom in and out.

The first button at the top menu is the Translate button which lets you move objects around the scene across the X, Y and Z axes.

•  X-axis is pink, and you can use the arrows to move the object to the left or right-hand side
• Y-axis is green and enables upwards and downwards movements
• Z-axis is purple and lets you bring the object forward or move it backward

You can click on the arrows to drag the object or use the corresponding coloured squares to move the object in your selected direction. At the crossroads of the three axes, you’ll find a square that lets you simultaneously move the object in all the abovementioned directions as you click and hold onto it. Whichever direction you select, the respective arrows will be highlighted in yellow when in use. 

The next button on the top menu is the rotate button. It works similar to the translate button in terms of adjustments across different axes. You can also select the entire object and rotate it in one go once the sphere’s lines are highlighted in yellow.

Scaling is enabled via the third button. Again, it works the same in terms of the axes. However, note that the scaling is locked to keep proportions. Whichever side you increase, the object will generally increase in size to ensure its dimensions remain intact.

Whenever you make changes to the object’s position, rotation and scale, you’ll be able to see numerical changes on the right-hand side of the page. You can click on these numbers and write the number of grades you’d like on each axis under every section.

Please note that sometimes the origin point of downloaded models doesn’t align with the centre of the mesh. This will affect the things you can do with the model in the system as you will be able to rotate or move the object in relation to its origin point. An example of misplaced origin point in the photo below. The origin point can be adjusted in a 3D editing platform, or you can reach out to a 3D specialist to update your model accordingly.

Once happy with how your marker is placed, hit the publish button at the top right and you are done. Below you’ll see a demo marker that you can scan to test how my project looks.

I hope you found this guide useful. Leave us a comment below or reach out via chat if you need any support setting up your project.