Introduction:
Reality Composer is an AR app by Apple that allows users to easily create interactive augmented reality experiences. With a simple drag-and-drop interface, users can add 3D objects, animations, audio, and behaviors to their AR scenes. The app is targeted towards designers, developers, and creatives who want to quickly prototype and build AR apps.
Experience:
It follows Apple’s design style and has a simple interface. Use the plus symbol to create new compositions, or click the thumbnails below to open existing files.
Using a metal sphere and a couple of plastic spheres, I created a simple composition. Building the model and choosing materials is very simple with the software, but the options are limited. By overlaying behaviors, you can simulate different actions, and there is even a built-in base sound effect. By turning on the camera, we can observe the effect in the current scene and trigger the behavioral effect.
Checking out the tutorial for this app made me realize how powerful it actually is. Modeling software such as C4D, Blender or Nomad can be used to import and achieve amazing AR effects.
UI/UX Improvements:
- The object library could be better organized to make finding 3D assets faster. Right now it’s just a long list that you have to scroll through.
- More customizable controls and logic blocks for building interactions would allow for more advanced AR experiences. The current options are limited.
- The interface relies heavily on menus and modes that aren’t always clear. This could be streamlined for better workflow. While the basic operations are very simple, more complicated special effects require a great deal of learning.
What They Did Well:
- The drag-and-drop workflow for placing objects and building scenes is very intuitive.
- It feels natural and expected to work with 3D objects, animations, and camera controls through intuitive gestures.
- It is extremely easy to iterate and test projects in real time without having to compile or deploy to a device. This is intuitive and can speed up development.
- The built-in objects are limited, but offer high-quality assets and visuals, allowing for polished, professional scenes.
Composition AR video: https://youtube.com/shorts/dgtlFCbboZY?feature=share