AR in Real Estate - Augmented Reality (AR) Tutorials

Property AR Viewing

Tutorial 1 of 4

1. Introduction

This tutorial aims to guide you through the process of implementing an AR (Augmented Reality) property viewing feature on your website. By the end of this tutorial, you will be able to create an interactive, realistic view of a property using AR. This will enhance the user experience on your website by providing a virtual tour of a property.

You will learn:
- Basic understanding of Augmented Reality (AR)
- How to use AR.js (a powerful JavaScript AR library)
- How to integrate an AR property viewing feature on a website

Prerequisites:
- Basic understanding of HTML, CSS, and JavaScript
- A modern web browser that supports WebAR such as Chrome, Firefox, or Safari.

2. Step-by-Step Guide

2.1 Setting Up the Project

First, let's set up the project. Create a new HTML file and name it index.html. Next, add the following boilerplate code:

<!DOCTYPE html>
<html>
<head>
  <meta charset="UTF-8">
  <title>AR Property Viewing</title>
</head>
<body>
  <!-- AR content will go here -->
</body>
</html>

2.2 Importing AR.js Library

To use AR.js, we need to import the AR.js library. Add the following script tag within the <head> tag:

<script src="https://aframe.io/releases/1.2.0/aframe.min.js"></script>
<script src="https://raw.githack.com/AR-js-org/AR.js/master/aframe/build/aframe-ar.js"></script>

2.3 Adding an AR Scene

Now, let's add an AR scene within the <body> tag:

<a-scene embedded arjs>
  <!-- 3D model will go here -->
</a-scene>

The <a-scene> element is the container for our AR content. The arjs attribute tells A-Frame to use AR.js for AR rendering.

3. Code Examples

3.1 Adding a 3D Model

Now, let's add a 3D model of a property. This usually comes in a .glb or .gltf format. You can find free models on websites like Google Poly.

<a-entity gltf-model="url(property_model.glb)" scale="1 1 1" rotation="0 180 0"></a-entity>

The gltf-model attribute is used to specify the model. The scale attribute is used to adjust the size of the model, and the rotation attribute is used to adjust the orientation.

3.2 Adding a Marker

AR.js uses marker-based tracking. We'll use a Hiro marker, which is a default marker provided by AR.js. Add the following code inside the <a-scene> tag:

<a-marker preset="hiro">
  <a-entity gltf-model="url(property_model.glb)" scale="0.05 0.05 0.05" rotation="0 180 0"></a-entity>
</a-marker>

Now, when the Hiro marker is detected, the 3D model will appear.

4. Summary

In this tutorial, we learned how to integrate an AR property viewing feature on a website. We covered how to set up an AR.js project, how to add a 3D model, and how to add an AR marker.

Next steps would be to explore more complex 3D models and different types of markers. You could also customize the AR experience with animations and interactivity.

5. Practice Exercises

Try to add a different 3D model to the scene.
Try to use a custom marker instead of the Hiro marker.
Try to animate the 3D model when it appears.

Remember, practice is key when mastering a new concept. Happy coding!