AR Dance Party
Updated: Oct 8, 2021
Experimentation on building Augmented Reality experiences using apps on the market.
Using Adobe Aero, I explored avenues on creating interactivity with a well known AR application. I wanted to test out the limitations of the app and determine it's strengths and weaknesses in creating truly interactive immersive experiences.
AR Dance Party
Going back to the first concept of the Hologram piece, I wanted to create a character that I can control with my phone. What I learned was that Aero doesn't allow for seamless transitions with different animations, but I could create triggers using an "On Tap" method to simulate the movement of one animation to the next, by "hiding" and "showing" each individually imported model with an attached animation.
AR Dance Party Process + Demo
How was this made?
1: Experimentation
I downloaded the Adobe Aero app and explored its features and capabilities.
Capabilities
Allows users to import models
Animation features are generic; move, scale, rotation
Has some slight customization for animation; Hide, Show, Wait, Orbit, Aim
3 Trigger options; On Start, On Tap, Enter Proximity
Allows users to export custom animations directly from Mixamo to Aero via Creative Cloud, streamline pipeline
Aero scans any flat surface to determine an anchor point where the characters will be fixed. Once an anchor is placed, characters can be moved around the predetermined surface area.
2: Animation
I chose a premade character from Mixamo with an animation. Then exported to Aero. I chose different animations with the same character.
3: Design placement and Interactivity
Once one character was placed I can then set the parameters to create the experience. I chose two different characters to interact with each other at the end to create some dynamic interaction.
Ultimately, users can control almost all aspects of the piece. Then, add any kind of music to create the illusion of a Dance Party in your home.
Possible Improvements
Aesthetically, a ground plane could give the illusion that the characters are fixed to a place without looking like they are floating in space. Perhaps, adding more dynamic interaction with characters could make the experience more entertaining or give the illusion that the AR character is interacting with a real person.
Further Avenues of Exploration
If Mixamo has a seamless integration into Aero, does it have the same capabilities with other adobe applications?
How can other adobe applications be used to create a more immersive AR experience?
Can something like this be integrated into a Game Engine to create more complex interactivity?
Are other AR applications on the market better or worse to design simple AR experiences?