Spacific
Frequently asked questions and answers about augmented reality
Below you will find the answers to all the questions we are frequently asked about augmented reality. If your question is not (yet) included, simply use the contact form - our AR experts are happy to help.
General XR ScanXR SceneXR Creator HoloLens
What do Augmented Reality, Extended Reality and Virtual Reality mean?
In a nutshell: Extended Reality (XR) is the generic term for all environments in which virtual elements are added to the real world. Augmented Reality (AR) and Virtual Reality (VR) are subsets - AR adds virtual content to the real world, while VR places the user in a completely virtual environment. We have provided a detailed explanation and numerous applications and examples in this blog post.
How can I test or buy solutions?
Our offerings are aimed at companies and organizations. The easiest way to use our solutions is to register for free on the portal, where all solutions are also available in a free demo version. If you have any questions or would like to receive a personal offer, please use our contact form and we will get back to you as soon as possible.
How can I make sure that the solutions fit my requirements?
Ask us! Either via the contact form or in an experience workshop: Here we present the technology and solutions to you and your employees in detail and jointly develop a customized concept for your requirements.
What are the technical requirements?
The current requirements for the solutions can be found in the system requirements.
What does "unlimited users" mean in the Enterprise module?
If you choose the Enterprise module for a solution, you can register as many users as you want, but only within your organizational unit - for example, if several companies belong to a group, the purchased license is only valid at company level, not at group level, unless otherwise agreed.
XR SCAN
For whom is XR Scan suitable?
XR Scan is suitable for all industries in which individual and complex measurements have to be carried out on site at the customer. Whenever something has to be measured in the inventory in order to plan based on it, the intelligent 3D models of XR Scan accelerate and simplify the process considerably.
A standard use case is the creation of as-built documentation, whether as a starting point for new engineering projects or as part of acceptance and commissioning procedures for industrial plants, ships or construction sites.
How user-friendly is XR Scan?
Thanks to Mixed Reality, individual and complex measurement recordings, e.g. for industrial pipelines, become a highly intuitive task that can be easily performed after a short training session without any further prior knowledge. The user learns the rest practically on the job. According to feedback from most of our first-time users, measuring with XR Scan reminded them of playing a video game. Not only is it easy, it's fun. XR Scan made a complex technical task fun and made it easier, faster and more reliable.
How does the use of XR Scan affect companies?
By generating intelligent and accurate 3D models that are directly available for further planning without post-processing, XR Scan significantly reduces costs and time:
XR Scan not only shortens the duration of a measurement, it also provides real-time access to the generated data via the Solution platform. The data is provided in the required 3D format and can be used immediately for subsequent engineering tasks. If required, customers can access the data via an open API and integrate it into their existing ERP/CAD ecosystem. This drastically reduces the lead time for design and, in most cases, completely eliminates the need for paper drawings.
What is a LiDAR scanner?
LiDar - for Light Detection and Ranging - is a scanner that is installed in both the iPhone 12 and some models of the iPhone 13, among others, and uses the radar principle with lasers. A LiDAR scanner can therefore judge distance and depth. The idea is not entirely new (as early as 1971, the Apollo 15 crew used it to map the surface of the moon), but now the increasingly precise and compact technology is being rediscovered: for vacuum cleaner robots, self-driving cars - and for business process solutions at the touch of a button.
What can LiDAR technology do?
Instead of using a single infrared pulse to capture the environment, as was previously the case, LiDAR emits a whole sequence of such pulses in a very short time and combines the data with that of the camera and the motion sensor - for a greater range (5-7 m) and accurate results that also show partially hidden objects, for example. This opens up possibilities for a simple use of augmented reality as well as for digitized measurement with XR Scan.
Do you need a stable internet connection?
No. XR Scan is an offline application, no internet connection is required for the application itself, only for sending the data.
In what format will I receive the results?
The 3D model of the measured environment including all objects is available as OBJ file.
Can XR Scan be used for large objects or outdoors?
Predominantly - outdoor use is possible without further ado, for large objects the only restriction is the range: you should not be further away from the object than 5 to a maximum of 7 meters.
How do I perform an optimal scan?
You get the best possible scanning results when you
move the camera slowly and smoothly, without jerky changes of direction
take as many perspectives as possible
move as close as possible to the objects to be measured.
How big is the data of the scans?
The file size is on average about 5 MB, depending on the size and complexity of the measured environments.
Does XR Scan generate textures?
No, in order to achieve the best possible results in the shortest possible time, XR Scan does not capture textures.
How long does a measurement with XR Scan take?
This strongly depends on the size and complexity of the respective measurement task. Field experience has shown that the duration of a measurement can be reduced by up to 60 % compared to conventional measurement methods, such as camera systems, lasers or even measuring devices.
How high is the measurement accuracy?
The accuracy of XR Scan depends on the distance and size of the measured objects. At an arm's length of up to 1 m, the accuracy of XR Scan is approx. 99.9%, i.e. the deviation is up to 1mm in each direction.
What about data quality?
Since XR Scan lets you see what you are measuring and what you have already measured, it is almost impossible to miss important points. Thanks to the configurator, each customer can define the relevant objects to be measured. This significantly improves the first-time-right quality.
What kind of device do I need for XR Scan?
To use XR Scan, either a Microsoft HoloLens or an ApplePro device is required, i.e. an iPhone 12 or 13 pro, an iPad pro 2020 or 2021.
XR SCENE
Where can I get 3D objects?
As a rule, you will already have 3D data that you want to display. If you do not yet have any 3D content available, you can use various stores for this purpose, including the Spacific ObjektStore from summer 2022. There are various software solutions, including free ones, for creating your own 3D objects, from beginner tools to complex applications such as Blender.
Which formats can be loaded and visualized with XR Scene?
The data formats FBX, OBJ, GLTF, GLB, STL, PLY, 3D DWG and 3MF can be used.
What can you do with the virtual objects?
Users can interact with the objects in various ways: They can be zoomed in and out, lifted, moved and rotated as desired.
Do users need a stable internet connection?
How do I upload animated objects?
Just as non-animated, simply click on the plus sign.
Is there a maximum size for the objects?
No - by using remote rendering, there is de facto no data cap.
What is a location-based / location-independent scene?
A location-based scene anchors objects at fixed points in space - such as a virtual extension directly on the exhibit. Location-independent scenes can be called up in any environment - for example, your sales visualization on site at the customer.
How do I create a location-based scene?
To start a location-based scene, you can first scan a real environment in order to store the objects in a location-based manner using so-called room anchors. If the scene is then restarted, the environment is recognized and the scene is displayed again at exactly the same location.
Why is my object loaded without textures?
Please make sure that you export your object linked with the corresponding textures in a common 3D program (e.g. Blender) before uploading it to the object library, so that the object already contains the texture. It is not possible to upload textures separately.
Can I use scenes more than once?
Yes, scenes can be reset and then reused. If a scene is changed by an editor, it is reset to this state for all participants. Each participant can also reset their own scene via a button in the scene overview.
Is sound possible?
No, not at this time. XR Scene was developed as an MVP, currently we are gathering feedback on which additional features are the highest priority for our users. If the need arises, we can implement Sound in a short time - contact us!
What is Remote Rendering?
Remote rendering - we use Azure for this - enables the loading and display of very large 3D models with several million polygons via cloud services. The 3D models are calculated in the cloud and transferred to the user, who can interact with them as usual.
Although the amount of data during rendering is almost unlimited, the devices used are of course still subject to limitations that can have an impact on performance.
How do I use remote rendering?
Remote rendering can currently only be used with a HoloLens. An Internet connection with at least 40 MBit/s downstream and 5 MBit/s upstream is required for use; approx. 100 MBit/s downstream and 10 MBit/s upstream are recommended.
3D models are uploaded and converted in the Self Service Portal (SSP) in the object library. In the scene management, the checkbox for remote rendering from Azure can be activated when creating a new scene in order to add converted models to the scene.
XR CREATOR
What format do the 3D objects need?
Creating augmented reality web pages with XR Creator requires data in GLB format.
Does it make a difference which browser is used?
Yes, at the moment only Google Chrome and Safari can map augmented reality.
Just like all the others, simply click on "+ (Add)".
Normally, the objects should not exceed 10 MB.
Users can interact with the objects in many ways, rotate and move them, lift them up and zoom in/out.
What is the HoloLens?
The HoloLens is first and foremost a pair of data glasses that creates mixed reality, i.e. visually integrates virtual elements (holograms) into the real world. As a stand-alone wireless computer, it has both eye and hand tracking as well as numerous sensors. The results are evaluated by means of artificial intelligence, using Azure Cloud Services. HoloLens 2 is a further development of the original HoloLens and is fully compatible with Spacific solutions.
How does the HoloLens work?
HoloLens embeds digital content in the real world. Among other things, the HoloLens' stand-alone computer generates high-resolution holograms with which the wearer can interact in a variety of ways, using speech, looks and gestures. Artificial intelligence from Microsoft Azure is used to connect and evaluate the data from the numerous tracking systems and sensors.
Are you restricted by the HoloLens, can you continue to work normally?
In our experience, the HoloLens 2 in particular, whose field of view has once again been significantly increased compared to the original model, allows you to work without restrictions, wirelessly and hands-free. Numerous well-known companies such as Daimler or ThyssenKrupp also regularly use the HoloLens 2 in their workflows.
Do I need a stable internet connection to use HoloLens?
It depends: In principle, the HoloLens can also be used offline, but an Internet connection is mandatory for logging in. Furthermore, it depends on which software you use - XR Scan, for example, only requires a connection for data transfer.
dennis.ahrens@spacific.de
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