But how can we create AR and VR experiences from our 3D models? One of the easiest and most powerful ways is to use the AR-media Plugin for SketchUp, a tool that allows you to export SketchUp models directly into the AR-media Studio platform, where you can add events, interactions, media, and other features to enrich your 3D scenes. In this article, we will show you how to use the AR-media Plugin for SketchUp and how to create amazing AR and VR experiences with it.
How to Install the AR-media Plugin for SketchUp
The AR-media Plugin for SketchUp is available from the SketchUp Extension Warehouse for SketchUp starting from version 2019. To install it, follow these steps:
Open SketchUp and go to Window > Extension Warehouse.
Search for "AR-media" and click on the AR-media Extension.
Click on the Install button and follow the instructions.
Restart SketchUp to activate the extension.
Once installed, you will see the AR-media Extension's toolbar, which is your access point to the extension's functionalities:
Using the toolbar, you can:
Export the whole scene or selected models only.
Go to your AR-media Studio account.
How to Export SketchUp Models to AR-media Studio
To export your SketchUp models to AR-media Studio, you need to have an account on the platform. You can sign up for free at [this link]. Once you have an account, you need to retrieve your personal plugin token from your account data. This token is used to bind the AR-media Extension to your space and resources available on the platform.
To export a new model, follow these steps:
Click on the Export button on the toolbar. The Export window will pop up.
Enter your personal plugin token in the Token field. You can check the "Remember me" option to make the token available among different sessions.
Choose a name for your model in the Model Name field.
Click on the Export button. A progress bar will show you the status of the export process.
Upon a successful export, your model will appear in the AR-media Studio Asset Manager with the chosen model name.
If you want to update a previously exported model instead of creating a new one, you need to specify a model token in addition to the model name. The model token is automatically generated each time you export a model and is made available to you in the Asset Manager. You can copy and paste it in the Model Token field in the Export window.
How to Create AR and VR Experiences with AR-media Studio
Once you have exported your SketchUp models to AR-media Studio, you can access them from any device with a web browser. You can also download the AR-media Player app for iOS or Android devices to view your models in AR or VR mode.
To create AR and VR experiences with your models, you need to use the AR-media Studio Editor, a web-based tool that allows you to add events, interactions, media, and other features to your 3D scenes. You can access it from your Asset Manager by clicking on the Edit button next to your model name.
The Editor has a simple and intuitive interface that lets you drag and drop elements from a library of components onto your 3D scene. You can also use the properties panel to adjust the settings and parameters of each element. You can preview your changes in real time in the 3D viewer or in the AR/VR mode.
Some of the components you can use to create AR and VR experiences are:
Triggers: These are elements that activate events when certain conditions are met, such as when the user taps on an object, enters a zone, or looks at a direction.
Actions: These are elements that perform actions when triggered by other elements, such as playing a sound, showing a video, changing the color of an object, or moving the camera.
Media: These are elements that add media content to your scene, such as images, videos, sounds, or texts.
UI: These are elements that add user interface elements to your scene, such as buttons, sliders, menus, or panels.
Logic: These are elements that add logic and control to your scene, such as variables, conditions, loops, or timers.
You can combine these components in various ways to create different types of AR and VR experiences, such as:
Guided tours: You can use triggers and actions to guide the user through your scene, showing them information, media, or instructions along the way.
Games: You can use triggers, actions, media, and logic to create interactive and immersive games with your scene, adding challenges, rewards, or feedback.
Educational: You can use triggers, actions, media, and logic to create educational experiences with your scene, adding quizzes, tests, or explanations.
Marketing: You can use triggers, actions, media, and UI to create marketing experiences with your scene, adding product information, reviews, or calls to action.
Conclusion
The AR-media Plugin for SketchUp is a powerful tool that allows you to create AR and VR experiences from your 3D models. You can export your models directly from SketchUp to the AR-media Studio platform, where you can add events, interactions, media, and other features to enrich your 3D scenes. You can then view your models in AR or VR mode on any device with a web browser or the AR-media Player app. The AR-media Plugin for SketchUp is compatible with SketchUp 2015 and later versions. You can download it for free from the SketchUp Extension Warehouse and sign up for a free account on the AR-media Studio platform.
We hope this article has helped you understand how to use the AR-media Plugin for SketchUp and how to create amazing AR and VR experiences with it. If you have any questions or feedback, please feel free to contact us at [this link]. We would love to hear from you and see what you create with our tool. Happy modeling!
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