Hey everyone,
I’m stuck with a tricky problem. I want to make an AR app for Android using Unity, but without any paid plugins like Vuforia. I’ve tried different tools, but I’m looking for more control over my app.
The goal is to create NFT (Natural Feature Tracking) marker-based AR. I’ve experimented with ARToolKit and OpenSpace3D, but I’m confused about generating the necessary files.
Here’s what I need help with:
- How do I create a .patt file for my markers?
- Once I have the dataset files (iset, fset, fset3), what’s the next step to set up custom NFT marker AR in Unity?
I’ve spent ages searching online but can’t find clear answers. Any tips or guidance would be super helpful! Thanks in advance.
hey there! have u looked into arfoundation? its free n works with unity. u dont need .patt files, just use clear images as markers. import arfoundation package, make AR Session n AR Session Origin. then use Reference Image Library for ur markers. its not super easy but way better than paid stuff. good luck!
I’ve been down this road before, and it can be quite challenging without paid plugins. Have you considered using ARCore with Unity? It’s free and provides good support for image tracking, which is similar to NFT markers.
For creating custom markers, you don’t actually need .patt files with ARCore. Instead, you can use high-contrast images as markers. The key is to ensure your images have distinct features and good edge detection.
As for implementation, you’ll need to add the ARCore SDK to your Unity project, set up an AR Session, and use the AugmentedImageDatabase to define your marker images. Then, you can attach content to these markers using AugmentedImageTrackable components.
It’s a bit of a learning curve, but ARCore offers a lot of flexibility without the cost of paid plugins. Plus, there’s extensive documentation and community support available if you get stuck.
hey liam! i’m curious about your project, sounds super interesting! 
have you thought about using ARFoundation? it’s free and works great with unity for android. i’ve played around with it a bit and it’s pretty cool for image tracking.
you don’t need to worry about .patt files or those other file types you mentioned. with ARFoundation, you can just use regular images as markers. the trick is to pick images with lots of details and contrast.
what kind of AR stuff are you trying to make? i’d love to hear more about your ideas! maybe we could brainstorm some creative ways to use markers in your app?
oh, and if you decide to try ARFoundation, make sure to check out their docs. they’ve got some good examples that might help you get started. let me know how it goes!