My Images - Developed!

Below are the series of original images I have created and finished using Adobe Photoshop and Adobe Fireworks. Using both applications instead of just one helped me to achieve high quality images and high quality colour with no distortion when reshaping.


I used another Adobe application called 'Bridge' to import my hand drawn images into Fireworks. I used a 'live trace' to help give each line some substance so I was able make the hand drawn layer slightly opaque to start re-drawing with the tools available. After drawing over each line, grouping together certain layers and making each image symmetrical I was then able to edit the image in photoshop which I find easier to add colour to. 

Development

Before starting to plan how best to show the augmented reality information;

•Research apps available to help

•Research ways in which AR is currently being used

After a discussion about using augmented reality, an application was suggested that I had to research. Layar- this application enalbes users to create their own layers on top of real town and city maps. Although the software charges, I was hopping to use the free version which includes 1 layer to make my application. The only problem with this was that the API used to create your own apps was extremely complicated.

I spent over 3 weeks trying to develop the application using this technique. It involved a lengthy process of downloading software and updates ad registering for a certain key (similar to what you have to do when creating google maps API with php/javascript etc.)

It proved far more complicated than I had hoped so I moved on to other pieces of software available which would best showcase my idea and what I wanted the final product to look like.

 

Wikitude World Browser - Wikitude GmbH

My Augmented Reality - Mobikats LTD

Junaio Augmented Reality - Metaio GmbH

Most of these apps mentioned above didn't really assist me in being able to create my own Augmented Reality application on android and iPhone platform. 

I found an application which would let me showcase the design for the plymouth university degree interactive information project I have already created. It is called augment and is available on android AND appstore which is exactly how I wanted my application to distribute. I was able to download a set of markers to use which were portable and printable to I could begin to get my Idea working. My information posters were able to be brought to life virtually on almost any surface, I was also able to resize each design which was perfect when it came to allowing the information to appear visible and readable.