Running a #Junaio Channel On My Server

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Further developments to my Personal Research Project, Artefact 5.

I tried using their GLUE Channel Creator but didn't have much luck. I've therefore uploaded one of their GLUE examples onto my server to see it I can start to understand how it works and customize it from there.

Now it's successfully running from my server, I now need to change the tracking image to my QR Code based Augmented Reality marker and create my own 3D image, which has to consist of a .md2 file and a .obj file.

'The MD2 file format supports animated models with up to 1024 vertices per model. MD2 models cannot have different colours but textures. Therefore, textures have to be baked in case for instance "vertex colours" shall be shown.
One MD2 file can contain a set of different animations. The animations are calculated on per-vertex base (no bones) and are very efficient for mobile devices with weak processors. Although the MD2 file format is a vertex-animation format, the file itself is very small in size compared to other vertex-animation supporting formats (like VRML for example). A Model with around 500 Vertices, 1000 Polygons and a total frame number of 200 with all animations will consume about 480 KB of storage on the mobile device. When this exemplary model is loaded into the renderer it will consume additionally 750 KB of system memory. Please consider that 200 frames in MD2 at 25frames per second can be actually about 600 frames when considering some steps ongoing in MD2 content preparation. Usually, MD2 models do not need to have more than 500 vertices (although 1024 per model are supported). Differences between a model with 500 vertices and a model with 1000 vertices are nearly unrecognizable if the texture map for the MD2 model was well prepared.

The OBJ file format is a model format for static meshes. It supports multiple meshes with different textures and materials. Meshes can also have assigned different materials to their polygons.
Thereby, the OBJ format provides more flexibility with respect to textures than the MD2 format which can only use one texture. However, the OBJ format does not support animations. Thus, it is recommended to use the OBJ format for high quality static objects and rely on the MD2 format for animated models.'

These files must the be encrypted with a file size limit of 350kb each.

If I want sound with my 3D Model I would also have to add this to the XML -

<poi ...>                            <customizations>          <customization>             <name>Name</name>             <type>sound</type>             <!--"click" will start the sound on user interaction; "idle", once the model is loaded -->             <node_id>[CLICK/IDLE]</node_id>             <value><![CDATA[URL_TO_YOUR_SOUND_TO_BE_STREAMED]]></value>          </customization>       </customizations>    ...  </poi>

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#Junaio Augmented Reality Browser Saves The Day!

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As you can see in my last blog post, I've been trying to set-up an Augmented Reality SDK, which unfortunately didn't support the HTC Legend, so now I've moved back into looking at AR Browsers.

Here's where Juniao comes into play with their GLUE Channel Creator which is exactly what I've been looking for!

I've even played with a test version of my QR Code based AR marker within Juniao's Instant Tracker.

I've also signed up to be a Juniao Developer and currently waiting for their servers to be updated with my created channel which will allow me to test my Augmented Reality business card on my HTC Legend.

The test images are viewing my marker from a computer screen.

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Problems With Eclipse and Software Development Kits

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As I've mentioned before, I've been following the steps on the QUALComm website (https://ar.qualcomm.com/qdevnet/) to try and develop my own Augmented Reality business card idea.

It's been a tough few hours of following tutorials on setting up the development environment I'm which their step by step mentions the installat

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Header and Featured Post for Client

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Cbhc_heading

I've spent the afternoon tidying up the header and featured post section of my client project.

I'm using a custom file for the home page entitled 'myfront.php' which will include a featured post. I'm hoping to add a little show/hide jQuery to the featured blog post and I need to sort out some PHP which will applies the image contained within the post as the background image. I may have to create a custom field within the post for this to work.

I've pulled the search bar from the header from previous designs as it cluttered the header a little. I've also increased the space between certain sections of the Twitter bar, side bar and featured post. I've also improved the CSS3 features on the navigation buttons and on the Twitter bar.

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Artefact 5 - Planning for the Creation of my Augmented Reality Business Card

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To summaries my last artefact, it has given me good grounding for my next artefact (number 5) for developing my own Augmented Reality business card which will (hopefully) include virtual video content.

In researching methods to do this I've found two pathways to follow; One being an ActionScript 3.0 version utilizing a computer or laptop webcam, and the second pathway of developing it for Android using an Augmented Reality Software Development Kit (AR SDK) by Qualcomm.

In following the second pathway, I could actually use it on a supported mobile device which would be brilliant, but I'm struggling to get my head around the code, etc. so may have to keep to a simpler ActionScript 3.0 version until the next artefact.

I feel like I'm just scratching the surface but hopefully I can get the ball rolling over the next few days.

I'm also looking at the use of green screen to have my video with no background when displayed from the business card.

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Artefact 4 - Evaluation of my Augmented Reality Business Card Concepts

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Reflecting back on my research topic and what I’ve learnt from the
last artefact, I wanted to include the use of Augmented Reality in the
sharing of information and ideas. I therefore took the results from my
last artefact and integrated a QR Code business card with an Augmented
Reality marker. I then developed 4 concepts of how this Augmented
Reality would work to test with users. These concepts included a
simple image/avatar,  a portfolio/flipbook, video content and finally
social media links.

Although these weren’t working prototypes, results from generating
these concepts showed that users preferred the portfolio/flipbook and
the video content to the other, simpler concepts. Opinions showed that
the ability to include a large amount of information on the flipbook
was a likeable quality however the QR Code within the marker could be
used to link to a website or portfolio which would be more suitable.
In using Augmented Reality to generate a virtual person within the
video it brings something unique to the virtual environment.

Users were also questioned on least effective concept with the simple
image and social media links scoring the highest. Comments that
emerged  from this highlighted the need for ease of use in accessing
the extra information, explanation of the icons and the inclusion of
more interactivity.

Finally over half the users agreed that they would adopt the business
card that included the Augmented Reality video content with the
portfolio/flipbook getting a positive response too. Reasoning behind
this came from the ability to present yourself as a designer which
would firstly show off your personality and secondly to put a name to
a face or brand.

To summarise, this artefact has given me good grounding for my next
artefact developing my own Augmented Reality business card which will
include virtual video content.

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Artefact 4 - Presentation

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artefact4.pdf Download this file

Concepts for Augmented Reality Business Cards, Artefact 4.

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Take a look at my fourth artefact - Concepts for Augmented Reality Business Cards

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Artefact_4_-_personal_research

Take a look at my fourth artefact and then fill in the survey that's linked to the page.

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Artefact 4 - 4 Uses of Augmented Reality with a Business Card

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Here are four different concepts for an Augmented Reality business card. I want to find out which one people believe to be the most beneficial to then go ahead with and create it for real (hopefully)
 
The types of AR include -
  • Simple image/avatar
  • A portfolio/flipbook navigated through by clicking on the red arrows
  • A video with audio. This would include either a personal introduction or the reading of my CV
  • Various social media links
I've also come across 'Junaio' an Augmented Reality browser - http://www.junaio.com/ which is similar to 'Layar' - http://www.layar.com/ which may be worth a look at, especially the developer side of things.

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Artefact 4 - Looking into the development of Augmented Reality with the FLARToolKit ((tags: Artefact, Augmented Reality, PRP, Personal Research Project, QR Codes, Quick Response Codes, FLARToolKit, NYARToolKit)

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I'm trying to learn how to create an QR-based Augmented Reality business card for my artefact.
 
So to start ARToolKit is the development package that has allowed developers to tap into the power of Augmented Reality and FLARToolKit is an ActionScript 3 port of the Java version of the toolkit. I have therefore found the following sites to help me create my Augmented Reality business card a reality!
 
 
Also this FLARToolKit intoduction has been helpful - http://www.scribd.com/doc/27363030
 
However looking further into how the video below works, the QR Codes resolve to certain codes like 'QRA:3DScyborx10xl' This shows that although the QR Code is being used for AR, it's not able to resolve to a web link or more relevant data. The code that it displays is obviously linked with an XML file of some sorts which generates the 3D image which makes it all possible.
 
 
Further research revealed that I could code into the ActionScript a QR Code Reader that recognizes and decodes any QR Code from any image source - http://blog.jactionscripters.com/2009/05/23/introduction-of-qr-code-reader-library/ which would then and load results into 3D engine.
 
So here's where I can download the FLARToolKit http://www.libspark.org/wiki/saqoosha/FLARToolKit/en
 
 
From all this I need to produce my own AR/QR Code business card. But first, as doing this will take a long time, I want to find out what would be the best using this AR. I want to check what people would find the most beneficial use of AR on a business card would be.
 
The uses could include -
  • A simple 3D avatar
  • A virtual flip book of my portfolio
  • A video/3D presentation
  • Social Network links
Although I would be using AS3, I would like to base my AR App on a mobile device which could complicate things a little. A fix to this would be using the NYARToolKit as I could develop it for Android - http://nyatla.jp/nyartoolkit/wiki/index.php?FrontPage.en
 
Finally to finish off this mash-up of web links to various things, for your enjoyment... Augmented Reality on an iPad2 (personal highlight - Zombie AR game at the end)
 

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