We are making a savings app for AR called Bankshi and so I thought of exploring more AR app and thought of reviewing one which caught my eye. So this app is called SketchAR and I was really impressed with the idea but not so much with the app functioning but it has potential and it was certainly needed in the market. With this AR app, you can trace murals on the wall, sketches on canvas(for now A4 and A5). This is certainly meant for people who can’t draw but would want to learn by tracing. You might say that this is cheating but citing Dami Lee(my favorite comic artist) I would say the first step towards learning is doing it.
When you open the app you have to trace 4 crosses on the sheet so that camera recognizes your canvas but to get those crosses it fiddles a lot. I would suggest do it in white light or maybe daytime. Because it is really irritating when your camera can’t trace your canvas and you can’t move forward in the process. The interaction is otherwise very straightforward and it is easy to navigate the app. The other thing is that the app allows a user to use pictures from their own gallery or app’s gallery which provides numerous things to be traced. Another problematic aspect was holding the camera in your hand, it gets really tiring to hold it in your hand while you sketch so a tripod is a better option.
I really think this app is resourceful in the sense even a small kid can use it to make a quick sketch with the help of tracing for a friend’s birthday! While talking of augmented reality app for kids I found :-https://www.theverge.com/2015/10/5/9453703/disney-research-augmented-reality-coloring-books
I really like this idea of augmented reality coloring book. How about if this could be merged into a single app. I like one app for everything. I mean only if possible :P
I am going to be reviewing Altspace VR today. You can hang out with real people in the virtual world at places of your choice, be it campfire, house or somewhere else. There are events you can attend, do virtual Yoga, play games, talk etc. Altspace VR is really fun if you are playing on HTC vive or Oculus Rift, not at all on Oculus Go. I am just waiting for an event on Altspace, where you get to be on stage. As you join in you can put your name on the list and then you can go in and perform. On Altspace everyone has an avatar. So you can just go and sing and nobody will know :P.
There are interesting movements that happen in Altspace like transporting yourself or walking. I can move around, approach people, in fact, whatever gesture I do in real life, my Avatar does the same in VR and all of this is really enjoyable. Watching other people do weird stuff while they get the hang of the thing is hilarious, one of them was just turning around to check how it feels, another one moving her hands to shake other person’s hands. A little thing which was off was it took time to load for me. But the whole concept is amazing. I love it. I had a good time in Altspace. Oh shoot I forgot to tell but if you are in Altspace through mobile, you are handless :P
I am seriously considering watching movie with virtual strangers tonight in Altspace. :P I will recommend being in AltspaceVR :)
I tried this VR game app which was based on the movie Robin Hood releasing this November. Playing involved aiming with an arrow and releasing it from the bow. The controls were intuitive pulling and releasing of the bow were dependent on the trigger. You had to help Robin Hood in killing the soldiers who were then trying to kill you. Practicing aiming was fun. This was a small game made for marketing the movie. I think it can be expanded by putting more obstacles and creating more levels.
Graphics were okay and I think I can enjoy it more if the graphics were more realistic. I didn’t feel the immersion while playing this. I do like the part of using VR for promotional purposes, I wish it was okay if we could put VR headset for long hours without feeling sick so that VR would act just like TV. Because then only we can expect the vast number of VR apps available in the market to be tried and tested in this medium and massive VR consumption. It starts hurting my head if I have the headset on for more than 20 minutes.
I will totally recommend this VR app if you are looking for a short, refreshing break.
