Understanding Augmented Reality: Concepts and Applications (Paperback)

Augmented reality is not a technology. Augmented reality is a medium. Likewise, a book on augmented reality that only addresses the technology that is required to support the medium of augmented reality falls far short of providing the background that is needed to produce, or critically consume augmented reality applications. One reads a book. One watches a movie. One experiences augmented reality. Understanding Augmented Reality addresses the elements that are required to create compelling augmented reality experiences. The technology that supports augmented reality will come and go, evolve and change. The underlying principles for creating exciting, useful augmented reality experiences are timeless.

  Augmented reality designed from a purely technological perspective will lead to an AR experience that is novel and fun for one-time consumption-but is no more than a toy. Imagine a filmmaking book that discussed cameras and special effects software, but ignored cinematography and storytelling!  In order to create compelling augmented reality experiences that stand the test of time and cause the participant in the AR experience to focus on the content of the experience - rather than the technology - one must consider how to maximally exploit the affordances of the medium.

Understanding Augmented Reality addresses core conceptual issues regarding the medium of augmented reality as well as the technology required to support compelling augmented reality.  By addressing AR as a medium at the conceptual level in addition to the technological level, the reader will learn to conceive of AR applications that are not limited by today's technology.  At the same time, ample examples are provided that show what is possible with current technology.

• Explore the different techniques, technologies and approaches used in developing AR applications. This book helps untangle the seemingly endless different approaches that are being taken in the market today.


• Learn from the author's deep experience in virtual reality and augmented reality applications to succeed right off the bat, and avoid many of the traps that catch new developers and users of augmented reality experiences.


• Some AR examples can be experienced from within the book using downloadable software


• Associated website includes: additional cool application examples available for download, links to interesting applications, and videos that support the points being made in the book.

擴增實境不僅僅是一項技術，它是一種媒介。同樣地，一本關於擴增實境的書籍如果只討論支持擴增實境媒介所需的技術，則無法提供所需的背景知識，以便製作或批判性地使用擴增實境應用。我們閱讀書籍，觀看電影，體驗擴增實境。《理解擴增實境》探討了創造引人入勝、有用的擴增實境體驗所需的元素。支持擴增實境的技術將會興衰更迭、演進和變化，但創造令人興奮、有用的擴增實境體驗的基本原則是永恆的。

從純粹技術的角度設計的擴增實境將導致一次性消費的新奇有趣體驗，但不過是一個玩具。想像一本關於電影製作的書籍，討論了相機和特效軟體，卻忽略了攝影和敘事！為了創造引人入勝的擴增實境體驗，使參與者專注於體驗的內容而非技術，我們必須考慮如何最大程度地利用這種媒介的特點。

《理解擴增實境》從概念層面上探討了擴增實境作為一種媒介的核心概念問題，以及支持引人入勝的擴增實境所需的技術。通過在概念層面上將擴增實境視為一種媒介，讀者將學會構思不受當今技術限制的擴增實境應用。同時，書中提供了豐富的實例，展示了當前技術的可能性。

本書探索了開發擴增實境應用所使用的不同技術、方法和途徑。這本書有助於理清當今市場上採取的看似無窮無盡的不同方法。

從作者在虛擬實境和擴增實境應用方面的豐富經驗中學習，可以立即成功，避免新開發者和擴增實境體驗使用者常遇到的陷阱。

一些擴增實境示例可以通過可下載軟體在書中體驗。

相關網站包括：可供下載的其他精彩應用示例、有趣應用的連結，以及支持書中觀點的視頻。