Augmented Reality (AR)

Let your customers see 3D models in their real environment using AR. Simplio3D supports two AR modes — Default (surface placement) and Wearable (virtual try-on) — on both iOS (AR Quick Look) and Android (Google Scene Viewer).

How it works: On desktop, users see a QR code modal to scan with their phone. On mobile, AR launches directly via the phone's native AR viewer. The QR code links to your shared viewer with ?ar=1, which auto-launches AR on the phone.

AR Modes

Default Mode (Surface Placement)

The standard AR experience. Users point their phone camera at a flat surface (floor, table, desk) and the 3D model is placed in their real environment. They can then walk around it, zoom in, and see it at real-world scale. Best for furniture, appliances, decor, packaging, and any freestanding product.

Wearable Mode (Virtual Try-On)

A body-tracking AR experience where the 3D model is attached to the user's body. The model follows the user's face, wrist, hand, or body as they move. Best for jewellery, watches, glasses, hats, masks, and accessories.

Wearable Mode Categories

Category	Tracking Target	Example Products
Face	Tracks the user's face using front camera.	Glasses, sunglasses, masks, face shields, headbands.
Wrist / Hand	Tracks the user's wrist or hand.	Watches, bracelets, rings, gloves, fitness bands.
Body	Tracks the user's upper body / torso.	Necklaces, scarves, ties, pendants, body armour.

Enabling AR

1Open your project and click the Settings (gear) icon.
2Go to the "Advanced" tab.
3Toggle "Enable AR (Augmented Reality)" ON.
4Choose the AR mode: Default (surface placement) or Wearable (try-on).
5For Wearable mode: select the tracking category (Face, Wrist/Hand, or Body).
6Optionally upload a .usdz file for native iOS AR Quick Look support.
7Toggle "Auto-launch on mobile" to automatically open AR when users scan the QR code.
8Toggle "AR Analytics" to track AR engagement metrics.
9Save your project — AR is now available in the shared viewer.

USDZ Files for iOS

iOS AR Quick Look works best with Apple's USDZ format. Without a USDZ file, iOS may attempt to use the GLB file, but results can be unreliable.

How to convert GLB to USDZ:

Apple Reality Converter (free, macOS only) — best quality
Blender — File > Export > Universal Scene Description (.usdz)
Online tools — Search "GLB to USDZ converter"

AR on Desktop (QR Code)

When a desktop user clicks the AR button in the floating tools toolbar:

1A polished QR code modal appears with an animated scanning line.
2The QR code encodes the share URL with ?ar=1 appended.
3Users scan with their phone camera (most phones support this natively).
4The link opens the shared viewer on their phone, which auto-launches AR.
5Users can also copy or open the link directly from the dialog.

AR Analytics

When AR Analytics is enabled, Simplio3D tracks the following events:

Dialog Opened

Desktop user opened the QR code modal

QR Code Copied

User copied the AR link to clipboard

iOS AR Launch

AR Quick Look opened on iPhone/iPad

Android AR Launch

Scene Viewer opened on Android

Auto-launch

AR triggered via ?ar=1 on mobile

Link Opened

User opened the AR link in a new tab

View analytics via the API: GET /projects/:id/ar-analytics

Requirements: AR requires your project to be shared (with a share link). The GLB model must be hosted at a publicly accessible HTTPS URL for Android Scene Viewer. Blob URLs (from the editor preview) will not work for Android AR.

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