WEB AR | ASTONISHING WEB-BASED EXPERIENCES

WHAT IS WEB AR?

Web AR is a platform used to create augmented reality experiences that don’t require downloading an application. Web AR utilizes tools built into modern browsers to offer users an almost frictionless AR experience.

Why do I need Web AR?

First off, you need to know that there are a few primary approaches to creating an AR experience:

Create a web-based AR experience (Web AR)
Create an application-based AR experience (App AR)
Create an experience for existing social applications such as TikTok, or Snapchat (Social AR)

(Our augmented reality agency provides more specialized options for those who need a Kiosk setup – to see more information click here) With App AR, you can gain access to the most features possible at the cost of downloading the application. Social AR offers a low-friction approach but lacks a lot of features. Web AR covers the middle-ground by providing a low friction experience while still being a feature powerhouse. Web AR utilizes tools native to web browsers. This means a user simply needs to click a link to access your Web AR experience. However, using browser-based tools can mean that users have access to fewer features than on the App AR platform. Web AR’s no-download approach can be the platform-determining factor for many projects. Web AR gives users near-instant access to the experience by removing many layers of friction from the process. Friction might not be a blocker for your project. If you want to push the technical limits of what’s possible with AR, check out our article explaining the more feature-rich App AR platform. If your project’s focus is social virality, consider taking a look at Social AR.

If you want to assess your detailed project needs consider a free discovery consultation from our AR Agency based in Montreal.

Examples of Web AR

Even while lacking some features present on App AR, Web AR is by no means limited. The platform offers many advanced AR features that are not accessible on Social AR. Let’s take a look at some examples and use-cases of Web AR.

Punching Bag Demo

Upreal created an experience for Web AR that makes it easy to see how gym equipment will fill your home. Leveraging the GLB format and the Model Viewer by Google this demo lets users see the life-like dimensions of gym equipment. Users can now make sure that these items fit before ever purchasing the equipment. Ultimately this can be utilized in any gym equipment website to increase conversions and decrease returns.

For more information on this demo and what tools we used to create it, check out our article covering it in detail.

Coffee Maker Demo

This demo was created by UprealDigital for the web to educate users on the Coffee Maker product. Users can interact with different hotspots to get descriptive 3D animations alongside helpful information. This is an engaging way of educating users on product functionality. Additionally, the demo also features step-by-step 3D guides. In this case, the demo features a detailed guide that teaches the user how to refill the water tank. This incredibly engaging approach inspires confidence in the end-user who can virtually complete the task before practically attempting it on the real product.

For more information on this demo and a video demonstration, check out our article covering it in detail.

PizzaHut Pac-Man

Web AR can also be used to increase engagement with existing products. A novel and creative example of this is PizzaHut Pac-Man.

Do you remember Pizza Hut in the ’90s? It was filled with arcade games to entertain both young and old during their visits to the restaurant. Recently Pizza Hut reminded users of this by creating a Web AR experience that allows users to play Pac-Man in 3D, on their pizza boxes.

The experience went viral as users from all over the globe could connect and play Pacman over a box of pizza. All without ever needing to download an app. This took Pizza Hut back to basics with a modern augmented reality twist as customers remember why they fell in love with the brand.

For more information on Pac-Man AR, take a look at this article.

Advantages and disadvantages of Web AR

Now that you’ve had some time to think about the use cases of Web AR, let’s take a look at the reasons why (and why not) to use Web AR. Here’s a table that lays out the differences between Web AR, App AR, and Social AR.

	Features	Performance	Accessibility
Web AR	Advanced	Average	Very high (Accessible in any modern browsers)
App AR	Most advanced	Excellent	Limited (Requires a download)
Social AR	Limited	Average	High (Accessible on specific socials media platforms)

Advantages

Widest possible userbase

Implicit in its name, Web AR runs in most modern web browsers. This means that any user with a modern web browser can access and use your experience. Web AR’s userbase is simply unmatched when compared to App AR or Social AR. As a small trade-off for such a wide userbase, there might be some performance differences in your experience depending on the device used.

Zero friction usage

The greatest benefit of Web AR is the near-frictionless experience it offers. Web AR foregoes the need for a download by only using tools available in modern web browsers. This stands in stark contrast to App AR’s requirement to download your experience, or Social AR’s expectation that you have already downloaded an app such as TikTok or Instagram. A Web AR experience doesn’t require any work from the end-user and can be near-instantly interactive. Because of this, users will be more likely to try your experience.

Disadvantages

Fewer features

Web AR is a powerful platform and as showcased in our examples it can be used for complex and intricate experiences. This being said, it does lack some features when compared to App AR. Depending on the complexity of your application, Web AR might not be the optimal route to go. There are some fixed technical limitations and depending on your vision, Web AR might be too complex, or not complex enough.

If you’re still not sure whether or not Web AR is right for your project, feel free to book a call with one of our AR agency consultants. We’ll give you qualified feedback and advice on which platform to use for your next AR project.

What do we use to build Web AR?

For Web AR, we use the following tools:

Play Canvas

PlayCanvas is a web-first game engine in which developers can create stunning and complex AR experiences and games. PlayCanvas is trusted by major brands across the globe including Nickelodeon and Polaris.

ModelViewer

ModelViewer by Google, is an open-source component that can be used within web browsers which enables users to interact in real-time with detailed 3D models in augmented reality.

ZapWorks

Zapworks is an SDK that enables designers and developers to build AR experiences. Zapworks features tools that make complex items such as animations and physics much simpler to create.

8thWall

8th Wall is trusted by top brands (including Microsoft, Netflix) and has powered over 1,000 commercial WebAR experiences across different industries. Upreal leverages 8th Walls advanced AR platform to create industry-leading experiences.

Conclusion

Creating an augmented reality experience for web allows you to leverage some of the best AR technologies without any of the friction involved in downloading an application. Though Web AR might not be perfect for all projects, the versatility it offers is unmatched. If it’s become clear that the disadvantages of Web AR make it sub-optimal for your project, please check out our articles on App AR and Social AR to see if these options are right for you.

If you’re still not sure whether or not Web AR is right for your project, feel free to book a call with one of our AR agency consultants. We’ll give you qualified feedback and advice on which platform to use for your next AR campaign.