Augmented Reality: A Practical Guide (Paperback)

~ (Author), Mark Fiala (Author)

Editorial Reviews

Product Description

Augmented Reality is a natural way to explore 3D objects and data, as it brings virtual objects into the real world where we live, rather than forcing us to learn how to navigate inside the computer. With video-see-through technology, AR handheld devices such as tablet PC (TM)s, PDA (TM)s, or camera cell phones, (or in many cases just a webcam and our standard computer monitor), you hold the device up and see through the display to view both the real world and the superimposed virtual object. You can move around and see the virtual object, model, animation, or game from different views as the AR system performs alignment of the real and virtual cameras automatically.

This book will introduce you to Augmented Reality (AR), provide detailed explanations of how the technology works, and provide samples for you to try on your own. Code samples using the freely downloadable ARTag software SDK in C++ and C# are included; all you need is a computer, printer, and a webcam.

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About the Author

Stephen Cawood is a former program manager at Microsoft Corporation and the author of several gaming titles. Pat McGee is a faculty member and course developer at the British Columbia Institute of Technology and a technical engineer at SAP. He is a game programmer.

Product Details

• Paperback: 311 pages
• Publisher: Pragmatic Bookshelf; illustrated edition edition (January 1, 2008)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1934356034
• ISBN-13: 978-1934356036
• Product Dimensions: 8.9 x 7.4 x 0.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 3.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #141,355 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

1.0 out of 5 stars Uses proprietary, abandoned AR library, August 22, 2009

By	John Brewer - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

The overall content of the book is good. However the technical parts target the author's "ARTag" library. This library is both abandoned and proprietary. The institution that sponsored the development of the library (National Research Council of Canada) no longer funds AR work, and has taken down the SDK download. Purchasers of the book can download a single copy of the library for non-commercial use on a single computer after filling in a web form that asks for specific words from specific pages of the book. You are not permitted to redistribute the library. As far as I can tell, this is the only way to obtain the library right now, and so I cannot recommend you use it on any projects that you plan to redistribute.

4.0 out of 5 stars The basics of AR, November 2, 2009

By	Andres Lopez - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

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Is important to have the book, for reference, guide and knowledge. Keep you working in the ideas and you can agree important elements with your collegues.

4.0 out of 5 stars Augmenting Reality , March 2, 2009

By	Joseph A. Nickence (Gladstone, MI) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

I've developed an interest in augmented reality in the last couple of years, based on what I've been finding in YouTube videos. So recently I've been considering doing some coding myself. "A Practical Guide" is a straight forward approach to this expanding field. While it isn't a type of AR for Dummies book, it does take you thru the basics. This is a book good for getting the feel of what AR is all about.