Search icon CANCEL
Subscription
0
Cart icon
Your Cart (0 item)
Close icon
You have no products in your basket yet
Arrow left icon
Explore Products
Best Sellers
New Releases
Books
Videos
Audiobooks
Learning Hub
Free Learning
Arrow right icon
XR Development with Unity
XR Development with Unity

XR Development with Unity: A beginner's guide to creating virtual, augmented, and mixed reality experiences using Unity

eBook
€8.99 €22.99
Paperback
€27.99
Subscription
Free Trial
Renews at €18.99p/m

What do you get with eBook?

Product feature icon Instant access to your Digital eBook purchase
Product feature icon Download this book in EPUB and PDF formats
Product feature icon Access this title in our online reader with advanced features
Product feature icon DRM FREE - Read whenever, wherever and however you want
Product feature icon AI Assistant (beta) to help accelerate your learning
OR
Modal Close icon
Payment Processing...
tick Completed

Billing Address

Table of content icon View table of contents Preview book icon Preview Book

XR Development with Unity

Introduction to XR and Unity

In this chapter, we will explore the extraordinary potential of XR development and how Unity, the leading game engine in the field, can help us unlock it. Through this journey, you will gain a deep understanding of the various forms of Extended Reality (XR) and their capabilities, paving the way for you to create immersive and unforgettable experiences. You will discover how Unity plays a crucial role in blending the realms of the physical and digital worlds worldwide. Let's dive into this fascinating world and discover the limitless possibilities that await us.

In this chapter, our discussion will encompass the following topics:

  • Understanding XR and its different forms (AR, MR, and VR)
  • How did Unity evolve as a platform for XR development?

Understanding XR and its different forms (VR, AR, and MR)

XR is an all-encompassing term that includes a range of technologies designed to enhance our senses. Whether it’s providing additional information about the physical world or creating entirely new, simulated worlds for us to explore, XR comprises Virtual Reality (VR), Augmented Reality (AR), and Mixed Reality (MR) technologies. You may be someone who has already put on multiple XR headsets, lost yourself in immersive VR games such as Beat Saber, or even have a VR headset of your own. If so, you already have a pretty good idea of what XR is. You may know that while VR implies a complete immersion experience that shuts out the physical world, AR and MR combine the real and virtual worlds with each other. However, can you pinpoint the differences between AR and MR?

What is the difference between AR and MR?

Let’s explore this through an example – imagine you’re wearing a Meta Quest 3 headset. This...

How did Unity evolve as a platform for XR development?

Unity Technologies, now a billion-dollar titan in the realms of gaming and XR, emerged from humble origins in a cozy Copenhagen flat in 2004. The company’s journey to dominating the market with its Unity game engine has been equally fraught with uncertainty and turbulence, like that of XR technologies.

In 2002, a Danish graphics student sought aid on a digital forum, where a Berliner high schooler with backend experience joined him. Serendipity united their game studio dreams. With only a father’s financial cushion and café wages, they created their first game in 2005 – an alien, trapped in a life-support sphere, navigating Earth. Players tilted the world, and the alien rolled, gathering gems and evading CIA capture, utilizing wall-sticking and jumping tricks. The game’s difficulty overshadowed its cutting-edge lighting, and it found little success. Recognizing their talent for building tools...

Summary

This chapter introduced you to the different facets of XR, namely AR, MR, and VR. You learned how AR strives to enhance our current reality, how MR pushes the boundaries of imagination to envision a world where real and virtual objects merge seamlessly, and how VR creates a completely alternative reality altogether. You now understand how the early dreams of delving into completely virtual or augmented realities transformed into bold actions and how XR development was and still is far from a straightforward path. You learned about Unity, from its humble beginnings to its worldwide dominance in game development, simulations, and XR development, looking at some state-of-the-art use cases. The following chapter will familiarize you with the Unity Hub and Editor. You will learn how to import assets, create materials, and acquire all the other skills you need before you can start developing your first XR experience.

Left arrow icon Right arrow icon
Download code icon Download Code

Key benefits

  • Create impressive XR projects without the need to own expensive VR headsets
  • Explore Unity XR features and techniques such as hand-tracking and plane detection using the XR Interaction Toolkit and AR Foundation
  • Bring your XR projects to life with step-by-step explanations along with practical examples
  • Purchase of the print or Kindle book includes a free PDF eBook

Description

The drastic surge in the demand for XR development has led to an imminent need for comprehensive resources, learning material, and overall know-how in this area. This one-stop resource will ensure that professionals venturing into XR development can access all XR-related techniques to build appealing XR applications, without relying on Google every step of the way. This book is your guide to developing XR applications with Unity 2021.3 or later versions, helping you to create VR, AR, and MR experiences of increasing complexity. The chapters cover the entire XR application development process from setting up an interactive XR scene using the XR Interaction Toolkit or AR Foundation, adding physics, animations, continuous movement, teleportation, sound effects, and visual effects, to testing and deploying to VR headsets, simulators, smartphones, and tablets. Additionally, this XR book takes you on a journey from the basics of Unity and C# to advanced techniques such as building multiplayer applications and incorporating hand- and gaze-tracking capabilities. By the end of this book, you'll be fully equipped to create cutting-edge XR projects for engaging individual, academic, and industrial use cases that captivate your audience.

Who is this book for?

This book is for students, developers, researchers, and professionals with a background in computer science. Business analysts, PMs, and other management professionals and executives will also benefit from this book. If you have basic knowledge of programming and are looking to gain expertise in creating virtual reality and augmented reality applications in Unity, then this book is for you. While having experience as a VR game player with basic programming knowledge can enhance your understanding of the content, it is not a prerequisite.

What you will learn

  • Get started with Unity by building your own 3D project
  • Explore the XR Interaction Toolkit and AR Foundation, as well as test XR applications on your PC
  • Find out how to deploy XR projects on different platforms
  • Build interactive XR apps with increasing degrees of complexity by leveraging C# scripting
  • Create a fully immersive VR drum scene by using Unity's audio and particle systems
  • Add advanced XR techniques such as hand-tracking, gaze-tracking, and multiplayer capabilities to your XR apps

Product Details

Country selected
Publication date, Length, Edition, Language, ISBN-13
Publication date : Nov 30, 2023
Length: 284 pages
Edition : 1st
Language : English
ISBN-13 : 9781805120049
Languages :
Concepts :
Tools :

What do you get with eBook?

Product feature icon Instant access to your Digital eBook purchase
Product feature icon Download this book in EPUB and PDF formats
Product feature icon Access this title in our online reader with advanced features
Product feature icon DRM FREE - Read whenever, wherever and however you want
Product feature icon AI Assistant (beta) to help accelerate your learning
OR
Modal Close icon
Payment Processing...
tick Completed

Billing Address

Product Details

Publication date : Nov 30, 2023
Length: 284 pages
Edition : 1st
Language : English
ISBN-13 : 9781805120049
Languages :
Concepts :
Tools :

Packt Subscriptions

See our plans and pricing
Modal Close icon
€18.99 billed monthly
Feature tick icon Unlimited access to Packt's library of 7,000+ practical books and videos
Feature tick icon Constantly refreshed with 50+ new titles a month
Feature tick icon Exclusive Early access to books as they're written
Feature tick icon Solve problems while you work with advanced search and reference features
Feature tick icon Offline reading on the mobile app
Feature tick icon Simple pricing, no contract
€189.99 billed annually
Feature tick icon Unlimited access to Packt's library of 7,000+ practical books and videos
Feature tick icon Constantly refreshed with 50+ new titles a month
Feature tick icon Exclusive Early access to books as they're written
Feature tick icon Solve problems while you work with advanced search and reference features
Feature tick icon Offline reading on the mobile app
Feature tick icon Choose a DRM-free eBook or Video every month to keep
Feature tick icon PLUS own as many other DRM-free eBooks or Videos as you like for just €5 each
Feature tick icon Exclusive print discounts
€264.99 billed in 18 months
Feature tick icon Unlimited access to Packt's library of 7,000+ practical books and videos
Feature tick icon Constantly refreshed with 50+ new titles a month
Feature tick icon Exclusive Early access to books as they're written
Feature tick icon Solve problems while you work with advanced search and reference features
Feature tick icon Offline reading on the mobile app
Feature tick icon Choose a DRM-free eBook or Video every month to keep
Feature tick icon PLUS own as many other DRM-free eBooks or Videos as you like for just €5 each
Feature tick icon Exclusive print discounts

Frequently bought together


Stars icon
Total 110.97
Enhancing Virtual Reality Experiences with Unity 2022
€44.99
XR Development with Unity
€27.99
Unity Cookbook
€37.99
Total 110.97 Stars icon
Banner background image

Table of Contents

14 Chapters
Part 1 – Understanding the Basics of XR and Unity Chevron down icon Chevron up icon
Chapter 1: Introduction to XR and Unity Chevron down icon Chevron up icon
Chapter 2: The Unity Editor and Scene Creation Chevron down icon Chevron up icon
Part 2 – Interactive XR Applications with Custom Logic, Animations, Physics, Sound, and Visual Effects Chevron down icon Chevron up icon
Chapter 3: VR Development in Unity Chevron down icon Chevron up icon
Chapter 4: AR Development in Unity Chevron down icon Chevron up icon
Chapter 5: Building Interactive VR Experiences Chevron down icon Chevron up icon
Chapter 6: Building Interactive AR Experiences Chevron down icon Chevron up icon
Chapter 7: Adding Sound and Visual Effects Chevron down icon Chevron up icon
Part 3 – Advanced XR Techniques: Hand-Tracking, Gaze-Tracking, and Multiplayer Capabilities Chevron down icon Chevron up icon
Chapter 8: Building Advanced XR Techniques Chevron down icon Chevron up icon
Chapter 9: Best Practices and Future Trends in XR Development Chevron down icon Chevron up icon
Index Chevron down icon Chevron up icon
Other Books You May Enjoy Chevron down icon Chevron up icon

Customer reviews

Top Reviews
Rating distribution
Full star icon Full star icon Full star icon Full star icon Half star icon 4.8
(22 Ratings)
5 star 90.9%
4 star 4.5%
3 star 0%
2 star 4.5%
1 star 0%
Filter icon Filter
Top Reviews

Filter reviews by




Harry Hirsch Jul 04, 2024
Full star icon Full star icon Full star icon Full star icon Full star icon 5
To me it is an extremely good book, it has been copyread by serious people. I am still in the midst of it, struggling to get everything working, but this very well be due to me, most probably. I am also fairly new to Unity, though it looks a lot like Blender. The book is very modern, so you need to have a computer with graphic card, a Meta quest, and maybe more. Managed to get modernized by buying new equipment. Am really looking forward working through the book and get the examples working. The book uses one specific version of the XR interaction toolkit and warns you to stick to it, while there have been updates in just a few month and you get all kind of warnings.
Feefo Verified review Feefo
Christine Dec 07, 2023
Full star icon Full star icon Full star icon Full star icon Full star icon 5
This book is ideal for beginners and those seeking insights into XR's different forms (VR, AR, and MR) in order to make informed decisions about their particular focus. It provides step-by-step guidance to start projects, thoroughly navigating the Unity Editor. The detailed coverage of computer technical requirements is uniquely helpful for newcomers. Even if coding isn't your forte, the book explains how to incorporate interactivity into VR scenes using both code-dependent and code-free methods in Unity. I appreciate how it touches on hand- and gaze-tracking, along with multiplayer VR. The inclusion of practical projects like the VR drum scene offer valuable hands-on learning, especially in implementing specific aspects like sound within experiences.
Amazon Verified review Amazon
Melina Nov 30, 2023
Full star icon Full star icon Full star icon Full star icon Full star icon 5
Absolutely blown away by 'XR Development with Unity'! As a beginner in XR, I found the step-by-step tutorials incredibly helpful. It's like having a personal mentor guiding you through Unity. The sections on hand-tracking and plane detection are game-changers. Highly recommend!
Amazon Verified review Amazon
KC Dec 04, 2023
Full star icon Full star icon Full star icon Full star icon Full star icon 5
'XR Development with Unity' is an expertly designed handbook that is a must-have for anyone going into the world of Extended Reality (XR) using Unity. The book's thorough coverage of the most recent XR technologies — including Virtual Reality (VR), Augmented Reality (AR), and Mixed Reality (MR) — making it an important resource for both novice and expert developers. Its thorough examination of Unity's features, combined with practical examples, gives readers a thorough understanding of XR application development. The writers, Anna Braun and Raffael Rizzo, use their significant experience to deliver complicated topics in a clear and understandable manner, guaranteeing users with the knowledge and abilities needed to create immersive and interactive XR apps. The book's systematic method offers a smooth learning curve, from fundamental Unity setup to advanced XR techniques. Furthermore, the incorporation of real-world applications and future trends in XR strengthens the learning experience, transforming 'XR Development with Unity' into more than just an instructional tool, but a foresight into the future of XR technology.
Amazon Verified review Amazon
Andrea Cubeddu Nov 30, 2023
Full star icon Full star icon Full star icon Full star icon Full star icon 5
The book covers everything from basics to advanced techniques. The multiplayer integration part was particularly enlightening. It's not just a book, but a comprehensive toolkit for anyone serious about XR development in Unity
Amazon Verified review Amazon
Get free access to Packt library with over 7500+ books and video courses for 7 days!
Start Free Trial

FAQs

How do I buy and download an eBook? Chevron down icon Chevron up icon

Where there is an eBook version of a title available, you can buy it from the book details for that title. Add either the standalone eBook or the eBook and print book bundle to your shopping cart. Your eBook will show in your cart as a product on its own. After completing checkout and payment in the normal way, you will receive your receipt on the screen containing a link to a personalised PDF download file. This link will remain active for 30 days. You can download backup copies of the file by logging in to your account at any time.

If you already have Adobe reader installed, then clicking on the link will download and open the PDF file directly. If you don't, then save the PDF file on your machine and download the Reader to view it.

Please Note: Packt eBooks are non-returnable and non-refundable.

Packt eBook and Licensing When you buy an eBook from Packt Publishing, completing your purchase means you accept the terms of our licence agreement. Please read the full text of the agreement. In it we have tried to balance the need for the ebook to be usable for you the reader with our needs to protect the rights of us as Publishers and of our authors. In summary, the agreement says:

  • You may make copies of your eBook for your own use onto any machine
  • You may not pass copies of the eBook on to anyone else
How can I make a purchase on your website? Chevron down icon Chevron up icon

If you want to purchase a video course, eBook or Bundle (Print+eBook) please follow below steps:

  1. Register on our website using your email address and the password.
  2. Search for the title by name or ISBN using the search option.
  3. Select the title you want to purchase.
  4. Choose the format you wish to purchase the title in; if you order the Print Book, you get a free eBook copy of the same title. 
  5. Proceed with the checkout process (payment to be made using Credit Card, Debit Cart, or PayPal)
Where can I access support around an eBook? Chevron down icon Chevron up icon
  • If you experience a problem with using or installing Adobe Reader, the contact Adobe directly.
  • To view the errata for the book, see www.packtpub.com/support and view the pages for the title you have.
  • To view your account details or to download a new copy of the book go to www.packtpub.com/account
  • To contact us directly if a problem is not resolved, use www.packtpub.com/contact-us
What eBook formats do Packt support? Chevron down icon Chevron up icon

Our eBooks are currently available in a variety of formats such as PDF and ePubs. In the future, this may well change with trends and development in technology, but please note that our PDFs are not Adobe eBook Reader format, which has greater restrictions on security.

You will need to use Adobe Reader v9 or later in order to read Packt's PDF eBooks.

What are the benefits of eBooks? Chevron down icon Chevron up icon
  • You can get the information you need immediately
  • You can easily take them with you on a laptop
  • You can download them an unlimited number of times
  • You can print them out
  • They are copy-paste enabled
  • They are searchable
  • There is no password protection
  • They are lower price than print
  • They save resources and space
What is an eBook? Chevron down icon Chevron up icon

Packt eBooks are a complete electronic version of the print edition, available in PDF and ePub formats. Every piece of content down to the page numbering is the same. Because we save the costs of printing and shipping the book to you, we are able to offer eBooks at a lower cost than print editions.

When you have purchased an eBook, simply login to your account and click on the link in Your Download Area. We recommend you saving the file to your hard drive before opening it.

For optimal viewing of our eBooks, we recommend you download and install the free Adobe Reader version 9.