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Michael Nebeling

This third course in the XR for Everybody specialization is geared toward the technical development of XR experiences. The course provides learners with a more technical mental model of XR technologies and the tools to approach XR development with confidence. It walks through the stages of development for both VR and AR projects, introducing the main XR development platforms as well as the key methods and tools. This third course also helps learners infer advanced XR requirements from physical/digital prototypes and teaches them how to differentiate major technical concerns, estimate development costs, and plan research necessary to advance XR.

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This third course in the XR for Everybody specialization is geared toward the technical development of XR experiences. The course provides learners with a more technical mental model of XR technologies and the tools to approach XR development with confidence. It walks through the stages of development for both VR and AR projects, introducing the main XR development platforms as well as the key methods and tools. This third course also helps learners infer advanced XR requirements from physical/digital prototypes and teaches them how to differentiate major technical concerns, estimate development costs, and plan research necessary to advance XR.

This course also has an honors track that guides learners in the implementation of 3D, VR, and AR scenes in WebXR using A-Frame and in Unity, and helps them generate a development plan with clear milestones and deliverables.

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What's inside

Syllabus

XR Development Approaches
This first module will cover three main approaches to XR development: WebXR, Unity, and Unreal. Each approach requires different development tools, programming languages, and technical skills. They also differ in the fidelity and quality that can be achieved and in how many devices and users can be reached with each. In addition to getting a fundamental overview of XR development platforms and tools, a main goal this week is to make the jump from 2D to 3D: many of our learners will be familiar with web and mobile development, but 3D development is quite different. In the honors track, I will guide you through the creation of your first 3D scene using WebXR, Unity, or Unreal. I will also provide first steps instructions in each of them, allowing you to analyze and compare before choosing your approach and tools.
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Developing VR Applications
This second module will focus on the development of VR applications. We will learn what it takes to create a virtual reality, about menus and navigation techniques in VR, as well as object selection and manipulation. I’ll share various examples that I have implemented using WebXR to illustrate the concepts. I will also cover approaches in Unity and Unreal. You will also see me give demos directly in VR to better understand how navigation and interactions work in VR. Many of the lessons are rooted in a VR design case study inspired by the Detroit Zoo, which my student Kara Dailey and I created specifically for this XR MOOC. In the honors track, I will guide you through the creation of your first VR scene using A-Frame, Unity, or Unreal. And, I will provide more hands-on lectures on how to create basic and immersive VR scenes with WebXR using A-Frame.
Developing AR Applications
This third module will focus on the development of AR applications. We will learn about marker-based and marker-less approaches to augmenting the environment, about the design and role of markers for prototyping and deployment, and about the differences to marker-less AR. Again, I’ll share various examples that I have implemented using WebXR to illustrate the concepts. I will also cover approaches in Unity and Unreal. We will also learn about the differences in design between hand-held and head-worn AR. Many of the lessons are rooted in an AR design case study bringing Kepler’s Laws of Planetary Motion, which my student Shwetha Rajaram and I created in an independent study project. In the honors track, I will guide you through the creation of your first AR scene using A-Frame, Unity, or Unreal. And, I will provide more hands-on lectures on how to create marker-based and marker-less AR scenes with WebXR using A-Frame.
Special Topics in XR
This fourth and final module will broaden the scope of this course by introducing you to advanced techniques and also research in XR. In terms of advanced techniques, we will learn about procedural generation, redirected walking, and custom controllers for VR. I will also cover 3D reconstruction, object recognition, and custom displays for AR. I will include examples from recent research. We will also go over important topics such as accessibility, collaboration, personalization of XR experiences. These topics are receiving increased attention in current research and will significantly shape the XR landscape in the next five to ten years. I will also give a lecture on XR research, where I’ll use one of our recent research projects and present the many iterations through which it went based on user and system performance evaluations. I will also talk about good and bad research questions, which mostly has to do with scoping and how far you want to push the envelope. Finally, I will share my Making of the XR MOOC through which I hope to share some of the techniques I’ve employed in giving, recording, and sharing demos with AR/VR technologies. In the honors track, we will conclude our projects with a peer review of 3D, VR, or AR scenes.

Good to know

Know what's good
, what to watch for
, and possible dealbreakers
Explores theory and techniques highly relevant to XR industry
Teaches advanced techniques in XR, which are not covered in many other courses
Offers an honors track, which provides additional guidance and hands-on learning opportunities
Uses a variety of media, including videos, readings, and discussions, to enhance learning
Covers unique perspectives and ideas in XR, which may add color to other topics and subjects

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Reviews summary

Well-received xr development course

Learners say that this is a largely positive course for learning about XR development. They recommend it to anyone who wants to build a solid foundation in XR. The course covers a variety of topics, including UX principles, A-frame development, and industry insights. The course has a lot of resources available to students, and the instructor is knowledgeable and enthusiastic. However, some learners caution that the course is better suited for those with a background in programming or 3D animation.
Knowledgeable and enthusiastic instructor.
"Dr. Michael Nebeling and his research team did an excellent job of putting together this XR MOOC"
"Delivered in a fun, knowledgeable and enthusiastic manner, this was a terrific learning experience."
Opportunities to practice XR development with honors track.
"Very hands on!"
"I learnt a great deal from the example of others"
"The takeaways from the course are how unique and curious how to develop XR while designing one ideally."
Good coverage of XR concepts, principles, and toolkits.
"Covers all topics."
"Good coverage of softwares and toolkits."
"It is the best extended reality course."
Course focuses primarily on A-frame development, with limited coverage of Unity and Unreal.
"This course name is a clickbait. The instructor only teaches you how to develop on a-frame."
"50% of the time, he discusses UX principles in AR/VR/MR. 50% of the time, he discusses how to develop AR/VR/MR using A-frame."
"he does not even discuss Unity's Package Manager, XR-Plug Manager, pairing Vuforia's licenses to Unity, downloading and uploading the vuforia database to Unity, Seed XR Bindings, and AR Foundation's AR Session Origin and Trackable Planes and so much more!!"
May be challenging for learners without programming or 3D animation background.
"This course is mostly lectures on principles and concept and brief lectures using A-frame, but if you don't have background on A-frame or if you are not from Web Dev background it will be difficult to grasp."
"I think a good way to support people that don't have this background is by adding more text-based tutorials on how to carry out some of the exercises at learner's own pace, then the learner will be able to complete the honors track exercises in better way."

Activities

Be better prepared before your course. Deepen your understanding during and after it. Supplement your coursework and achieve mastery of the topics covered in Developing AR/VR/MR/XR Apps with WebXR, Unity & Unreal with these activities:
Review 3D rendering software
3D rendering is a key skill required to build XR applications.
Show steps
  • Identify which 3D rendering software to use for your XR project.
  • Download and install the 3D rendering software.
  • Complete introductory tutorials on the software.
  • Experiment with the software by creating simple 3D objects.
Build a simple VR scene
Build a simple VR scene to apply what you've learned about VR development.
Browse courses on VR
Show steps
  • Choose a VR platform and development environment.
  • Create a new VR project.
  • Design the layout and objects of your VR scene.
  • Add interactivity and navigation to your VR scene.
  • Test and iterate on your VR scene.
Follow tutorials on creating AR experiences
Following tutorials will help you develop the skills needed to build AR experiences.
Browse courses on AR
Show steps
  • Identify online tutorials that align with your interests.
  • Follow the tutorials step-by-step.
  • Experiment with the code and concepts presented in the tutorials.
Four other activities
Expand to see all activities and additional details
Show all seven activities
Join a study group for XR development
Joining a study group will provide opportunities to collaborate and learn.
Browse courses on XR
Show steps
  • Identify or form a study group with other students.
  • Establish regular meeting times.
  • Discuss course materials and XR development concepts.
  • Work on projects together.
Create a presentation on XR technology trends
Create a presentation on XR technology trends to synthesize your understanding.
Browse courses on XR
Show steps
  • Research the latest trends in XR technology.
  • Develop an outline for your presentation.
  • Create visual aids and slides for your presentation.
  • Rehearse and practice delivering your presentation.
  • Present your findings to a group.
Attend a workshop on XR user experience design
Attending a workshop will augment your understanding of XR user experience design.
Browse courses on XR
Show steps
  • Find an upcoming workshop on XR user experience design.
  • Register for the workshop.
  • Attend the workshop and actively participate.
  • Apply the knowledge and skills gained in the workshop to your XR projects.
Participate in an XR development competition
Participate in an XR development competition to test and showcase your skills.
Browse courses on XR
Show steps
  • Find an XR development competition to participate in.
  • Form a team.
  • Develop an XR project.
  • Submit your project to the competition.
  • Attend the competition and present your project.

Career center

Learners who complete Developing AR/VR/MR/XR Apps with WebXR, Unity & Unreal will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers:
XR Developer
XR Developers primarily work with virtual reality (VR), augmented reality (AR), and mixed reality (MR). However, many XR Developers are expected to develop for all three mediums in the near future. They use their knowledge of programming, design, and XR devices to develop experiences for users. Some XR Developers work as engineers and designers, and some work in a combined role as an XR Engineer-Designer. This course may be helpful for a career as an XR Developer because it provides learners with a more technical mental model of XR technologies and the tools to approach XR development with confidence.
AR/VR/MR/XR Engineer
AR/VR/MR/XR Engineers design, develop, and maintain augmented reality (AR), virtual reality (VR), mixed reality (MR), and extended reality (XR) software and hardware. This course may be useful for a career as an AR/VR/MR/XR Engineer as it provides learners with a more technical mental model of XR technologies and the tools to approach XR development with confidence.
Web Developer
Web Developers design, develop, and maintain websites and web applications. They use a variety of programming languages and technologies to create websites and web applications that are both functional and visually appealing. This course may be helpful for a career as a Web Developer because it helps learners gain experience with WebXR, a technology that allows for the development of immersive web experiences in augmented reality (AR) and virtual reality (VR).
Game Developer
Game Developers design, develop, and maintain video games. They use a variety of programming languages and technologies to create video games that are both fun and challenging. This course may be helpful for a career as a Game Developer because it introduces learners to the basics of XR development, which is becoming increasingly important in the gaming industry.
Product Manager
Product Managers plan, develop, and launch new products. They work with a variety of stakeholders, including engineers, designers, and marketers, to bring new products to market. This course may be helpful for a career as a Product Manager because it provides learners with experience with XR technologies, which are becoming increasingly important in the development of new products.
Information Technology (IT) Manager
IT Managers plan, implement, and manage information technology systems. They work with a variety of stakeholders, including employees, customers, and vendors, to ensure that IT systems meet the needs of the organization. This course may be helpful for a career as an IT Manager because it provides learners with experience with XR technologies, which are becoming increasingly important in the management of IT systems.
Data Scientist
Data Scientists collect, analyze, and interpret data to help businesses make better decisions. They use a variety of programming languages and technologies to wrangle, clean, and analyze data. This course may be helpful for a career as a Data Scientist because it provides learners with experience with XR technologies, which are becoming increasingly important in the collection and analysis of data.
Instructional Designer
Instructional Designers develop and implement educational programs and materials. They use a variety of instructional design principles and techniques to create programs that are both effective and engaging. This course may be helpful for a career as an Instructional Designer because it provides learners with experience with XR technologies, which are becoming increasingly important in the development of educational programs and materials.
Technical Writer
Technical Writers create and maintain technical documentation, such as user manuals, white papers, and training materials. They use a variety of writing and editing skills to create documentation that is both clear and concise. This course may be helpful for a career as a Technical Writer because it provides learners with experience with XR technologies, which are becoming increasingly important in the development of technical documentation.
UX Designer
UX Designers research, design, and evaluate the user experience of websites, web applications, and other digital products. They use a variety of methods to understand the needs of users and create products that are both usable and enjoyable. This course may be helpful for a career as a UX Designer because it provides learners with experience with XR technologies, which are becoming increasingly important in the design of digital products.
Teacher
Teachers instruct students in a variety of academic subjects. They use a variety of teaching methods to help students learn and grow. This course may be helpful for a career as a Teacher because it provides learners with experience with XR technologies, which are becoming increasingly important in the delivery of instruction.
Computer Scientist
Computer Scientists research, design, and develop computer systems and applications. They use a variety of programming languages and technologies to create new and innovative ways to solve problems. This course may be helpful for a career as a Computer Scientist because it provides learners with experience with XR technologies, which are becoming increasingly important in the development of new computer systems and applications.
Operations Research Analyst
Operations Research Analysts use mathematical and analytical techniques to help businesses solve complex problems. They use a variety of data analysis techniques to identify problems and develop solutions. This course may be helpful for a career as an Operations Research Analyst because it provides learners with experience with XR technologies, which are becoming increasingly important in the collection and analysis of data.
Statistician
Statisticians collect, analyze, and interpret data to help businesses make better decisions. They use a variety of statistical techniques to identify patterns and trends in data. This course may be helpful for a career as a Statistician because it provides learners with experience with XR technologies, which are becoming increasingly important in the collection and analysis of data.
Software Engineer
Software Engineers design, develop, and maintain software systems. They use a variety of programming languages and technologies to create software that is both functional and efficient. This course may be helpful for a career as a Software Engineer because it provides learners with experience with XR technologies, which are becoming increasingly important in the development of software systems.

Reading list

We've selected eight books that we think will supplement your learning. Use these to develop background knowledge, enrich your coursework, and gain a deeper understanding of the topics covered in Developing AR/VR/MR/XR Apps with WebXR, Unity & Unreal.
Targets Unreal Engine, another well-known game engine, and its capabilities in VR development. It offers practical projects and guidance on creating VR experiences using blueprints and C++.
Provides a comprehensive overview of AR technology, covering its principles, techniques, and applications. It offers a solid foundation for understanding the field and exploring its potential.
Covers the fundamentals of VR technology, including hardware, software, applications, and human factors. It offers a broad perspective on the field and its impact on various industries.
Offers a comprehensive overview of the field of VR, including its history, theory, and best practices. It's a great resource for anyone who wants to learn more about the design and development of VR experiences.
Offers an accessible introduction to XR, covering both AR and VR technologies. It provides a high-level overview of the field and its various applications, making it a great starting point for beginners.
Explores the field of mixed reality, which combines the real and virtual worlds to create new and immersive experiences. It covers the history, theory, and best practices of mixed reality design and development.
Provides a comprehensive history of VR, from its early beginnings to its current state. It's a great resource for anyone who wants to learn more about the development of XR.

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