Creating Virtual Reality (VR) Apps from edX

Build professional VR apps using Unity 3D, a powerful cross-platform 3D engine that provides a user-friendly development environment. In this course, part of the Virtual Reality Professional Certificate program, you will learn how to build a VR engine from the ground up, so you fully understand the entire rendering pipeline from 3D model to pixels in the VR display. We will also cover motion prediction, 3D stereo, lens distortion, time warp and other optimizations for a fluid, realistic VR experience.

You will also learn how to implement the most important VR interaction concepts such as selection, manipulation, travel, wayfinding, menus, and text input in Unity.

Unity is a GUI based programming environment, in which much of the programming can be done through dialog windows. It also supports scripts written in C#, which as we will show will allow for more complex VR functionality.

What you learn about VR programming in this course will help you write VR games, architectural walkthroughs, engineering simulations, 3D data viewers, medical training applications, and many more.

What you'll learn

Develop professional VR apps using Unity 3D
Run Unity 3D applications in VR on a smartphone
Create a 3D environment from scratch in game engines
Select and manipulate objects with various input types
Move around a 3D world using unique locomotion methods
Create intuitive 3D menus to control applications
Design unique methods of 3D interaction
Input alphanumeric information, such as text and numbers, in VR
Build tools to help users navigate 3D environments
Learn key usability goals and pitfalls for Virtual Reality

What's inside

Learning objectives

Develop professional vr apps using unity 3d
Run unity 3d applications in vr on a smartphone
Create a 3d environment from scratch in game engines
Select and manipulate objects with various input types
Move around a 3d world using unique locomotion methods

Create intuitive 3d menus to control applications
Design unique methods of 3d interaction
Input alphanumeric information, such as text and numbers, in vr
Build tools to help users navigate 3d environments
Learn key usability goals and pitfalls for virtual reality

Develop professional vr apps using unity 3d
Run unity 3d applications in vr on a smartphone
Create a 3d environment from scratch in game engines
Select and manipulate objects with various input types
Move around a 3d world using unique locomotion methods
Create intuitive 3d menus to control applications
Design unique methods of 3d interaction
Input alphanumeric information, such as text and numbers, in vr
Build tools to help users navigate 3d environments
Learn key usability goals and pitfalls for virtual reality

Syllabus

Week 1:VR and Game Engines

Week 2:Physics and Gaze Interaction

Week 3:3D UI and Locomotion

Week 4:3D User Interaction

Week 5:Wayfinding and VR Input

Week 6:Testing and Special Topics

Good to know

Know what's good

, what to watch for

, and possible dealbreakers

Explores Unity 3D, which is standard in the VR development industry

Taught by Jurgen P. Schulze, who is recognized for their work in VR

Builds a strong foundation for beginners in VR programming

Develops industry-ready VR apps in Unity 3D

Examines key usability goals and pitfalls for Virtual Reality, which is highly relevant in the field

Covers a comprehensive range of VR interaction concepts

Uses Unity's GUI-based programming environment, making it accessible to learners with various experience levels

Includes hands-on labs and interactive materials

Belongs to the Virtual Reality Professional Certificate program, indicating comprehensiveness and detail

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 Creating Virtual Reality (VR) Apps with these activities:

Practice 3D modeling in a software package of your choice

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Improve your ability to create 3D models, which will be essential for building VR environments in Unity.

Browse courses on 3D Modeling

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Choose a 3D modeling software package.
Follow tutorials or online courses to learn the basics of the software.
Practice creating simple 3D models.

Review Unity and C#

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Review the basics of game development concepts including game physics & scripting before starting the course.

Browse courses on Unity

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Identify the basic principles of game physics such as velocity, gravity, and collision detection.
Understand the basics of game programming and the Unity interface.
Install Unity on your computer.

Follow Unity's beginner tutorials

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Build a strong foundation in Unity by completing Unity's official beginner tutorials.

Browse courses on Unity

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Go to Unity's website and find the beginner tutorials.
Complete the tutorials in order, starting with the first one.
Follow the instructions carefully and complete all the exercises.

Ten other activities

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Show all 13 activities

Review 'Unity 3D Game Development by Example'

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Get a solid foundation in Unity by reading through an industry-leading book.

View Unity in Action, Third Edition: Multiplatform... on Amazon

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Buy and download the book.
Read the first three chapters to learn the basics of the Unity interface and development environment.
Work through the exercises at the end of each chapter.

Attend a local Unity meetup

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Connect with other Unity developers and learn from their experiences.

Browse courses on Unity

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Find a local Unity meetup group.
Attend a meetup and introduce yourself to other attendees.
Participate in discussions and ask questions.

Create a VR Scene in Unity

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Follow a tutorial to build a VR scene in Unity using the basics of creating 3D environments, importing assets, and adding interactivity.

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Go through a tutorial to create a basic VR scene in Unity.
Experiment with different ways to create 3D environments.
Learn how to import assets and add interactivity to your scene.
Seek guidance from a course instructor if you encounter difficulties.

Practice writing C# scripts for Unity

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Improve your C# scripting skills by completing coding challenges.

Browse courses on Unity

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Find online coding challenges or exercises for C#.
Attempt to solve the challenges on your own.
Check your solutions against the provided answers.

Practice creating VR applications in Unity 3D

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Build a strong foundation in Unity 3D and practice creating VR applications to improve your skills.

Browse courses on Unity 3D

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Create a new VR project in Unity 3D.
Configure the VR settings for your project.
Create a virtual environment with 3D models.
Implement VR interactions, such as selection and manipulation.
Test and iterate on your VR application.

Build a simple 3D game in Unity

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Solidify your understanding of Unity by building a simple 3D game from scratch.

Browse courses on Unity

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Choose a simple game idea to work on.
Create a new Unity project and set up the scene.
Add game objects, components, and scripts to your scene.
Test your game and iterate until it's complete.

Write a blog post about your experience with Unity

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Share your knowledge and solidify your understanding by writing a blog post about your experience with Unity.

Browse courses on Unity

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Choose a topic to write about.
Write a blog post about the topic, sharing your insights and experiences.
Publish your blog post online.

Contribute to an open-source Unity project

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Gain practical experience and contribute to the Unity community by working on an open-source project.

Browse courses on Unity

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Find an open-source Unity project to contribute to.
Fork the project and make changes to the code.
Submit a pull request with your changes.

VR Collaboration and Q&A

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Engage with peers to discuss ideas, share knowledge, and seek help with VR development challenges.

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Find a study buddy or join a VR development community.
Participate in online forums or meetups to connect with other VR enthusiasts.
Collaborate on VR projects or engage in group discussions to enhance understanding.

VR Portfolio Project

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Demonstrate your VR development skills by creating a portfolio project to showcase your abilities and creativity.

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Ideate and design your VR portfolio project.
Develop a prototype to test your concept and gather feedback.
Create high-quality VR content, including 3D models, textures, and sound effects.
Integrate user interaction and immersive experiences into your project.
Present your finished VR portfolio project to potential employers or clients.

Career center

Learners who complete Creating Virtual Reality (VR) Apps will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers:

Software Engineer

Software Engineers work collaboratively to create the software programs that are used by society. For the creation of VR applications, Software Engineers play a major role. VR applications are a new type of software program that simulate real-world scenarios to deliver immersive experiences. The combination of the technical knowledge that one learns to build VR applications from this course and the actual experience of creating VR apps in Unity 3D can help you land a job as a Software Engineer in the VR industry.

See salaries and explore the career path for Software Engineer

Video Game Designer

Video Game Designers are responsible for the development of video games, from concept to completion. With the increasing popularity of VR technology, there is a growing need for Video Game Designers who can create engaging and immersive VR experiences. This course teaches you the fundamentals of VR application development using Unity 3D, which is an industry-leading game engine used to create VR/AR experiences. Learning Unity 3D through this course will help you gain valuable practical experience and build a great foundation for a career as a Video Game Designer in the VR industry.

See salaries and explore the career path for Video Game Designer

Computer Animator

Computer Animators use specialized software to create animations for a variety of purposes, including movies, video games, and online content. VR applications often require the use of animations to create realistic and immersive environments. This course will help you develop the skills needed to create animations for VR using Unity 3D, a popular game engine used for the development of VR experiences. With this course's learning, you can become a highly sought-after Computer Animator in the VR/AR industry.

See salaries and explore the career path for Computer Animator

Multimedia Artist

Multimedia Artists are responsible for creating visual content for a variety of media, including websites, videos, and VR applications. This course teaches you the basics of creating 3D models and environments in Unity 3D, which is widely used for VR application development. With the skills gained from this course, you can create interactive and engaging VR experiences and become a valuable Multimedia Artist in the VR/AR industry.

See salaries and explore the career path for Multimedia Artist

User Experience (UX) Designer

UX Designers focus on creating user interfaces (UIs) that are both visually appealing and easy to use. With VR becoming more popular, UX Designers will be in high demand to create UIs for VR applications that are accessible and user-friendly. This course teaches you the fundamentals of 3D UI design in Unity 3D, a leading game engine for VR development. Gaining knowledge and hands-on experience with Unity 3D through this course can be an excellent starting point in becoming a UX Designer for VR/AR experiences.

See salaries and explore the career path for User Experience (UX) Designer

Technical Artist

Technical Artists are responsible for creating and managing the technical aspects of 3D models, environments, and animations. VR applications require a high level of technical expertise to ensure that the visuals and interactions are realistic and immersive. This course provides a solid foundation in VR application development with Unity 3D, a popular 3D game engine used in VR development. Completing this course can help you stand out and become a proficient Technical Artist in the VR industry.

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Simulation Engineer

Simulation Engineers develop and use computer simulations to model and analyze real-world systems. VR technology has emerged as a powerful tool in the field of engineering simulation, enabling engineers to create realistic and immersive simulations for various industries. This course teaches you the basics of VR simulation development using Unity 3D. By learning Unity 3D and VR application development through this course, you can gain a competitive advantage and become a sought-after Simulation Engineer in VR/AR engineering.

See salaries and explore the career path for Simulation Engineer

Web Developer

Web Developers design and develop websites and web applications. By learning Unity 3D and VR development with this course, you can expand your skills and become a highly versatile Web Developer in the emerging field of VR/AR web applications. With the integration of VR into the web, developers with knowledge of both web development and Unity 3D are in great demand to create immersive and interactive web experiences.

See salaries and explore the career path for Web Developer

Game Developer

Game Developers design and develop video games for various platforms, including VR. Unity 3D is one of the leading game engines used in VR game development. Acquiring the knowledge and practical experience in VR game development with Unity 3D through this course can open up new opportunities and provide you with a strong foundation for a successful career as a Game Developer specializing in VR.

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Data Scientist

Data Scientists are professionals who use data to solve problems and make informed decisions. VR technology has the potential to revolutionize the way data is collected, analyzed, and visualized. By learning the basics of VR development with Unity 3D, you can gain a competitive edge as a Data Scientist. This course can provide you with the necessary knowledge and skills to develop VR applications for data visualization, analysis, and exploration.

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Architect

Architects design and oversee the construction of buildings and other structures. VR technology is increasingly being used by architects to create immersive and interactive models of buildings and environments. This course teaches you the basics of VR application development with Unity 3D, a popular game engine used for VR/AR development. By learning Unity 3D and VR development with this course, you can expand your skills and become a highly versatile Architect in the emerging field of VR/AR architecture.

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Product Designer

Product Designers use their understanding of user needs and behaviors to create products that are both useful and desirable. VR technology is providing new opportunities for Product Designers to create immersive and interactive product experiences. This course provides a solid foundation in VR application development using Unity 3D. Gaining knowledge and hands-on experience with Unity 3D through this course can help you stand out and become a proficient Product Designer in the VR/AR industry.

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Industrial Designer

Industrial Designers combine art, engineering, and human factors to design products that are both functional and visually appealing. VR technology is transforming the way industrial designers create and evaluate product designs. This course teaches you the basics of VR application development with Unity 3D. By learning Unity 3D and VR development with this course, you can expand your skills and become a highly versatile Industrial Designer in the emerging field of VR/AR product design.

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Motion Graphics Artist

Motion Graphics Artists create visual effects and animations for a variety of purposes, including film, television, and advertising. VR technology is creating new opportunities for Motion Graphics Artists to create immersive and interactive experiences. This course provides a solid foundation in VR application development with Unity 3D. Gaining knowledge and hands-on experience with Unity 3D through this course can help you stand out and become a proficient Motion Graphics Artist in the VR/AR industry.

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Audio Engineer

Audio Engineers design and produce sound for a variety of purposes, including music, film, and video games. VR technology is creating new opportunities for Audio Engineers to create immersive and interactive audio experiences. This course provides a solid foundation in VR application development using Unity 3D. Gaining knowledge and hands-on experience with Unity 3D through this course can help you stand out and become a proficient Audio Engineer in the VR/AR industry.

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