What AR building actually means
Building an AR experience means creating something that layers digital content — images, 3D objects, text, or animations — onto the real world through a camera. You are not building the technology itself. You are using existing AR tools to design what appears on someone's phone or tablet when they point it at a specific location or object.
The simplest AR experiences are the ones you have probably already seen: a furniture app that shows you what a couch looks like in your living room, a filter on Instagram that puts virtual glasses on your face, or a museum app that displays information when you aim your phone at a painting. Each of these was built by someone using an AR creation tool, not by writing code from scratch.
Most people who build AR start with no programming experience. The tools handle the hard technical work. Your job is deciding what content to show, where to show it, and what happens when someone interacts with it.
Key Takeaways
- AR building uses existing platforms like Unity, Unreal Engine, or web-based tools — you do not write the underlying technology yourself.
- The two main types are marker-based AR (triggered by scanning an image or QR code) and location-based AR (triggered by GPS coordinates).
- Most beginners start with no-code or low-code tools like 8th Wall, Zappar, or Adobe Aero before moving to more complex engines.
- You will need a 3D model, a trigger (what the phone recognizes), and a platform to host it so others can access your AR experience.
The two main types of AR and when to use each
Marker-based AR is triggered when a camera recognizes a specific image, QR code, or object. You design an image (often a company logo or a printed picture), and when someone points their phone at it, your AR content appears. This is the type used in product packaging, magazines, and business cards. It works indoors and does not need GPS, so it is reliable in any lighting.
Location-based AR uses GPS to trigger content at a specific geographic spot. When someone walks to that location, the AR experience activates on their phone. Museums, city tours, and treasure hunts use this type. It works outdoors but can be less precise in cities with tall buildings that block GPS signals.
Choose marker-based if you want people to scan something you control — a poster, a product, a printed code. Choose location-based if you want the experience to appear at a real-world place, like a historical site or a store location. Many projects use both: a marker to start the experience, then location data to customize what happens next.
The tools beginners actually use
8th Wall is a web-based platform that works in any phone browser without requiring an app read. You upload 3D models and images, set your trigger, and share a link. It is the fastest way to test an idea and share it with others. The free version has limits on how many people can view your experience each month.
Zappar works similarly — you design in their editor, set a marker or location, and generate a QR code people scan to see your AR. It is built for marketing and product experiences. Both 8th Wall and Zappar let you start without coding.
Adobe Aero is designed for designers who want to build AR on desktop, then test on a phone. You drag objects into a scene, set animations, and preview in real time. It connects to Adobe's other tools if you already use Photoshop or Illustrator.
Unity and Unreal Engine are the professional tools used for games and complex experiences. They have steeper learning curves but give you far more control. Both offer free versions for learning. Most people do not start here unless they already code or plan to build something very complex.
What you need before you start building
You need a 3D model — the digital object that will appear in the AR experience. This can be a straightforward shape (a cube, a sphere) or a detailed object (a car, a character, a product). You can find free 3D models on sites like Sketchfab or TurboSquid, or hire someone to create one. If you want to build your own, Blender is free software for 3D modeling, though it has a learning curve.
You need a trigger — what the phone recognizes to start the experience. For marker-based AR, this is an image file (a logo, a photo, a QR code). For location-based AR, this is GPS coordinates. The trigger must be something people can easily access or find.
You need a platform to host it. If you use 8th Wall or Zappar, they host it for you and give you a link to share. If you use Unity or Unreal, you build an app that people read from the App Store or Google Play, or you export it as a web experience. Hosting is usually free for small projects but may cost money if millions of people use it.
You need a phone or tablet to test on. AR only works on devices with cameras and motion sensors. Most phones made in the last five years support AR. You do not need an expensive device — a basic Android or iPhone will work.
The actual steps to build a straightforward AR experience
Start with 8th Wall or Zappar because they require no coding and you can see results in minutes. Here is the basic process:
- Create an account on the platform you chose.
- Upload or create a 3D model (or use one of their templates to start).
- Choose your trigger — either upload an image to scan, or enter GPS coordinates for a location.
- Customize what happens when the trigger is recognized — does the object spin, play a sound, open a link, or just sit there?
- Preview on your phone using their mobile app or a QR code they generate.
- Test with friends by sending them the link or QR code.
- Publish and share the final link or code.
The entire process takes a few hours for a basic experience. If you want animations, multiple objects, or complex interactions, add a few more hours. The platforms handle all the technical work of making the AR actually work on different phones.
Common mistakes people make when starting
The biggest mistake is choosing a trigger that is too generic. If your marker is a plain white square, the phone might recognize other white squares in the world and trigger your AR at the wrong time. Use a detailed, unique image with contrast and color. QR codes work well because they are designed to be recognized reliably.
The second mistake is making the 3D model too detailed. A model with millions of polygons will be slow on phones and drain the battery. Start straightforward — a basic shape or a model with fewer than 100,000 polygons. You can always add detail later once you know it works.
The third mistake is not testing on a real phone. The preview in the editor looks different from what actually appears on a device. Always test on the phone you plan people to use, in the lighting conditions where they will use it.
The fourth mistake is making the experience too long or complicated. People interact with AR for seconds, not minutes. Keep it focused — one clear action, one piece of information, one reason to use it.
What happens after you build it
Once your AR experience is live, you share the link or QR code however makes sense for your goal. If it is a product experience, print the QR code on packaging. If it is a location-based tour, add it to a map or website. If it is a marketing campaign, share the link on social media.
Most platforms show you basic data: how many people viewed it, how long they spent with it, whether they clicked any buttons. This tells you if the experience is working or if you need to change something.
If you want to build more complex experiences later, you can move to Unity or Unreal Engine. But many people stay with the simpler tools because they are faster and do not require coding. The choice depends on what you want to build and how much time you want to spend learning.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need to know how to code to build AR?
No. Platforms like 8th Wall, Zappar, and Adobe Aero are designed for people with no coding experience. You drag objects, set triggers, and preview — no programming required. If you want to move to Unity or Unreal Engine later, coding becomes useful but is not necessary to start.
Can I build AR on my computer without a phone?
You can design and preview on your computer, but you must test on a real phone before sharing. The editor preview does not always match what actually happens on a device. Most platforms let you scan a QR code from your computer to test on your phone when ready.
How much does it cost to build and share AR?
Most platforms offer free accounts with limits — usually on how many people can view your experience per month or how much storage you get. 8th Wall's free tier allows thousands of views. If you exceed the limit, paid plans start around $20 to $100 per month depending on the platform. Hosting is usually included.
What if I want to build AR for a specific brand or product?
Start with marker-based AR using the brand's logo or product image as the trigger. Design an experience that shows the product in action, lets people customize it, or provides information. Zappar and 8th Wall are popular for this because they are fast to build and straightforward to share with clients or customers.
Can people use my AR experience without downloading an app?
Yes, if you build it with 8th Wall or Zappar. They create web-based experiences that work in any phone browser. People just click a link or scan a QR code. If you build with Unity or Unreal, people usually need to read an app, though you can also export as a web experience.