Spatial Anchors
Last updated
Last updated
What are Spatial Anchors?
Spatial Anchors are markers that tether virtual content to specific locations in the physical world. These anchors serve as reference points, allowing Mixed Reality (MR) experiences to remain anchored in a consistent position within the environment. By precisely aligning virtual content with real-world spaces, Spatial Anchors enhance immersion and interaction in MR applications.
Why Use Spatial Anchors?
The use of Spatial Anchors offers several benefits:
Consistency: Ensure that virtual objects persistently appear in the same location, regardless of the user's movements or device.
Contextual Interaction: Seamlessly integrate virtual content into real-world settings, enabling users to interact with digital elements within their physical environment.
Collaborative Experiences: Facilitate shared experiences among multiple users, as Spatial Anchors synchronize virtual content across devices, creating a unified MR environment.
How do they work in multiplayer?
In multiplayer experiences, mixed reality participants share spatial anchors, thereby synchronizing virtual content across all participants. All anchors created by the host are shared with all participants in the multiplayer session. Participants are free to use the same anchor as the host or create their own anchor.
How do I enable spatial anchors?
Spatial anchors are supported on the Meta Quest 2 and 3 headsets. To enable spatial anchors, you will need to enable spatial data sharing for the HyperSkill app. More information on spatial data and how to enable it can be found here.
How do I create an anchor?
When starting a mixed reality experience, you will be prompted to create a spatial anchor.
When creating a spatial anchor, all visible objects will become grabbable and rotatable. You can grab the object to move its position. Moving one object will move all other objects with it, as if they are all connected. Each object will have a set of RGB sphere around it. You can use the spheres to rotate the object along a specific axis. The red sphere rotates along the x-axis. The blue sphere rotates along the z-axis. The green sphere rotates along the y-axis.
Once you've confirmed your anchor, it will be saved for future use. In multiplayer sessions, the spatial anchor will be synchronized across all participants. If you don't want to use the spatial anchor, aren't in the same room as the host of the multiplayer session, or the headset is unable to locate the shared anchor, you will be prompted to create your own anchor. You can create your own anchor or try to re-synchronize with the host of the multiplayer session again. There are no limits on the amount of anchors you can create and share.
