Google ARCore
Google ARCore is a software development kit that allows you to build augmented reality experiences for Android and iOS devices using motion tracking, environmental understanding, and light estimation.
Primer
Primer is an augmented reality tool for artists and galleries that lets you visualize life-sized artwork on any wall using just an iPhone or iPad to close sales faster.
Quick Comparison
| Feature | Google ARCore | Primer |
|---|---|---|
| Website | developers.google.com | primer-art.com |
| Pricing Model | Free | Subscription |
| Starting Price | Free | $20/month |
| FREE Trial | ✘ No free trial | ✓ 14 days free trial |
| Free Plan | ✓ Has free plan | ✘ No free plan |
| Product Demo | ✓ Request demo here | ✓ Request demo here |
| Deployment | ||
| Integrations | ||
| Target Users | ||
| Target Industries | ||
| Customer Count | 0 | 0 |
| Founded Year | 2018 | 2019 |
| Headquarters | Mountain View, USA | Oakland, USA |
Overview
Google ARCore
Google ARCore is a platform for building augmented reality experiences. It uses your device's camera and sensors to sense its environment, understand the world, and interact with information. You can integrate digital content into the real world through three key capabilities: motion tracking, environmental understanding, and light estimation. These tools allow you to place virtual objects on floors or walls and have them react naturally to the lighting in your room.
You can create immersive applications for billions of users across Android and iOS without needing specialized hardware. Whether you are building a furniture placement app, an interactive game, or an educational tool, the platform provides the foundational technology to make virtual objects feel like they truly belong in your physical space. It supports popular development environments like Unity, Unreal Engine, and Android Studio.
Primer
Primer helps you bridge the gap between digital browsing and physical ownership by letting your clients see exactly how artwork looks in their own space. You can upload your entire portfolio and view pieces at their true scale on any wall using advanced augmented reality. This eliminates the guesswork for collectors and interior designers, helping them feel confident in their purchase decisions without needing physical trials or shipping samples.
You can manage your inventory directly from your mobile device and share immersive previews with your audience. Whether you are an independent artist or a high-end gallery, the platform provides a professional way to showcase work in a real-world context. By integrating these AR previews into your sales process, you reduce the friction of 'will it fit' and focus on the emotional connection of the art.
Overview
Google ARCore Features
- Motion Tracking Track your phone's position relative to the world so virtual objects stay pinned exactly where you place them.
- Environmental Understanding Detect the size and location of flat surfaces like tables or floors to place digital content accurately.
- Light Estimation Adjust the color and brightness of virtual objects to match the real-world lighting for a realistic look.
- Geospatial API Attach 3D content to real-world locations globally using Google Street View data for world-scale AR experiences.
- Depth API Create realistic occlusions so virtual objects can disappear behind real-world furniture or walls in your scene.
- Cloud Anchors Build collaborative AR experiences where multiple people can see and interact with the same digital objects simultaneously.
Primer Features
- Life-Sized Visualization. View your artwork at its exact physical dimensions on any wall to ensure a perfect fit for your clients' spaces.
- Lighting Simulation. Adjust how light interacts with your art in real-time to match the specific ambiance of any room or gallery setting.
- Portfolio Management. Upload and organize your entire collection of paintings or prints in one place for quick access during sales consultations.
- Instant Sharing. Send AR-enabled links to your prospective buyers so they can view the artwork on their own walls from home.
- Frame Customization. Toggle between different framing options and styles to help your clients visualize the finished look of a piece.
- High-Res Textures. Showcase the fine details of your work with high-resolution textures that maintain clarity even when viewing up close in AR.
Pricing Comparison
Google ARCore Pricing
- Full access to ARCore SDK
- Motion tracking & Depth API
- Environmental understanding
- Light estimation tools
- Unity & Unreal integrations
- Android & iOS support
- Everything in Standard, plus:
- Geospatial API access
- Cloud Anchors (persistent)
- Google Cloud Console integration
- Usage-based quotas apply
- Enterprise support options
Primer Pricing
- Up to 50 active artworks
- Unlimited AR views
- Basic lighting controls
- Standard framing options
- Email support
- Mobile app access
- Everything in Standard, plus:
- Unlimited artwork uploads
- Advanced lighting and shadows
- Custom branding options
- Priority customer support
- Analytics and view tracking
Pros & Cons
Google ARCore
Pros
- Completely free to download and use
- Massive reach across billions of devices
- Excellent integration with Unity and Unreal
- Industry-leading depth and occlusion capabilities
- Strong documentation and active developer community
Cons
- Performance varies significantly between different devices
- Requires high-quality camera and sensor hardware
- Limited support for older Android versions
Primer
Pros
- Extremely accurate scaling helps clients visualize size
- Simple interface makes it easy to use during live shows
- High-quality rendering makes art look realistic on walls
- Reduces the need for expensive physical art trials
Cons
- Currently limited to iOS and iPadOS devices only
- Requires high-quality photos for the best AR results
- Subscription cost may be high for emerging artists