Indoor Navigation in AR with Unity and Revit

Summary

In this video, Manu from Ambience introduces a new series called 'Proof of Concept,' focusing on real-time apps for industry. The tutorial demonstrates creating an augmented reality app for indoor navigation using a Revit model combined with Unity. The process involves aligning a 3D model with the real world using the AR Build Template in Unity 2019.4, Explorer 1.3, and AtSync 1.4. The video guides viewers through importing the model, creating a nav mesh, and scripting for navigation. It concludes with a simple test of the app on an iPad, inviting viewers to share ideas for improvement and promising more content in the series.

Takeaways

• 😀 The video presents a tutorial on creating an augmented reality (AR) app for indoor navigation using a Revit model.
• 🛠️ The tutorial utilizes the latest version of Unity, Autodesk's Revit, and the ATX build template version 1.3.
• 🏢 The project uses a Revit model of an office, but any model can be employed for similar purposes.
• 🔄 The process involves aligning the 3D model with the real world using AR and Unity's ATX build template.
• 📱 The tutorial demonstrates how to import the model into Unity and synchronize it using the ATsync plugin.
• 🚪 The video guides viewers on how to search for doors in the model and deactivate them for the project's requirements.
• 📍 The tutorial includes adding markers for AR navigation and creating a nav mesh for pathfinding within the 3D environment.
• 💻 The script used for indoor navigation is showcased, which connects different points in the scene with a line.
• 🎨 The video discusses enhancing the basic script with graphics and interactions, such as using a Line Renderer and adding UI buttons for target selection.
• 📱 The final step is building the app for an iPad, demonstrating the app's functionality on a mobile device.

Q & A

What is the main focus of the video?

The video focuses on creating an augmented reality (AR) app for indoor navigation using a Revit model combined with the latest version of Unity Reflect (previously known as Unity's IT Explorer) and its one-to-one build template.

What series is this video a part of?

This video is the first in a new series called 'Proof of Concept' where the channel shares business ideas for real-time apps that can be built using Unity.

Which version of Unity and Unity Reflect are used in the project?

The project uses Unity 2019.4, Unity Reflect 1.3, and Autodesk's AT Sync 1.4.

What is the purpose of the custom script added in the project?

The custom script is added for the purpose of indoor navigation, allowing users to navigate through a 3D model of an indoor space.

Why are doors deactivated in the project?

Doors are deactivated because they are not needed for the indoor navigation functionality in this particular project.

What is a Nav Mesh and how is it used in the project?

A Nav Mesh is a 3D mesh that can be used by artificial intelligence to move within a level. In the project, it is used to guide a line that leads users to their desired location.

How is the Revit model updated with changes made in the real office?

If changes are made in the real office that are not reflected in the Revit model, such as a new wall, the model can be updated in Revit and then synchronized with Unity to reflect the changes.

What is the basic functionality of the script used for the navigation line?

The basic script connects two different points in the scene with a line, which serves as a visual guide for navigation within the AR app.

How is the navigation line enhanced visually in the app?

The navigation line is visually enhanced by replacing the basic line with a Line Renderer, adding a material to it, and incorporating it into the UI with buttons for different targets.

What is the final step before building the app for an iPad?

The final step before building the app for an iPad is to hide the geometries imported from Revit while using them to ensure the navigation line is hidden behind walls, creating a more realistic and immersive AR experience.

Where can viewers find the full source code for the project?

The full source code for the project can be found in the description of the video.

Outlines

00:00

🛠️ Creating an Augmented Reality App for Indoor Navigation

This video introduces a project to develop an augmented reality (AR) app for indoor navigation using a Revit model. The project utilizes the latest version of Unity, along with the AR Build Template from Unity's Explorer 1.3 and AT Sync 1.4. Manu from Ambience, the presenter, explains that the video is part of a new series called 'Proof of Concept,' which focuses on sharing business ideas for real-time apps. The process involves aligning a 3D model of an office with the real world, adding custom scripts for navigation, and using Unity's AT Sync plugin to synchronize the model. The video also demonstrates how to deactivate unnecessary elements like doors in the model and how to add a navigation mesh for AI to use within the Unity scene.

05:00

🔧 Enhancing the AR App with Graphics and Interactions

In the second paragraph, the video script describes the process of enhancing the AR app with graphics and interactions. After importing the model and noticing a missing wall in the Revit model, the presenter demonstrates how to update the model in Revit and sync it with Unity. A basic script is introduced to connect two points in the scene with a line, which is then visually improved by replacing the basic line with a Line Renderer and adding a material. The script is further enhanced to allow for multiple navigation targets, each with a corresponding UI button. The video concludes with a demonstration of how the navigation line can be hidden behind walls using a shader, and the app is built for an iPad. The presenter invites viewers to share their ideas for improvement in the comments and teases the next episode of the series.

Keywords

💡Augmented Reality (AR)

Augmented Reality (AR) is a technology that overlays digital information or images onto the real world, enhancing the user's perception of reality. In the context of the video, AR is used to create an app for indoor navigation, which combines real-world elements with a digital model to guide users through a building. The script mentions using AR to align a 3D model with the real world, indicating how AR can be utilized for practical applications like navigation.

💡Revit

Revit is a Building Information Modeling (BIM) software used by architects, engineers, and construction professionals to design and manage building projects. In the video, a Revit model of an office is used as the basis for the AR app, demonstrating how BIM software can be integrated with AR technology for practical purposes like indoor navigation.

💡Unity

Unity is a widely-used game engine for creating 3D and 2D video games and interactive experiences. In the script, Unity is mentioned as the platform where the AR app is developed, highlighting its versatility beyond gaming to include applications in AR and other industries.

💡ATX (Autodesk Translation Extension)

ATX, or Autodesk Translation Extension, is a plugin that facilitates the transfer of data between Autodesk software like Revit and Unity. The script refers to using ATX version 1.3 to import a Revit model into Unity, showcasing the importance of such tools in bridging the gap between design and development platforms.

💡AT Sync

AT Sync is a plugin that synchronizes data between Autodesk software and Unity, allowing for real-time updates. The video script mentions using AT Sync 1.4 to keep the Revit model in sync with the Unity project, which is crucial for maintaining consistency between the design and the AR application.

💡Nav Mesh

A Nav Mesh, or navigation mesh, is a data structure used in video games and simulations to enable characters or agents to navigate through a 3D environment. In the video, a Nav Mesh is created in Unity to help guide the user to desired locations within the AR app, illustrating its role in pathfinding and navigation.

💡Line Renderer

A Line Renderer is a component in Unity used to draw lines or curves in 3D space. The script describes replacing a basic line with a Line Renderer to enhance the visual appeal of the navigation line in the AR app, demonstrating how such components can improve the user interface and experience.

💡Shader

A Shader is a program that runs on the GPU to determine how objects in a 3D scene are rendered, including their color, texture, and lighting. The video script briefly mentions using a shader to hide the navigation line behind a wall, indicating how shaders can be used to achieve visual effects and enhance realism in AR applications.

💡UI (User Interface)

UI, or User Interface, refers to the space where interactions between users and a device, or software, occur. In the context of the video, UI elements like buttons are added to the AR app to allow users to select navigation targets, highlighting the importance of intuitive UI design in AR experiences.

💡Proof of Concept

A Proof of Concept (PoC) is a preliminary demonstration of a new idea or product to verify its feasibility. The video series is called 'Proof of Concept,' suggesting that the AR app for indoor navigation is an example of a PoC, aimed at demonstrating the potential of real-time apps in the industry.

Highlights

Introduction of a new series called 'Proof of Concept' focused on real-time apps.

Creating an augmented reality app for indoor navigation using a Revit model.

Utilization of the latest version of Unity, Autodesk's Revit, and the AR Build Template.

Explanation of how to align a 3D model with the real world using AR technology.

Importing a Revit model of an office into Unity for the project.

Using custom scripts for indoor navigation within the app.

Import process using Unity 2019.4, Explorer 1.3, and AT Sync 1.4.

Synchronizing the 3D model from Revit to Unity using the AT Sync plugin.

Deactivating unnecessary elements like doors in the Revit model for the project.

Adding markers in the real office and the AR template for alignment.

Creation of a Nav Mesh in Unity for AI navigation within the app.

Updating the Revit model to include a missing wall and syncing it back to Unity.

Basic script to connect two points in the scene with a navigation line.

Enhancing the script with graphical and interactive elements for user interface.

Hiding Revit geometries while using them for navigation line occlusion behind walls.

Building the app for an iPad to test the indoor navigation functionality.

Invitation for feedback and suggestions to improve the project in the comments.

Announcement of the next episode in the series to be released in a couple of weeks.

Transcripts

in this video we are going to create an

augmented reality app

for indoor navigation using a revit

model combined with the

latest version of it explorer and its

newest one-to-one build template

this is the first video of our new

series called

proof of concept where we share business

ideas for real-time apps

that everyone can build using unity i'm

manu from ambience

and in this channel we talk about

real-time applications

for the industry let's begin

for this project we are going to use a

revit model

of our office that we made some months

ago

but you can use any model you want we

want to align

the this 3d model to the real world

with the ar build template added in

atx version 1.3 then we are going to add

our custom script

for the indoor navigation let's create

the project

i'm going to speed up the import process

here

but we are using unity 2019.4

explorer 1.3 and at sync 1.4

[Music]

[Music]

so

[Music]

[Music]

so

now that the project is ready we can go

to revit with the addition of the atsync

plugin

click export and then go back to unity

and synchronize the 3d model inside the

[Music]

scene

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now we can search for doors and

deactivate them because we don't need

them

actually in this project

[Music]

now let's switch template in et explorer

we need an option available only for the

ar template so we will add the

marker here and then we are going to add

a similar marker in the real office

[Music]

so

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now we need to add a nav mesh the nub

mesh is a 3d

mesh that you can create in unity that

can be used by

artificial intelligence to move inside

the

a level normally the ai is

some video game enemy trying to shoot

you

in this case will be a line that will

take you to the desired location

[Music]

[Music]

actually after importing the model

i noticed that the in the rear in the

revit model there wasn't

a wall added some time before the

creation of the model

but no problem we can switch back to

revit at the wall and then sync the

model to unity

[Music]

[Music]

now that our model is ready and our nav

mesh is baked

let's see the basic script we are going

to use

this script will try to connect two

different points in the scene with the

line

and this is the basic code to do this

we can test it in the editor and as you

can see there's

a red line connecting uh two game

objects

uh we are going to add a bit of graphics

and interactions to this base script

first of all let's substitute the the

bug line

with the line renderer

now let's add a material to the line

renderer

and now with some small addition to the

script

we can add different targets to

the 3d scene and for each of them we are

going to add a button

to the ui to help select one of the

target

let's test it again in the editor and we

are good to go

now what we want is to completely hide

the geometries

imported from revit but at the same time

using them to add

to hide the navigation line behind a

wall

the result is pretty nice considering

that we used

four lines of code of of this shader

now let's open our macbook and build the

app

for our ipad and that's it

[Music]

of course this is a simple test that

needs

graphics and scripting polishing but i

think it's a good starting point um

you can find the full source code in the

description

of this video do you like this project

do you have some ideas to

improve it please share them with us in

the comment section below

the next episode of this series will be

online in

a couple of weeks stay tuned and

subscribe

to the channel so you don't miss it bye

[Music]

bye

[Music]

you