What should I learn to build side-projects in AR or VR?

Question

I am a junior web developer that likes to create side-projects. I am interested now in building something in VR, maybe AR if it&rsquo;s easier (is it?).I am not interested in getting a job on Facebook or anywhere, nor founding my own ambitious startup. I just want to build simple things that I like to use.I have zero knowledge of the space. I just started googling about it and thought that maybe HN knows better.What&rsquo;s the easiest way to build something simple in VR or AR?

terrycody · Accepted Answer

Nowadays, 99% games are based on a game engine, so you have to choose a game engine like Unity, Unreal, and I suggest you choose Unity since its easier, and many people already built VR/AR projects with it, you can check on Youtube, tons of tutorials there.
Then you need get familiar with the Unity, and its language, then maybe follow a good step by step course, learn how to tackle each obstacle you will face later, if stuck somewhere, ask questions, learn maths or how to solve them, then publish your 1st game on App Store.
Good luck

dcminter · Answer

Can I suggest WebXR [0] and one of the popular Javascript frameworks like Three [1] or Babylon [2]?
The learning curve is a bit kinder and you will likely find some of the skills transferrable if you decide to switch to something beefier later.
Note: I'm no VR adept either, but I've enjoyed a little tinkering via this route.
[0] https://immersive-web.github.io/webxr-samples/
[1] https://threejs.org/
[2] https://www.babylonjs.com/

giantg2 · Answer

Unity might be helpful. I think Microsoft has some hololens tutorials utilizing that.

m33k44 · Answer

If you are a web-developer, then A-frame framework is the easiest route.BTW, where are you based?

accept-apply · Answer

Unreal Engine is fairly easy to get started with, and has VR support.