Augmented Reality is an advanced technology that superimposes a computer-generated image on a user’s view of the real world, thus providing a composite view. Normally used on informative applications, AR is a potential and interesting medium to pursue by multimedia enthusiasts.
Here’s a quick walkthrough, on How to bring your CGI Models to life using Augmented Reality and 3D Printing, by Anurag Reddy Head of Technology, Wiztoonz Academy of Media and Design, Bangalore.

The first step was modeling the Character to use as the Augmented Reality Element. Maya was used for modeling using polygonal sculpting techniques.

Once the texture mapping was done, the model was exported as an OBJ.

The model was optimized for 3D Printing and was printed.

3D Printing is any of various processes in which material is joined or solidified under computer control to create a three-dimensional object. The process took 3 hours to complete.

“Augment.com” is an augmented reality SaaS platform that allows users to visualize their products in 3D in a real environment and in real-time through tablets or smartphones.

Our next step in the pipeline was to upload the OBJ to this platform. The database can be later accessed by the Augment App on your phone. And compose an AR Shot with our character on a live scene.

“It was a long-ago dream for me since a student to bring 3D Models into the real world. One thought was to use Augmented Reality and another, by Printing out a 3D Model. Unfortunately, 3D technology was not evolved in India then and printing abroad was too costly. Now as the technology is improving in india and 3D printers being available in Bangalore at affordable prices, we can easily get our models printed. Now with the advanced technology available at our fingertips, we can enjoy the possibilities of augmented reality as well”
— Anurag Reddy.