AR Glossary

A comprehensive dictionary of augmented reality terms for artists and creators.

#A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z

A

Alpha Channel: A specific data channel in an image or video file that handles transparency, allowing the background to be invisible so the subject blends seamlessly over a physical painting.
Augmented Reality: A technology that superimposes digital content (video, sound, 3D models) onto the user's view of the physical world via a screen or headset.

D

Depth API: A feature that allows devices to understand the distance of objects in a scene, enabling virtual objects to be hidden behind real physical objects (occlusion) for realism.

E

Extended Reality: An umbrella term that encompasses all immersive technologies, including Augmented Reality (AR), Virtual Reality (VR), and Mixed Reality (MR).

G

GLB / glTF: The standard file format for 3D models on the web and Android, often referred to as the "JPEG of 3D" due to its balance of quality and small file size.

H

Hand Tracking: A technology that allows the system to detect and track the user's hands, enabling interaction with virtual content using natural gestures instead of controllers.

I

Image Tracking: A method where the AR software recognizes and tracks a specific 2D image (like a painting or mural) to overlay digital content precisely on top of it.

L

Latency: The delay between a user's movement and the system's visual response; low latency is crucial for a smooth, non-jittery AR experience.

M

Marker-based AR: A type of AR that relies on a specific visual cue (a QR code or a specific image) to trigger and position the digital experience.
Mesh: A digital representation of the physical environment created by the device's sensors, allowing the AR software to understand the geometry of a room.

O

Occlusion: The visual effect where a virtual object is hidden or "masked" by a physical object (e.g., a virtual character walking behind a real sofa), essential for believable spatial integration.

P

Passthrough: A feature in XR headsets that uses external cameras to show the user a video feed of the real world, allowing them to see their surroundings while viewing digital overlays.
Phygital: A blend of "physical" and "digital," describing art or experiences that bridge the gap between tangible objects and virtual enhancements.

S

Simultaneous Localization and Mapping: The core technology that allows a device to calculate its position in a room while simultaneously building a map of that environment, enabling stable tracking without markers.
Six Degrees of Freedom: The ability to move freely in 3D space (forward/back, up/down, left/right) and rotate, allowing the user to walk around a virtual object from all angles.
Spatial Anchor: A digital reference point that locks virtual content to a specific location in the physical world, ensuring it stays in place even if the user looks away or leaves the room.
Spatial Computing: A computing paradigm where digital information interacts with physical space, treating the environment as a 3D interface rather than a 2D screen.

T

Target Image: The specific physical artwork or image that the AR camera is programmed to recognize to start the experience.

W

WebAR: Augmented Reality experiences that run directly in a web browser (like Chrome or Safari) without requiring the user to download a specific mobile application.
WebXR: The open standard API that allows developers to create immersive VR and AR experiences that run directly in web browsers.
World Tracking: A tracking method that detects planes (floors, walls, tables) in the environment, allowing digital objects to be placed in the physical space rather than attached to a specific image target.

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