Custom AR Markers vs. QR Markers: What Is It, The Differences, and How to Insert

Did you know that you can actually share your project in several different ways on Assemblr ecosystem? While other options like sharing links and embed page are available, there's another one that's quite powerful: AR markers.

Just in case you forgot or haven't known it yet, AR markers are the visual cues that serve as triggers to pop up your AR contents.

The triggers can be varied—it could be customized designs, graphics, or even mere QR codes that you can find every day. And all the things you read in the previous sentence can be found on Assemblr's AR markers.

Here, we have two types of AR markers: QR markers and custom AR markers. What are their differences? And how can you use them on your projects? Here's how!

Assemblr Custom AR Markers

What Is a Custom AR Marker?

In Assemblr ecosystem, custom AR markers are AR markers that are in the form of customized graphics or visuals. This includes any graphic designs—including book covers, posters, invitations, sticker designs, t-shirt designs, and more. Basically, anything with a design will fit as a custom AR marker!

To pop up AR contents above custom AR markers, you can simply scan the markers with Assemblr Studio mobile app.

What’s an Ideal Custom AR Marker Like?

There are several criteria that make your soon-to-be custom AR markers fit in our ecosystem. Make sure to pay attention to these, so your AR won’t appear flickery 😉

Rich details

Your marker should have a unique graphic. This means you can include visuals and even texts. Some of the good examples will be groups of people, mixtures of items, and street scenes. However, while these are good, make sure that there’s no repetitive pattern!

Great in contrast

The color also contributes to your marker. If your graphic includes bright and dark colors, they’ll simply work well as a custom AR marker.

Proper format & size

When saving your custom AR marker, it must be saved in 8- or 24-bit PNG and JPG formats. Make sure to also save it less than 2 MB in size, and the JPGs must be RGB or grayscale.

Appropriate surface & materials

If your graphic—or in this case, custom AR marker—will be printed later, make sure to not use glossy papers as the materials. They might reflect lights—and this will be a main reason why your AR is flickery.

Also, if you happen to attach it somewhere, please stick it on a flat surface to be able to detect better. Don’t let it be on a curved or bendy one. 

How to Insert Custom AR Markers to Your Project

From AR Marker page1. Click “Add Custom Marker”.‍

If you’re on a Free Plan, you’ll get 1 free custom AR marker slot. You can upgrade it anytime by subscribing to our plans—or purchase the custom AR marker slots separately by clicking the (+) button.

2. Upload your own graphic as a custom AR marker.‍

Once it’s succeeded, don’t forget to give a name to your marker and assign where you want to insert your marker to the projects you’ve created.

If you’ve done all the steps, click "Upload".

P.S. If you want to change your assigned project, simply click here, and then click "Update".

Also, you can delete the market by clicking on this button.

3. You’re all set!

‍Now you can see the AR content coming alive on top or in front of your marker.

From Your Projects page1. Choose “Create Your Creation”—if you haven’t created the project; or pick from the projects you’ve created.

2. Once you’re in the Editor, click on this button on your bottom left of the project.

3. Click on the square area to upload your graphic as a custom AR marker.

Then, upload your custom AR marker. Just in case you want to change it, you can click "Change Marker".

If your AR marker is detected as excellent, click "Upload".

4. Once it’s uploaded, you can choose the Project Orientation as well.

If you want your project to appear standing above the custom AR marker, choose Horizontal.

But if you want it to appear in front of your custom AR marker, choose Vertical.

Want to delete? You can simply click on the trash button on the left of the Update button.

5. Time to create the project!

You can decorate it with all the tools provided in the Editor, and arrange it above or in front of the custom AR marker to make it precise.

6. If you’re done, you can publish right away.

Make sure to fill in all the information needed, and on the Publish Settings section, choose “Pop up above an AR marker”. That’s it!

Assemblr QR Markers

Unlike custom AR markers, the QR markers are solely Assemblr QR codes that will trigger your AR contents. To pop up the AR contents, you can either use Assemblr Studio mobile app, and scan the QR markers right away.

For QR markers, you can include or attach them on your printed or digital media—such as posters, invitations, presentations, etc.!

How to Get QR Markers on Assemblr Studio

1. First up, create your own creation, or pick a project that you’ve created.

2. Once you’re done, click "Publish".

Make sure to fill in all the information needed.

3. On the Publish Settings section, choose “Pop up above an AR marker”.

4. On the Share Project section, choose “AR Graphic Marker”.

5. To get the marker, just click “Download QR”.

6. Your QR marker will be downloaded to your device right away!

Now that you already know the guide to Assemblr AR markers, make sure to maximize them, and get ready to stun everyone with your visualizations 🥳 Happy assembling!