Why Choose Spark AR Over Unity?

If you’re an AR beginner looking for brand enhancement via social media, Spark AR is your ideal choice. However, for diverse applications from AR to 3D simulations and cross-platform game development, Unity offers a more robust suite with advanced tools and features.

Key Differences Between Spark AR and Unity

• Coding: Spark AR allows AR creation with less scripting knowledge, while Unity requires proficiency in languages like Boo script, JavaScript, and C#.
• Application: While Spark AR primarily focuses on enhancing brand reach via social media platforms, Unity is multifaceted, offering solutions from game development to AR/VR applications.
• Pricing: Spark AR is free to download and use, while Unity operates on a per-install fee system that could restrain indie developers.
• Platform Compatibility: Spark AR content is confined to Instagram and Facebook, whereas Unity supports a wider array of platforms, including Android and iOS.

What Is Spark AR and Who’s It For?

Spark AR is an unmatched augmented reality platform, primarily employed for unpacking brand campaigns on top-drawer social platforms, lead by juggernauts like Facebook and Instagram. Its brilliance lies in swiftly creating immersive AR filters that master the art of bridging the user-product gap. Hustling developers, ambitious freelancers, and budding AR creators will discern the treasure trove that Spark AR is.

This platform not only injects vitality into product reach, but it ensures that the road to AR brilliance is paved with easy transmission of effects to social media, and rich asset support via the Spark AR Library. Its only Achilles heel appears to be its appetite for high computation power and an exclusive club membership for Instagram and Facebook, meaning its experiences get the cold shoulder from other platforms.

Pros of Spark AR

• EffORTLESS creation of immersive AR experiences
• Seamlessly bridges the user-product gap for stellar product branding
• Supports 2D and 3D AR content creation that fosters creativity across skill levels
• High fidelity models through Sketchfab partnership enhancing product realism
• Free to download with robust analytics to measure product performance

Cons of Spark AR

• High computation power requirement can hinder seamless usage
• Experiences are primarily limited to Instagram and Facebook
• Demands Facebook login for access, limiting user base
• Frequent, short interval updates may disrupt workflow

What Is Unity and Who’s It For?

Unity is a tour de force in the arena of game development, having etched its name in 3D and 2D game creation since its inception in 2005. It’s a one-stop-shop for developers, innovative thinkers, and technophiles rooting for the creation of cross-platform games or AR/VR experiences. With compatibility spanning across diverse operating systems, Unity speaks the language of range.

Equipped with a cache of tools and rendering tech, Unity supports high-quality game creation but not without a cost. It’s new, debatable pricing strategy places a fee for each game using Unity software installed. Although Unity assures developers of cost applicability only after a considerable revenue and installation cap, this move sparked mistrust among existing users. Solo, indie, and mobile developers are likely to bear the brunt of this move.

Pros of Unity

• Flexible cross-platform game development and AR/VR creation
• Rich asset store with a variety of pre-designed textures and features
• Wide scripting language compatibility facilitating user accessibility
• Active developer community for assistance, problem-solving, and feedback
• Guarantees adaptability and immersive visual experiences

Cons of Unity

• New per-install fee structure is a matter of concern for developers
• Unannounced changes have led to a trust breach between Unity and its users
• Existing games’ financial sustainability may be compromised due to sudden pricing shifts
• Fees are high for countries classified under “standard” markets

Spark AR vs Unity: Pricing

While Spark AR is an open-source platform primarily requiring Facebook login for access, Unity adopts a pricing structure that imposes fees each time a game using its software is installed, with changes as of January 1st, 2024.

Spark AR

Spark AR emerges as a user-friendly tool catering to a varying range of developers. As an open-source provider, the only prerequisite is a Facebook account. Spark AR Studio is freely downloadable and facilitates AR content creation suitable for social platforms like Facebook and Instagram, with no explicit fees. Apparent in its feature richness, accessibility, and recurring enhancements, Spark AR boosts ROI as a cost-effective medium.

Unity

At odds with Spark AR, Unity levies charges every time a Unity software-based game is installed. This pricing model had been lauded by indie developers for its favorability towards freelancers until recent changes stirred controversy. As of 2024, Unity will administer fees post $200,000 game revenue and 200,000 installations, leaving its user base apprehensive. While Unity provides both comprehensive free and paid versions for game creation, changing fees policies and the prospective abuse risk placed Unity under the industry spotlight.

Code Examples for Spark AR & Unity

Spark AR

This sample code allows you to create an interactive face tracking filter. The prerequisites for this script execution are the latest version of Spark AR Studio, and a basic knowledge of JavaScript.

// Require Face Tracking and Scene modules
    var FaceTracking = require('FaceTracking');
    var Scene = require('Scene');

    // Access primary user camera facetracker
    var face = FaceTracking.face(0);
    
    // Select 'plane0' from the objects panel
    var plane = Scene.root.find('plane0');

    // Bind facetracker x value to plane rotationX
    plane.transform.rotationX = face.cameraTransform.rotationX;
    
    // Bind facetracker y value to plane rotationY
    plane.transform.rotationY = face.cameraTransform.rotationY;
 
    // Bind facetracker z value to plane rotationZ
    plane.transform.rotationZ = face.cameraTransform.rotationZ;

Unity

Here’s a Unity example for creating a moving platform in a game, using C#. Make sure you have Unity installed and possess the core understanding of Unity’s interface and C# programming.

//Header directives
    using System.Collections;
    using System.Collections.Generic;
    using UnityEngine;

    public class MovingPlatform : MonoBehaviour
    {
        public GameObject platform;  //The moving object
        public float moveSpeed;      //Speed of movement
        public Transform currentPoint;  //The current point to move to
        public Transform[] points;   //Array of move points
        public int pointSelection;   //Index for points[]

        // Start function
        void Start()
        {
            //Set current point to pointSelection index
            currentPoint = points[pointSelection];
        }

        // Update function
        void Update()
        {
            //Move to the current point at moveSpeed
            platform.transform.position = Vector3.MoveTowards(platform.transform.position,
            currentPoint.position, Time.deltaTime * moveSpeed);
        }
    }

Spark AR or Unity: Who Reigns Supreme?

In the arena of AR development and marketing, both Spark AR and Unity have proved to be strong contenders. Let’s see which one steals the limelight for different audience segments:

Gritty Developers Scaling the Learning Curve

For up-and-coming developers desiring to build and launch seamless AR experiences with minimal scripting knowledge, Spark AR is your go-to platform. Its user-friendliness, richness in assets, step-by-step guides, video tutorials, and lively community provide a nurturing platform for your growth.

Brand Marketers Eyeing Social Engagement

Captivate your social media audience with immersive AR experiences. With its instant effect transmission to Facebook and Instagram, Spark AR helps marketers enhance product reach, increase engagement, and consequently, the return on investments.

Advanced Game Developers and VR Enthusiasts

For the seasoned game creators, or VR fanatics wanting to bring your cutting-edge ideas to life, lean towards Unity. Its powerful suite of tools and features supporting high-quality 3D or 2D game and VR creation, coupled with an active developer community, elevates your game.

Solo or Indie Mobile Developers

Treading the path of mobile game development as an individual game maker or a small team? Be cautious with Unity. Its recent shift in pricing model, involving per-install fees, could potentially limit your financial sustainability.

While Spark AR shines with its user-friendly interface and social media integration, it’s better suited for novice developers and marketers targeting social platforms. For complex game development and VR creation, Unity holds an unmatched toolkit – just bear in mind its controversial pricing model.