Uma interface gráfica com o usuário de apoio ao software ARToolKit

Abstract

In these days, the Virtual and Augmented Reality have outstanding due their countless applications in varied fields. Areas as education, industry, architecture, engineering and entertainment are the most beneficiaries. In particular, the area of Augmented Reality allows the information visualization in a natural form, due from the characteristic of mixing the virtual with the real. For the mixture of virtual objects with the real world, one in the ways is the use of the ARToolKit library was developed, based on techniques of computational vision. However, for its use, any user needs to accomplish a sequence of non trivial steps, involving the opening of files, association with other files and the correct placement of them in specific directories, and consequently hindering the use of the tool for the users. Seeking to supply such difficulties, this work presents the development of a system of windows for the ARToolKit software that allows to the user the conception, insert and association of markers to virtual objects in a more interactive way. This interface can be used without difficulties for common users in the development of several applications in Augmented Reality. Besides, a study was made showing principals of human-computer interaction, interfaces and usability. Some works in the scientific area are also presented, mainly those that link with the use of interfaces for Augmented Reality. In relation to the technological aspects the ARToolKit library was explored, in order to know which tool is the best to be used for the construction of an interactive interface that can integrate with the library. In agreement with the users' evaluations, the proposed system reaches its objectives, by a system for user support in the development of Augmented Reality applications in a more intuitive way.