Learning Virtual Reality: Developing Immersive Experiences and Applications for Desktop, Web, and Mobile - Softcover

Get an introduction to the technologies, tools, and techniques for programming virtual reality on the latest generation of desktop and mobile VR hardware. With this hands-on guide, you’ll learn essential development and production concepts, including UI design, stereo rendering, 3D input, and programming VR applications for native desktop, mobile and the web.

You don’t have to be a game development wizard or have 3D graphics experience to get started. If you have basic programming skills and some familiarity with mobile development, this book will help you gain a working knowledge of virtual reality through clear and simple examples.

• Understand core virtual reality programming concepts
• Learn about emerging VR hardware platforms, including Oculus Rift, Samsung Gear VR, and Google Cardboard
• Learn the tools of the trade for developing VR: Unity3D for native desktop and mobile; the Android Cardboard SDK; Three.js and GLAM (GL and Markup) for web and browser-based mobile
• Create Unity 3D-based VR samples as you learn
• Create Native Android VR samples as you learn
• Create Web-based VR samples as you learn
• Develop working knowledge of user interface design techniques, including menus and 3D input
• Build up to a full application in the final chapter

Tony Parisi is an entrepreneur and career CTO/software architect. He has developed international standards and protocols, created noteworthy software products, and started and sold technology companies. Tony’s passion for innovating is exceeded only by his desire to build great products.

Tony is a pioneer in virtual reality, the co-creator of the VRML and X3D ISO standards for networked 3D graphics, and continues to innovate in 3D technology. Tony is the co-organizer of the San Francisco WebGL Meetup, and the San Francisco WebVR Meetup, and a member of the Khronos COLLADA working group creating glTF, the new file format standard for 3D web and mobile applications. Tony is also the author of O’Reilly Media’s books on WebGL: WebGL Up and Running (2012), and Programming 3D Applications in HTML5 and WebGL (2014).

Tony is currently VP of Platform Products at WEVR, a virtual reality community and VR media player for aspiring and professional creatives.