Introduction

Hey there, XR developers! 🌟 In this blog post, we’re exploring Meta’s innovative tool, Building Blocks, designed to streamline XR feature integration using the Meta XR SDK. This tool is a game-changer for both beginners and experienced developers, offering a user-friendly way to add common XR features to your projects. If you find this video helpful, please like, subscribe, and consider supporting my work on Patreon. For any questions, our XR Developer Discord community is always here to help. Let’s dive into the world of Building Blocks! 🛠️

Getting Started with Building Blocks

Building Blocks simplifies the process of discovering and installing XR features. It consists of various blocks representing common use cases, which you can easily integrate into your scene with just a few clicks or drag-and-drop actions. 🧱

Setting Up Your Project

1. Meta XR Core SDK Installation: Start by creating a new Unity project and installing the “Meta XR Core SDK”. This SDK has replaced the older Oculus Integration package, offering more modular and efficient project setups. 📦
2. Exploring Building Blocks: Open Building Blocks via the Oculus menu in Unity. You’ll be greeted with a panel displaying available features that can be added to your project effortlessly. 🖥️

Implementing Basic Building Blocks

1. OVR Camera Setup: Begin with the OVR camera block, which automatically installs necessary dependencies like XR Plugin Management and Oculus XR Plugin. 📸
2. Configuring Project Settings: Ensure your project is set up correctly for Android and apply recommended settings using Meta’s Project Setup Tool. 🛠️
3. Adding Passthrough and Tracking Features: Drag and drop Passthrough, Controller Tracking, and Hand Tracking blocks into your scene. Meta automatically configures these blocks, making them ready for immediate use. 👋🎮

Testing on Meta Quest

Build your scene to the Meta Quest device or connect via Oculus Link to test features like passthrough-mode and hand tracking. Remember to enable “Passthrough over Oculus Link” in the Oculus Link app settings for a seamless testing experience. 🕶️

Exploring Advanced Building Blocks

To access more advanced features, install the “Meta XR Interaction SDK OVR Integration”. This SDK provides additional blocks like Grabbable and Pokeable Items, enhancing your project’s interactivity. 🤖

1. Surface Projected Passthrough: This block creates a window or portal effect, allowing you to view the real world through a virtual opening. 🪟
2. Room Model: Utilize the Room Model block for mixed reality experiences, enabling interaction with virtual representations of walls, furniture, and ceilings. 🏠

Conclusion

Meta’s Building Blocks tool revolutionizes XR development, offering an intuitive and efficient way to integrate common XR features into your Unity projects. Whether you’re a beginner or an experienced developer, Building Blocks can significantly speed up your project setup. 👋👨‍💻🌍

Support Black Whale🐋

If you find our content helpful, consider supporting us on Patreon. Your contributions enable us to continue creating free, high-quality educational material 👍.

Thank you for following this tutorial. Stay tuned for more in-depth and insightful content in the realm of XR development! 🌐

Did this article help you out? Consider supporting me on Patreon or simply subscribe to my YouTube channel!