Realar Places allows potential home buys to explore 3D models in situ on potential development sites. Image provided by Realar.

Realar Places, an Australian-developed augmented reality app allows potential buyers walk through virtual off-the-plan houses in 3D — on real blocks. 

The app works on any flat surface where a model can be rendered, and its creators claim it is the first use of Apple’s ARKit development framework for a sales-driven purpose.

Users can view the layout of a prospective property, walk through the rooms, and look out through rendered windows and doors to see the real view of the environment outside.

One of the app’s creators, Dr. Dan Swan said most augmented reality apps developed to date were largely for entertainment or ‘gimmicky’ experimental uses with little real-world practicality.

“We were excited by the commercial opportunities augmented reality presents now that it is becoming more commonplace on consumer devices but also wanted to create something that would add real value for its users,” he said.

“Consumers are also looking for more practical ways to use AR with their smartphones and tablets without the need for clunky goggles and headsets that accompany virtual reality.”

The Realar app supports many major3D model formats, including Filmbox (.fbx), through authoring software suites including 3DStudioMax, Unity 3D, Unreal, Revit and Sketchup. The full set of supported formats includes Alembic (.abc), Wavefront Object (.obj), Polygon (.ply) and Standard Tessellation Language (.stl), and the developers plan to add GPS-based functionality and CRM platform integration in future releases.

The app is squarely focused on the Australian market initially, and is available under a range of monthly pricing plans.