Larry Tesler created “copy-paste” simple copy texts and notes Take it from one page and paste it on another. This simple innovation has changed the way we use our computers. Advances in technology have allowed us to take this simple copy-paste feature to new heights. Last year, Paris-based designer Cyril Diagne created a unique application This allows users to copy real-world objects and paste them into a computer using Augmented Reality (AR). Here’s how you can copy and paste real-world objects in AR using your iPhone and Android.
Copy and Paste Real World Objects in AR
AR is one of the biggest technologies of the future and hopefully, sooner or later it will go mainstream. Companies like Apple are trying to bring this future even closer by adding hardware specifically for AR to their products. Just this year, Apple added a LiDAR sensor to its new iPhone 12 Pro and iPhone 12 Pro Max flagship smartphones.
This gives me hope that things will get interesting soon. Anyway, leaving my thoughts aside, let’s see how you can use your iPhone or Android smartphones to create an AR model of real world objects.
Prerequisites
The app, called “ClipDrop”, has recently been made available on the Play Store and App Store. Therefore, before you start copying objects and text in the real world, you need to download and install the application on your mobile device.
Also, there is a Windows and a macOS version of the app you need to paste the copied data onto your PC or Mac. So make sure you have installed the apps on your phone and laptop before starting the tutorial.
How to Use ClipDrop to Copy and Paste in AR
Now that your smartphone and PC or Mac are equipped with ClipDrop, let’s move on to the steps, shall we:
1. Open ClipDrop on your iOS or Android device.
2. Here, select the “Clip” option from the lower mod bar. Point your smartphone’s camera at the object or subject you want to copy in AR and tap the center of the screen to capture.
3. Wait for the app to detect the object, separate it from the background, and convert it to an AR model. Now with the copied object on your screen, point your smartphone at your PC or Mac with the ClipDrop app open. Tap the “Drop” button to paste the copied AR model on your computer.
Note: To paste AR objects on your PC or Mac, make sure your mobile device and computer are connected to the same network connection.
Pretty awesome, right? In this way, you can insert any real-world object into various editing or modeling software such as Adobe Photoshop or Unity with maximum ease.
Other Functions and Subscription Model
Now, in addition to copying objects and even people, you can also copy handwritten or printed text like Google Lens’s cross-platform copy-paste. You can also click and send pictures seamlessly to your computer or laptop using ClipDrop’s cross-platform support.
As for the pricing and subscription model, the app itself comes for free. However, you can only rip 10 clips without a monthly or annual subscription costing $9.99 (~Rs 735) and $39.99 (~Rs 3,942) respectively. However, support for copying text and photos in ClipDrop is unlimited in the free version.
Create AR Models of Real-World Objects Using Your Phone
I hope you enjoyed this fun tutorial. I found the app useful and it’s impressive how well it works. So, take a tour and let us know how it performed for you. Voice your experiences in the comments section below.
