Discuss spatial computing on Apple platforms and how to design and build an entirely new universe of apps and games for Apple Vision Pro.

All subtopics
Posts under Spatial Computing topic

Post

Replies

Boosts

Views

Activity

Cannot reassign worldTracking / planeDetection providers in my PlacementManager when switching environments
Environment Xcode: 16.2 VisionOS SDK 2.4 Swift 6.1 Targets: Apple Vision Pro (immersive space) Frameworks: ARKit, RealityKit, SwiftUI What I’m Trying to Do I have a view-model class PlacementManager that holds two AR providers: private var worldTracking: WorldTrackingProvider private var planeDetection: PlaneDetectionProvider I want to dynamically replace these providers in a setEnvironment(_:) method (so I can save/clear a JSON scene and restart ARKit). What’s Happening If I declare them as : private let worldTracking = WorldTrackingProvider() private let planeDetection = PlaneDetectionProvider() I get compile-errors when I later do: self.worldTracking = newWorldTracking // Cannot assign to property: 'worldTracking' is a 'let' constant If I change them to un-initialized vars: private var worldTracking: WorldTrackingProvider private var planeDetection: PlaneDetectionProvider then in my init() I get: self used in property access 'worldTracking' before all stored properties are initialized Code snipet @Observable final class PlacementManager : ObservableObject { private var worldTracking: WorldTrackingProvider private var planeDetection: PlaneDetectionProvider // … other props … @MainActor init() { // error: self.worldTracking used before init… planeAnchorHandler = PlaneAnchorHandler(rootEntity: root) persistenceManager = PersistenceManager( worldTracking: worldTracking, rootEntity: root ) // … } @MainActor func setEnvironment(env: Environnement) async { let newWorldTracking = WorldTrackingProvider() let newPlaneDetection = PlaneDetectionProvider() try await appState!.arkitSession.run( [ newWorldTracking, newPlaneDetection ] ) self.worldTracking = newWorldTracking self.planeDetection = newPlaneDetection // … } } What I’ve Tried Giving them default values at declaration (= WorldTrackingProvider()) Initializing them at the top of init() before any use Passing the new providers into arkitSession.run(...) My Question What is the recommended Swift-style pattern to declare and reassign these ARKit provider properties so that: They’re fully initialized before use in init(), and I can swap them out later in setEnvironment(...) without compiler errors? Any pointers (or links to forum threads / docs) would be greatly appreciated!
0
0
129
May ’25
Setting clip shape of a RealityView
I am following this example to create a stereoscopic image: https://developer.apple.com/documentation/visionos/creating-stereoscopic-image-in-visionos I would also like to add corner radius to the stereoscopic RealityView. With ordinary SwiftUI views, we typically just use .clipShape(RoundedRectangle(cornerRadius: 32)): struct StereoImage: View { var body: some View { let spacing: CGFloat = 10.0 let padding: CGFloat = 40.0 VStack(spacing: spacing) { Text("Stereoscopic Image Example") .font(.largeTitle) RealityView { content in let creator = StereoImageCreator() guard let entity = await creator.createImageEntity() else { print("Failed to create the stereoscopic image entity.") return } content.add(entity) } .frame(depth: .zero) } .padding(padding) .clipShape(RoundedRectangle(cornerRadius: 32)) // <= HERE! } } This doesn't seem to actually clip the RealityView shown in the sample above. I am guessing this is due to the fact that the box in the RealityView has a non-zero z scale, which means it isn't on the same "layer" as its SwiftUI containers, and thus isn't clipped by the modifiers apply to the containers. How can I properly apply a clipshape to RealityViews like this? Thanks!
3
0
491
Feb ’25
VisionPro camera frame rate
Hi, I'm working with CameraFrameProvider from Enterprise API. Is it always capped at 30fps, or is there something I can switch to get more? I assume it is capped at 30, so let me cram in additional question here :). If I'd get a developer strap and attach an external camera capable of doing >30fps, will I get the full stream, or some other limitation will kick in?
2
0
122
Apr ’25
Shader Graph Material: Feather Edges Image Effect
Hi, I am trying to create a simple effect to create feather edges on the image using Reality Composer Pro. Something like this: As you can see it has softer edges on all sides that dissolves into transparency with the background. this is what I have been able to achieve on my own. I want to use the "feather" input node value (float) from 0.0 to 1.0 to increase or decrease the strength of the feather edges.
1
0
165
Mar ’25
Reality Composer Pro Performance on iOS
I need help to wrap my head around this... If I import the Reality Composer Pro package and load it into an ARView, I will see 1.3gb of memory usage and about 180-220% cpu usage. The frames will start at around 60fps, and then eventually drop to around 30fps. If I export the usdz from Reality Composer Pro and load that into the same ARView, I will see about 1gb of memory usage and around 150% cpu usage; fps holds longer at 60 but eventually drops. If I load that same usdz into a QuickLook view, I will see about 55mb of memory usage, 9-11% cpu, and the frames stay locked at 116fps. The only thing I notice is the button I have is slightly less responsive, but it all still works fine. I don't understand. How can I make the ARView work as efficiently as QuickLook?
0
0
270
Mar ’25
How to Move and Rotate WindowGroup with Code in Xcode
当我进入混合空间时,出现一个模型,但模型后面有一个 windowGroup,无法完全查看。如果我想点击进入 mix 空间,我需要使用代码将 windowGroup 移动到另一个位置,而不是手动移动 ![](“https://developer.apple.com/forums/content/attachment/0471ead0-4c74-43a7-9ecc-12e67e81cec6” “title=WechatIMG31.jpg;宽度=915;高度=777”)
0
0
62
Mar ’25
Apple Vision Pro - hand tracking with gloves
I am considering adding finger pad haptics (Data flow for haptic feedback is directed from the AVP to the fingers, not vice versa). Simple piezos wired to a wrist connection holding the driver/battery. But I'm concerned it will impact the hand tracking. Any guidance regarding gloves and/or the size of any peripherals attached to fingers? Or, if anyone has another (inexpensive) low profile option on the market please LMK. Thanks
0
0
238
Feb ’25
ARDepthData.confidenceMap only returns low confidence on certain devices
A few users have recently reported no longer being able to capture point clouds using our app, specifically on iPhone 15 Pro devices. We recently found an in-house device that exhibits this behavior and found that the confidenceMap contains only low confidence values, regardless of the environment being captured. Our app uses a higher confidence threshold; setting the threshold to a lower value produces noisy results as expected, so that is a non-viable option. Other LiDAR based apps have been tested with this device and the results are the same. No points, or noisy point clouds in apps that allow a lower confidence threshold setting. On devices that exhibit this behavior the "Displaying a point cloud using scene depth" Apple sample app can be used to visualize the issue. First reports of this new behavior occurred as early as iOS 18.4. Looking for recommendations on which team(s) at Apple to reach out to with these findings since the behavior manifests on only a small sample of devices.
1
0
263
Jun ’25
Why can't I load a ModelEntity from RealityKitContentBundle?
If I place the .usdz file in the project directory alongside other .swift files, ModelEntity loads it perfectly. However, if I try to load the same file from Reality Composer Pro under RealityKitContent.rkassets, I get the error: resourceNotFound("heart"). Could someone help me with this? Thank you so much Code: // // TestttttttApp.swift // Testtttttt // // Created by Zhendong Chen on 2/17/25. // import SwiftUI @main struct TestttttttApp: App { var body: some Scene { WindowGroup { ContentView() } .windowStyle(.volumetric) } } // // ContentView.swift // Testtttttt // // Created by Zhendong Chen on 2/17/25. // import SwiftUI import RealityKit import RealityKitContent struct ContentView: View { @State private var enlarge = false var body: some View { RealityView { content in do { // MARK: Work let scene = try await ModelEntity(named: "heart") content.add(scene) // MARK: Doesn't work // let scene = try await ModelEntity(named: "heart", in: realityKitContentBundle) // content.add(scene) } catch { print(error) } } } } #Preview(windowStyle: .volumetric) { ContentView() }
1
0
509
Feb ’25
ARKit Eye Tracking Calibration Issues - Word-Level Reading Tracking Feasibility
Hi Apple Developer Community, I'm developing an eye-tracking application using ARKit's ARFaceTrackingConfiguration and ARFaceAnchor.blendShapes for gaze detection using Xcode. I'm experiencing several calibration and accuracy issues and would appreciate insights from the community. Current Implementation Using ARFaceAnchor.blendShapes (.eyeLookUpLeft, .eyeLookDownLeft, .eyeLookInLeft, .eyeLookOutLeft, etc.) Implementing custom sensitivity curves and smoothing algorithms Applying baseline correction and coordinate mapping Using quadratic regression for calibration point mapping Issues I'm Facing 1. Calibration Mismatch Red dot position doesn't align with where I'm actually looking Significant offset between intended gaze point and actual cursor position Calibration seems to drift or become inaccurate over time 2. Extreme Eye Movement Requirements Need to make exaggerated eye movements to reach screen edges/corners Natural eye movements don't translate to proportional cursor movement Difficulty reaching certain screen regions even with calibration 3. Sensitivity and Stability Issues Cursor jitters or jumps around when looking at center Too much sensitivity to micro-movements Inconsistent behavior between calibration and normal operation 4. I also noticed that tracking on calibration screen as well as tracking on reading screen works better as expected when head movement is there, but I do not want much head movement. I want tracking with normal eye movement while reading an Ebook. Primary Question: Word-Level Eye Tracking Feasibility Is word-level eye tracking (tracking gaze as users read through individual words in an ebook) technically feasible with current iPhone/iPad hardware? I understand that Apple's built-in eye tracking is primarily an accessibility feature for UI navigation. However, I'm wondering if the TrueDepth camera and ARKit's eye tracking capabilities are sufficient for: Tracking natural reading patterns (left-to-right, line-by-line progression) Detecting which specific words a user is looking at Maintaining accuracy for sustained reading sessions (15-30 minutes) Working reliably across different users and lighting conditions Questions for the Community Hardware Limitations: Are iPhone/iPad TrueDepth cameras capable of the precision needed for word-level tracking, or is this beyond current hardware capabilities? Calibration Best Practices: What calibration strategies have worked best for accurate gaze mapping? How many calibration points are typically needed? Reading-Specific Challenges: Are there particular challenges when tracking reading behavior vs. general gaze tracking? Alternative Approaches: Are there better approaches than ARKit blend shapes for this use case? Current Setup Devices: iPhone 14 Pro iOS Version: iOS 18.3 ARKit Version: Latest available Any insights, experiences, or technical guidance would be greatly appreciated. I'm particularly interested in hearing from developers who have worked on similar eye tracking applications or have experience with the limitations and capabilities of ARKit's eye tracking features. Thank you for your time and expertise!
0
0
725
Oct ’25
Safari-like toolbar in visionOS
I like the toolbar visionOS's Safari uses for back & forward page, share, etc. It floats above the window. My attempt to do this with ornaments isn't as satisfying as they partially cover the window. My attempts with toolbar haven't produced visible results. Is this Safari-style toolbar for visionOS exposed by Apple in the API's? If so, could someone point me to documentation or sample code? Thanks!
1
0
226
Oct ’25
How to implement the semi-transparent overlay effect in Immersive View?
I noticed that when I drag the menu window in an Immersive View, the entities behind it becomes semi-transparent, and the boundary between virtual and real-world objects is very pronounced. May I ask how does VisionOS implement this effect? Is there any API or technique I can use in my own code to enable the same semi-transparent overlay - even when I am not dragging the menu window?
0
0
134
May ’25
Entity jittering when using hand anchor
Hello! I'm a developer of Ping Pong for Apple Vision Pro (Ping Pong Club). I'm experiencing an issues with collisions between ball and paddle. Sometimes the ball just unexpectedly flying away like it has been hit to hard. I believe this is happening because hand anchors are jittering (ping pong paddle has hand anchor component) and at the time of collision unnecessary micro motion produced. I've build a demo app to demonstrate that: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1gBh-DsXuVZdvDrrD7gJcbJ_hg7tvVKUV/view?usp=share_link Video: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1poPbsJdBz87edqrWIfBt1eSVzfm5CTek/view?usp=sharing Is there a way to add some threshold to prevent jittering?
0
0
102
Jun ’25
iOS needs to allow for background bluetooth scanning. I can't fully build my app.
iOS currently restricts background Bluetooth advertising and scanning in order to preserve battery life and protect user privacy. While these restrictions serve important purposes, they also limit legitimate use cases where users have explicitly opted in to proximity-based experiences. The core challenge is that modern social applications need a way to detect when users are physically present at the same location or event without requiring every participant to keep their app in the foreground. Under the current system, background BLE advertising is heavily throttled and can only transmit a limited payload, background scanning intervals are sparse and unpredictable, peer-to-peer proximity detection cannot be maintained reliably when apps are in the background, and Background App Refresh is non-deterministic, making any kind of time-based proximity validation impossible. A proposed enhancement would be to introduce an “Enhanced Proximity Permission.” This would allow developers to enable reliable background BLE advertising and scanning for declared time windows, such as a maximum of eight hours. It would also allow devices running the same app to detect each other’s proximity using ephemeral, rotating identifiers that preserve privacy, with clear user consent and prominent indicators whenever the feature is active. Unlocking this capability would open up new categories of applications. Live events could offer automatic attendance tracking at concerts, conferences, or sports venues. Retail environments could support opt-in foot traffic analysis and dwell-time insights. Social apps could allow users to find friends at festivals, campuses, or other large venues. Safety applications could extend to crowd density monitoring and contact tracing beyond COVID-era needs. Gaming could offer real-world multiplayer experiences based on physical proximity, and transportation providers could verify rideshare pickups or measure public transit flows automatically. Privacy safeguards would remain central. Permissions would be time-boxed and expire after an event or session. A mandatory visual indicator would be displayed whenever proximity tracking is active. A user-facing dashboard would show all apps granted enhanced proximity access. Permissions would automatically be revoked after a period of non-use, and only ephemeral tokens not permanent identifiers would be broadcast. The industry impact would be significant. With this enhancement, iOS could power the next generation of location-aware social platforms while maintaining Apple’s leadership in privacy through explicit user control and transparency. Current alternatives, such as requiring users to keep apps in the foreground or deploying dedicated hardware beacons, produce poor user experiences and constrain innovation in spatial computing and social applications. Can anyone from Apple consider this change? Having to buy iBeacons is brutal and means slower adoption. Please reconsider this for users who opt in.
1
0
1.1k
Sep ’25