An Anchor is a real-world 2D image used to attach AR content to a Scene. This could be anything from a painting or a poster to a custom graphic. Anchors are scanned by a user's phone camera to initiate the loading of AR content. For best results, select flat, recognizable images that are easy for both users and the system to identify.

While setting up a Scene in the Trace Creator App or the Trace Studio, you can create an Anchor by either taking a photo of a static, recognizable 2D object in your space or by uploading an image to serve as your Anchor. For consistency, Image Anchors in Trace are always square.

Common Objects as Anchors

Anchors can be nearly any 2D marker in the real world, as long as the object can be scanned by the camera. Examples include:

• Paintings on walls
• Photos on fridges or bulletin boards
• Printed flyers, posters, or any custom graphic

Custom Graphics as Anchors

Create custom Image Anchors that align with the style and branding of your event for a cohesive look. To ensure your Anchor is easily recognizable and quick to scan, focus on clear, distinct designs and raster-based imagery. We recommend using a printed graphic larger than 4x4-inches, which offers both portability and ample space for reliable camera recognition.

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An Image Anchor needs to be easily scannable to load a Scene. Here are some factors that improve recognizability:

• Flat images on Flat surfaces
• Having distinct, high contrast, graphics 
• Static and will not move
• Has a consistent source of light on it
• No shadows overcasting the Marker
• No reflections
  
  

These are factors that negatively impact the recognizability of a Marker:

• Graphics with few features (Vector Images)
• 3D Scenes
• Images taken at an angle
• Images that are symmetrical
• Photos that are not cropped
• Images that cannot be easily recognized (low contrast visuals)
• Images that change throughout the day (inconsistent lighting)

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Adding a QR Code to your Anchor can be a convenient way for your users to download the Trace Viewer App in addition to having an anchor for content. We recommend creating a custom graphic that includes both a QR code (to download the app) and a recognizable raster-based image (for the system to recognize). A QR code alone is not ideal for anchoring a Scene. Below you can find an example Image Anchor with a QR code. The independent QR code to the right can also be saved to added to your own Custom Graphic. This code will allow users to download the Trace Viewer App.If you Publish a Project or Scene you will also be able to access a QR code that links directly to them within the Trace Studio.Place the QR code prominently within the graphic but ensure the surrounding image remains distinct and scannable.

How many Anchors does a user need?

The number of Anchors needed depends on the size and complexity of your Scene.

• For small projects, like a single room or continuous space, one Anchor is often enough.
• For larger projects, such as multi-room venues, multiple Anchors and Scenes may be necessary to cover all areas.

How much Content should an Anchor / Scene hold?

To maintain performance, limit each Anchor/Scene to no more than 15 pieces of content and ensure the total polycount stays under 500,000 triangles.  Refer to our Optimize Content guide for optimization tips.

How far should I place Content from an Anchor?

We recommend that you place content no further than 60 ft from an Anchor itself. Anything further may cause issues with content visibility and potential disconnection.  You can make multiple Scenes with distinct Anchors to set up content further away or in different spaces.

For more Trace support, explore these overviews:

• ‍⚡Quick Start Guide - Simple steps to kick off your journey with Trace‍
• 🌐 Trace Platform Overview – Learn about Trace tools and how they work together.‍
• 🎨 Trace Creator App Features – Deep dive into AR content creation on Mobile.‍
• 💻 Trace Studio Features – Manage projects, assets, and publishing.

Lock in your AR anchors for a seamless, reliable experience!