colAR augmented reality colouring book

the ‘colAR’ application turns colouring book pages into custom 2D and 3D animations left: blank colouring book page, © bruce mahalski right: animation of coloured-in kiwi, © tech media network

developed by the human interface technology lab new zealand (HITlabNZ), ‘colAR‘ is a computer program that transforms colouring book pages into animated 3D models.

the project features a series of mini-applications, each dedicated to a particular colouring book whose printable pages are downloaded alongside the program. children and other users colour in the pages normally, but can then scan their work with a web camera. upon focusing in on a recognizable page, the program features an animated version of the coloured-in characters onscreen. the 3D scene can be rotated to be viewed from different angles.

the first colouring book, featuring 2D animations, was released in late 2011, while the more recent ‘amazing animals of new zealand’ book lets users visualize textured 3D models on 2D backgrounds. currently the software is available only for windows.

the developing team is comprised of adrian clark, andreas duenser, elwin lee, katy bang, and gabriel salas.

view of a custom-coloured 2D animated scene when the program ‘recognizes’ a page, it focuses in with a blue square before displaying the animation

demo of the first ‘colAR’ release video © thammathip piumsomboon

via innovation news daily