Depth API quickstart for Android NDK Stay organized with collections Save and categorize content based on your preferences.

Page Summary

This guide shows you how to set up your development environment and try out occlusion and visualize the depth map using a sample Depth API app.
To follow along, you need Android Studio 3.1 or higher, a supported Android device, and a basic understanding of Android development and the Depth API.
The sample project uses OpenGL for rendering 2D and 3D graphics and requires you to enable ARCore.
You can run the sample app on a physical supported device to place virtual Android figures and toggle occlusion or visualize the depth map.

Set up your development environment for Depth API
Try out occlusion and visualize the depth map in a sample app

Prerequisites

Android Studio version 3.1 or higher with Android SDK Platform version 7.0 (API level 24) or higher
An Android device that supports the Depth API. See the list of ARCore supported devices for details.
A basic understanding of Android development. If you are new to Android, see Building your first Android app for beginners.
A basic understanding of the Depth API. If you are new to working with Depth, see the Depth API introduction.

Open the sample project

This quickstart uses OpenGL, a programming interface for rendering 2D and 3D vector graphics. Review Enable ARCore before getting started with the following steps.

Get the sample project by cloning the repository with the following command:

git clone https://github.com/google-ar/arcore-android-sdk.git

In Android Studio, open the hello_ar_c sample project.

Run the sample

The Depth API sample app lets you place virtual Android figures in your environment, and toggle occlusion to see the difference. It also lets you toggle the depth map visualization in a given space.

Make sure your Android device is connected to the development machine and click Run in Android Studio.

Your device may prompt you to install or update Google Play Services for AR if it is missing or out of date. Tap CONTINUE to install it from the Google Play Store.

Enable depth

The first time you run the app and place an Android figure, a dialog will prompt you to enable depth. It only appears the first time the app is run, for the first Android placed. Tap Enable to add occlusion.

Toggle occlusion and a visualization of the depth map

Tap the gear icon to toggle occlusion and a visualization of the depth map. Select Enable depth to enable occlusion. Select Show depth map to display a visualization of the depth map on the device's screen.

For example, the following images show a virtual Android figure in a real space containing a trunk beside a door. In the first image, the virtual Android unrealistically overlaps with the edge of the trunk. In the second image, the Android is properly occluded, appearing much more realistic in its surroundings.

The following images show a camera image of a hallway with a bicycle on the wall, and a visualization of the depth map that is created for that camera image.

Next steps

Start using the Depth API in your own apps. To learn more, see: