Transition Modes and Options

chARpack offers three different ways to transfer (transition) molecules between AR and desktop:

Desktop2D

Full3D

In this mode, molecules are animated moving in 3D when transitioning to make the interaction feel natural. By default, molecule scale and rotation are also animated.

Instant

This mode makes molecules transition instantly from desktop to AR and vice versa; in 2D, they appear in the center of the screen whereas in AR it appears at the chosen Immersive Target.

Interactions to initiate transition

There are multiple ways available to transition molecules; by default, all of them are active, but you can choose to only use one of them in the settings on the server.

If the transition is successful, you should hear a ringing confirmation sound.

Button Press

AR to Desktop: Look straight at the desired molecule and then press the Space key on your keyboard to transfer.

Desktop to AR: Move the Hover Cursor over the molecule you want to transfer so its bounding box turns orange and then press the Space key to move it out of the screen.

Close Grab

Move your index finger close to the screen. Once it is close enough, you should see an arc going from your finger tip to a projected position on the desktop. Move this arc over a molecule and perform a normal grab gesture with your index finger and thumb to move it to AR while grabbed.

Distant Grab

Move the Hover Cursor over the molecule, then touch your middle finger to your thumb to move a molecule to AR.

Onscreen Pull

Move the Hover Cursor over the molecule you want and perform a normal grab gesture (putting your index finger and thumb together). You can now pull the molecule on the screen towards you; if you pull it far enough, it leaves the screen and appears in the AR environment.

Throw

Grab a corner of the bounding box of the molecule to be transferred to the screen and make a throwing gesture towards the screen; the molecule should be transferred to the desktop.

Flick

Flick your index finger towards a molecule (in direct proximity of your hand). This means you start from a position similar to the grab gesture and then straighten your index finger fast. This should move the molecule to the screen.

Catch

Move the Hover Cursor over the molecule to transition and curl your index finger, middle finger and thumb like you are catching a small ball to move it to AR.

Other Options

In the server settings, you can influence some more behaviours of asynchronous mode, for example the Immersive Target (where in the AR environment a molecule should appear when transitioning from the desktop), the Desktop Target (where on the desktop the molecule should appear) and settings to control the duration of an animation as well as what parameters should be animated (rotation, scale, both or none).

Require Grab Hold

If this is active (default), you are required to keep your fingers in the grab position used to initiate the transition for the duration of the transition animation (1.5 seconds by default). Changing your hand position early (“letting go” of the molecule) aborts the transition.

Hover/Gaze as Selection

If this is active (default), you can look at a molecule to select it for transition with the Button Press interaction. By deactivating it, you need to instead select the desired molecule using a standard selection gesture in AR before it can be transitioned.