Creating a Mixed Reality App for Meta Quest 3 Using Unity: A Step-by-Step Guide

Venturing into the realm of mixed reality (MR) development can be an exciting experience, particularly with devices like the Meta Quest 3. This detailed guide will walk you through the process of creating your first MR app using Unity, a powerful game engine widely used for VR and AR development.

Step 1: Setting Up Your Unity Project

Initiating Unity Hub: Open Unity Hub and create a new project using the latest LTS version of Unity 2022 editor.

Choosing the Template: Opt for the 3D URP template, ideal for mixed reality applications.

Adjusting Build Settings: Switch your project to the Android platform, ensuring texture compression is set to ASTC. Select your Quest 3 under Run Device, and switch platforms.

Step 2: Integrating Meta OpenXR

Meta's OpenXR package offers a framework for MR development on Quest devices.

• Go to Window > Package Manager and add the package com.unity.xr.meta-openxr.

• Restart Unity when prompted after enabling necessary native platform backends.

Step 3: Configuring XR Plugin Management

To configure XR settings:

• In XR Plugin Management, select OpenXR and the Meta Quest feature group under the Android tab.

• Add the Oculus Touch Controller profile in Interaction Profiles.

• Disable HDR in URP settings for better performance on Quest.

Step 4: Creating an XR Rig

The XR Rig represents your interface in the VR world.

• Remove the default main camera from the scene.

• Add XR Origin (which functions as your XR Rig) from the XR menu. Set its Tracking Origin Mode to 'Floor'.

• Add an AR Camera Manager to the Main Camera inside XR Origin for pass-through functionality.

• Include an AR Session component for managing the AR experience.

Step 5: Optimizing and Preparing the Scene

• Disable post-processing elements and ensure HDR is off in URP settings for Quest optimization.

• Use Unity’s Asset Store to import a 3D model, such as a free animals.

• Convert the model to be compatible with URP using the Render Pipeline Converter.

Step 6: Building and Deploying the App

• Ensure your Quest 3 is set as the Run Device.
• Click on Build and Run to deploy your app to the headset.

Step 7: Previewing in Play Mode

For quick previews:

• Set up the Play Mode with Oculus Link.
• Although pass-through won't work in Play Mode, it allows quick previews of other functionalities.

Additional Tips and Settings

• When setting up your XR Rig, ensure the Main Camera’s background type is set to 'Solid Color', with the color set to black and alpha to zero.

• In Project Settings, adjust the quality settings to suit Quest performance, disabling unnecessary features like terrain holes and additional lights.

• Verify that the Scriptable Render Pipeline Settings in the Graphics section are correctly set to your URP asset.

Conclusion

Creating an MR app for Meta Quest 3 using Unity involves a careful setup of your project, integrating the right tools, and optimizing for the target platform.

Stay tuned for more tutorials that will delve deeper into adding advanced mixed reality features to your application.