One of our newer technology previews is Augmented Reality for Autodesk Showcase. It has been quite popular. The technology preview allows you to overlay semantically in context information (graphics, text, video, sound) on to a live video feed of the real-world in real-time while using Autodesk Showcase.

// Learn more about Augmented Reality for Showcase

As our web site notes: Showcase allows you to communicate your design ideas effectively and facilitate decision making via design exploration and 3D presentation for architects, designers, engineers, and marketing professionals. A frequently asked question about this technology preview has been "Why Showcase? Why not 3DS Max or Maya?"

Technical Evangelist, Brian Pene, shared the answer. The main reason we developed a plugin for Showcase vs Maya or 3DS Max:

1. Showcase is included in all Autodesk Suites whereas 3DS Max and Maya are not. This way we make the plug-in available to a broader group - the broader the group, the better the chance we get feedback to improve the technology.
   

2. Showcase can import 3DS Max or Maya content via FBX. This way anyone designing with Maya or 3ds Max can still enjoy Augmented Reality experiences in Showcase.
   

3. Showcase has superior real-time rendering quality to that of Max or Maya. Beauty is indeed in the eye of the beholder.
   

In summary, because the quality of Showcase real-time rendering is superior to that of 3ds Max or Maya, AND we support both 3ds Max and Maya content via FBX, we recommend you use the Showcase plugin to achieve better rendering results of augmented 3D content to that of similar AR plug-ins for Autodesk 3DS Max or Maya. Your feedback is welcomed at labs.showcase.ar@autodesk.com.

Answers are alive in the lab.