The WorkLink App offers four main ways to view and interact with content:

1. Object Tracking Mode – Aligns 3D content to a physical object.
2. Image Tracking Mode – Anchors 3D content to an image (like a QR code or custom marker).
3. Surface Tracking Mode – Places 3D content on a flat surface (like a table, wall, or floor).
4. Interactive 3D Mode (No AR) – Lets you explore 3D content without relying on any camera tracking (rotate, pan, zoom, etc.).

Each mode allows you to experience augmented or interactive 3D content in the most convenient way for your environment. Below, we will explain how each mode works, along with tips and best practices.

1. AR vs. Interactive 3D Mode

AR Mode

When AR Mode is turned On, the WorkLink App attempts to track your surroundings with the camera and place content in the real world. Depending on the project and what the author made available, you may see one or more of the following tracking modes available:

• Object Tracker
• Image Tracker
• Surface Tracker

 

Note: If your device does not support AR, or you prefer not to use your camera, you can switch to Interactive 3D Mode.

Interactive 3D Mode

When AR Mode is turned Off, the WorkLink App switches to an interactive 3D viewer. This mode does not rely on your camera or environment tracking. Instead, you can manipulate the 3D content freely:

• Rotate by dragging (one-finger or left-click on PC).
• Pan by using two-finger drag on mobile or middle or right mouse button on PC.
• Zoom In/Out using pinch gestures on mobile or scroll wheel on PC.

Use this mode to explore the 3D model in detail before (or instead of) placing it into the real world.

2. AR Tracking Modes

When AR Mode is turned on, you can choose (or the project may automatically switch) between the following placement modes. Each has its own best practices for optimal performance.

A. Object Tracking Mode

• What it does: Aligns your 3D model directly to a physical object.
• How to use it:
  1. Point your device camera at the real object you want to track.
  2. Match the outline or silhouette (if provided) to the object from the best angle.
  3. Move around the object if needed for better alignment.
• Tips & Best Practices:
  • Ensure good lighting.
  • Keep high contrast between the object and its background.
  • Move slowly and steadily if the object has complex details or poor contrast.
  • If your project allows, adjust the orientation of the outline or tracking model to fit your real-world object.
  • For poor lighting situations, the WorkLink app on iOS allows you to turn on the flashlight.
    See a video on how that works here:
    

Mobile (Tablets & Phones)

1. Default: Active Tracking Off

   • By default, the WorkLink App uses SLAM (Simultaneous Localization and Mapping) on mobile devices after the initial alignment.
   • What is SLAM? In simple terms, SLAM lets your device map its surroundings so that virtual content stays in place, even if you move the camera or walk around. It’s generally very efficient and works well for most use cases.

2. When to Turn Active Tracking On
   
   

   • If accuracy from all angles is critical (for example, if you need to frequently move around or even move the real object itself), turn on Active Tracking.
     See how millimeter accurate active tracking can be:
     
   • Active Tracking continuously looks for the object, realigning the 3D model whenever it’s recognized. This provides more precision but may have a performance impact on some devices.
   • You can switch Active Tracking off again at any time if you notice slower performance or if you no longer need constant re-alignment.

HoloLens 2 (HL2): Precision 3D Object Alignment

On HoloLens 2, we default to - and recommend using Precision 3D Object Alignment to achieve more accurate content placement. This feature captures multiple angles of the real-world object, improving alignment so that mean deviation of the SLAM placement can be millimeter accurate from all angles.

See how accurate precision alignment can be:

Note: This video shows the experience on a tablet. The HoloLens 2 experience looks slightly different, but the precision can be as accurate. The accuracy will also depend on the settings the author published the object tracker with, as well as the surroundings being favorable or not (eg.: background with a lot of detail, well lit, good contrast in the video feed etc.)

B. Image Tracking Mode

• What it does: Anchors your 3D model to a printed or displayed image target. Image targets can be Scope Standard Markers (Download the pdf version here , you can also ask a Scope AR team member for physical markers) or Custom Image Targets (Customized Image targets are configured in WorkLink Create)
• How to use it:
  1. Point your device camera at the Image Target so the app recognizes it.
  2. Make sure the image is flat, well-lit, and clearly visible.
  3. Once recognized, your 3D content will appear aligned to the image.
• Tips & Best Practices:
  • Flat Surface: Place your image target on a level surface for easier recognition.
  • Optimal Size: Scope Standard Markers are typically 100mm x 100mm. Larger or smaller images may affect performance.
  • Matte Finish: Avoid shiny surfaces or glare that might obstruct the camera’s view.

Image Active Tracking (Optional)

• Turning Image Active Tracking On continuously checks for the image target, letting you move or re-align it in real time.
• Turning it Off means that after initial placement, the system switches to SLAM to keep the 3D content stable in the scene.

C. Surface Tracking Mode

• What it does: Places 3D content on any flat surface (like a table, floor, or wall) using your device’s camera.

• How to use it:
  1. Point your camera at a flat surface, about 2 meters away.
  2. Wait for the app to detect the plane (you’ll often see a placeholder grid).
  3. Tap (or click) to place the 3D content on the surface.
• Tips & Best Practices:
  • Use well-lit environments.
  • Avoid highly reflective or dark surfaces, as they are harder for the camera to detect.
  • You can move around slowly to help the camera pick up more detail.
  • Place content in backgrounds that show a lot of detail and contrast, this make it easier for the SLAM algorithm to anchor to the real world.
  • Reposition at any time by using the “Place Content” option in the menu.

3. AR Settings Menu

In the WorkLink App, you will find an AR Settings menu to control how your tracking behaves:

1. AR Mode (On/Off)

   • Turning it Off switches to the Interactive 3D Mode (no camera tracking).
   • Turning it On enables Object, Image, or Surface Tracking (depending on your project).

2. Object Active Tracking (On/Off)

   • On: Continuously checks alignment with the physical object (improves accuracy but may affect performance).
   • Off: Uses SLAM after initial recognition, so content remains in place without constant object detection.

3. Image Active Tracking (On/Off)

   • On: Continuously checks alignment with the image target (allows repositioning if the image moves).
   • Off: Uses SLAM after initial placement, reducing continuous detection overhead.

4. Putting It All Together

1. Check Device Compatibility: Make sure your phone or tablet supports AR if you plan to use AR Modes. Otherwise, enjoy Interactive 3D Mode to explore the content without tracking.
2. Follow the Prompts: Each mode may have an on-screen guide. For new users, we recommend starting with Surface Tracking Mode for simplicity.
3. Use the AR Settings: Turn on Object Active Tracking or Image Active Tracking if you need constant tracking updates. Turn them off if you experience slow performance or want more stability after initial placement.
4. Experiment in Interactive Mode: If AR tracking is not an option, or you just want to explore the 3D model, switch AR Mode off and pan, zoom, and rotate in 3D.