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AMIRE provides a graphical authoring system for augmented reality (AR), or mixed reality (MR) applications, creating a connection network for AMIRE components using the AMIRE framework.
Graphical designers can create and test AR scenes because changes are immediately activated. AR techniques are used to support the authoring process.

Overview

AMIRE was funded by the European Union as an IST Logo project, see the project page for the partners and more information.

miniScreenshot
Click for full image (111k, 1024x768) 		The AMIRE system allows the Authoring of Mixed Reality (MR) applications without programming using a visual creation tool similar to other tools used for the creation of graphical contents.

Where to get

AMIRE is now hosted at SourceForge.net Logo where you will find everything else

Subsystems

AMIRE is composed of several subsystems:
Framework:
C++ based programming environment for components
Components:
building blocks for the functions needed in a AR scene
Authoring:
Visual user interface to create, test and save an AR scene
Scene XML format:
An AMIRE MR scene is defined by an XML description
Runtime:
Starter code to run an AR scene as an application
GEMs:
Database of software and programming techniques for MR/AR

AMIRE Framework

The AMIRE framework is a C++ based programming environment for the creation of augmented reality applications by connecting AMIRE components that use the AMIRE framework.

The component interface is currently realized by a collection of header files that are used to compile componets. There is not yet any preprocessor to support an IDL (Interface Definition Language).

The framework provides a number of support functions for the creation, inspection, connection and removel of AMIRE components.

AMIRE Components

AMIRE components are the building blocks for AR applications. They have interfaces that are connected to other components using the AMIRE framework. Thus, an AR scene is essentially an (XML based) specification of which components are used, how they are interconnected and what are their parameters.

AMIRE Authoring

AMIRE authoring is a visual programming environment that allows a graphical designer to select and interconnect AMIRE components in order to arrange an AR scene. The resulting AR scene becomes immediately active; there is no code-compile-test cycle.

AMIRE authoring is realized by a set of specialized components that handle user interaction, load components, set and inspect component parameters and saves or load a prepared scene.

Because the authoring system needs a rather

AMIRE scene format

A MR application is saved from the authoring system as a XML description, which can be either loaded into the authoring system again or run stand-alone usind the AMIRE runtime. Of course, the XML file can be created by any other means.

AMIRE Runtime

Once an AR scene has been created, tested and saved as an XML file, it can be activated without the authoring system using the AMIRE runtime. The AMIRE runtime is a small starter main program that activates the AMIRE framework and loads the AR scene from a given XML file.

AMIRE GEMs

AMIRE GEMs provide a reuse mechanism for MR application developers. In particular, during the creation of the AMIRE System, several libraries, function and techniques were noted in the database, as well as alternatives that were not chosen.

The GEMs Database is open for public access under http://amire.c-lab.de/

Supported Systems

The framework was designed to be independent of the operating system, but the currrent version of the authoring components are based on a Windows 2000/XP environment. A port of the framework to Windows CE is well on its way and may soon be ready for pilot use.

If you have any questions etc, please contact rglaschick@users.sourceforge.net