ARTools

ARTools is a collective name for software toolchains and libraries that enable augmented reality (AR) development. The tools provide components for camera calibration, marker or feature-based tracking, and the real-time rendering of virtual content overlaid onto live video. Internally, ARTools packages implement computer vision algorithms to estimate the pose of the camera relative to markers or scene features and to render 3D content in a manner consistent with perspective.

Most ARTools offerings are used by researchers, educators, and developers to prototype AR experiences. They typically support a range of platforms and programming languages, with core components written in C or C++ and bindings or wrappers for other languages. Functionality commonly includes marker generation and detection for fiducial markers or natural feature tracking; camera calibration utilities to estimate focal length, distortion, and principal point; pose estimation and stabilization to align virtual objects with the real world; rendering integration with graphics APIs such as OpenGL or DirectX; and calibration and testing tools, sample applications, and documentation.

The ARTools ecosystem has evolved through multiple forks and variants, with ARToolKit being a well-known historical influence. Over time, newer AR toolchains have emerged that address modern devices and sensors, while many ARTools projects remain in educational and research use. Licensing and activity levels vary by project, with some being actively maintained and others archived or superseded by commercial or cloud-based platforms.

See also: ARToolKit, ARCore, ARKit, OpenCV, fiducial markers.