In the ”Augmentations” section of the book editing interface on ARTutor, users are presented with the capability to enhance their book with interactive elements (Figure 21). By clicking on the ”Add Augmentation” button, they can introduce new augmentative features to their book. Once added, these augmentations are listed, each accompanied by relevant information and several options for user interaction. Users can easily preview each augmentation to see how it integrates with the book, providing a firsthand look at the interactive experience. Additionally, there is the flexibility to edit any augmentation, allowing for adjustments and refinements to ensure each element aligns perfectly with the book’s content and intended user experience. Should the need arise, users also have the option to delete an augmentation, giving them complete control over the content and composition of their augmented book.

Figure 21: Book Augmentations Editing

Upon selecting the ”Add Augmentation” button, users are greeted with a detailed form to be filled out (Figure 22). This form is designed to capture key information that defines each augmentation, ensuring it is tailored to the book’s content and user experience.

Figure 22: Adding new Augmentation

The form includes several important fields:

1 Title: Users are prompted to provide a title for the augmentation, giving it a unique identifier

2 Description(Optional): This space allows for a brief explanation or overview of the augmentation, outlining its purpose or content.

3. Augmentation Type: This field provides users with a selection of diverse augmentation types to choose from, allowing them to pick the one that most suitably aligns with their content’s characteristics. The available augmentation options encompass a broad spectrum of formats, catering to various interactive needs. These include:

a) Images: Supporting formats such as PNG, JPG, and JPEG, enabling users to integrate visual elements into their book.

b) Video Files: Users can embed videos in formats like MP4 and AVI, adding  a dynamic, visual storytelling aspect.

c) 3D Model Files: Offering the capability to include three-dimensional models in GLB format, enhancing the depth and engagement of the content.

d) Website URL/HTML: Enabling the incorporation of web content or HTML code, providing an interactive and informative layer.

e) Audio Files: Allowing the addition of sound elements in MP3 format to create an auditory dimension.

⋆ Complex Augmentations: Complex Augmentations are special and they are created through the AR Experience Editor. Users can create and implement more sophisticated and intricate augmentations, elevating the interactive experience to new heights.

4. File: Once the ”Augmentation Type” is chosen, the process for adding the corresponding file varies based on the type selected. For URL/HTML augmentations, users are simply required to input the relevant link into the field that appears immediately below the selection. However, for all other augmentation types, except for Complex Augmentations, the user’s computer file explorer will automatically launch. This allows users to conveniently navigate and upload the specific file that is compatible with the chosen augmentation type, ensuring that the augmentation is properly supported by the appropriate media or content file.

5. Active Location (Optional): This feature allows users to set augmentations to activate at specific geographic locations. By selecting ”Activate location,” the ’Trigger Image’ option is disabled, and users can define the augmentation’s location using the field below (Figure 23).

Figure 23: Adding new Active Location Augmentation

Users can also set a point on the world map (Figure 24), accessible via the yellow icon.

Figure 24: Geographic location selection

6. Crop Button: The Crop Button is a highly useful tool that enables users to accurately define the trigger area for an augmentation within the PDF file. By clicking and dragging to create a rectangle on the desired point of the PDF, users can specify the exact region that will serve as the trigger image for the augmentation to appear (Figure 25).

Figure 25: Trigger image Selection

a) Current Page Indicator: Displays the current page number within the PDF.

b) Navigation Arrows: Back and forth arrows allow for easy movement between pages.

c) Zoom Controls: Users can zoom in and out for a closer look or a broader view of the page.

d) Restore Zoom: Resets the zoom level to the default view.

e) Page Number Entry: Directly jump to a specific page by typing its number.

f) Quick Navigation Buttons: Arrows for immediately going to the first or last page of the PDF.

g) Page Size Selection: Users can choose from standard sizes like A3, A4, A5, A6, B3, B4, B5, B6, or set a custom size for the PDF pages.

h) Trigger Area Save Indicator: Signifies when the cropped trigger area is ready to be saved.

i) Trigger Area Quality Assessment: This feature displays the selected trigger area and evaluates it’s the augmentability, indicating the suitability and effectiveness of the cropped section for augmentation purposes.

These features collectively provide a comprehensive and user-friendly interface for efficiently cropping and setting up trigger areas in the PDF.