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As Mixed Reality markets grow, how does a professional transition into this new technology field?
Although Mixed Reality has technically existed for quite some time, it's no question that this sleeping giant is awakening and providing new opportunities to various industries. New hardware and software is entering the wild, looking for app developers and producers. Some companies will see which way the wind is blowing, and adapt. Others won't, and perhaps lose their relevancy. But at the moment, there doesn't quite seem to be a job marketplace dedicated to mixed reality (PLEASE correct me if I'm wrong!).
So, how does someone in a related (or non-related) technical field transition over to into the realm or Mixed Reality?
For instance, I'm in wave 3 of the Hololens availability. I have nearly a decade of GIS experience. I'm a full-time worker, and Dad. but want to work on Hololens apps and games.
Best Answer
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james_ashley ✭✭✭✭
bbilbo1,
I've been trying to chart out this dev path for the past year along with others following the hololens closely (along with Oculus, Vive and so on). This is going to require a different skillset than what you have right now, and you're going to have to make a personal investment in time, money and energy to make it happen.
The biggest thing to be aware of is how different this is from the data entry applications you are most likely working on now. Here's four things you're going to have to get under your belt:
C++. This is the language of games and graphics engines. There's no real way to get around it. You're going to have to get comfortable with C++. (You may be able to do AR dev without it, but you'll hit a brick wall eventually.)
Unity -- I'm assuming you don't want to just pin your 2D apps into a 3D scene. If you want to do more than this, you're going to have to learn to use Unity and get a handle on 3D programming concepts. Keep in mind, 95% of Windows devs at this point still don't know what a frustum is.
You're going to have to learn math. Software devs amazingly don't know any even though most people assume that software development involves this somehow. 3D programming requires a lot of math. You need to get your trig down, to start. Then you need to know linear algebra. Finally you really need to get a handle on matrix math.
The last thing is you need to learn to respect visual design. 70% of the 3D experience is going to come down to good design, with only the last 30% being coding. Learn design concepts so you can talk to designers and then find some good ones. Also keep in mind that web designers aren't going to know how to build 3D experiences, either, so you're going to have to track down game UX designers or even industrial designers to partner with and learn from.
On the other hand, in five years, who wants to be left behind doing data entry apps when AR and VR is happening around you? The sooner you start, the better chance you have of finally getting those AR jobs of the future, IMHO.
James Ashley
VS 2017 v5.3.3, Unity 2017.3.0f3, MRTK 2017.1.2, W10 17063
Microsoft MVP, Freelance HoloLens/MR Developer
www.imaginativeuniversal.com7
Answers
For the time being, I would recommend first building up your skill set. To support developers in what's really a brand new field of technology, our team has put together some awesome content in our Holographic Academy.
Check it out and install the tools to get your dev pc ready for 3/30.
This is a great question. Exciting times ahead
Hey bbilbo1, you do raise very good point however it is going to up to us my friend to explore and map this exciting uncharted AR territory and point out the amazing opportunities i.e we holo-pioneers will help create and shape the market. I've spend the last year promoting the inevitable VAR revolution to all of my clients... I just hope now I can live up to the excitement I've generated lol
As Corey suggested the Holo Academy has some great getting started tutorials plus even without having the physical device you can still prepare right now by learning the basics of Unity and creating Windows 10 Universal Apps in Visual Studio 2015.
Good luck my fellow Holoneer I cant wait to see what your imagination creates ☺
bbilbo1,
I've been trying to chart out this dev path for the past year along with others following the hololens closely (along with Oculus, Vive and so on). This is going to require a different skillset than what you have right now, and you're going to have to make a personal investment in time, money and energy to make it happen.
The biggest thing to be aware of is how different this is from the data entry applications you are most likely working on now. Here's four things you're going to have to get under your belt:
C++. This is the language of games and graphics engines. There's no real way to get around it. You're going to have to get comfortable with C++. (You may be able to do AR dev without it, but you'll hit a brick wall eventually.)
Unity -- I'm assuming you don't want to just pin your 2D apps into a 3D scene. If you want to do more than this, you're going to have to learn to use Unity and get a handle on 3D programming concepts. Keep in mind, 95% of Windows devs at this point still don't know what a frustum is.
You're going to have to learn math. Software devs amazingly don't know any even though most people assume that software development involves this somehow. 3D programming requires a lot of math. You need to get your trig down, to start. Then you need to know linear algebra. Finally you really need to get a handle on matrix math.
The last thing is you need to learn to respect visual design. 70% of the 3D experience is going to come down to good design, with only the last 30% being coding. Learn design concepts so you can talk to designers and then find some good ones. Also keep in mind that web designers aren't going to know how to build 3D experiences, either, so you're going to have to track down game UX designers or even industrial designers to partner with and learn from.
On the other hand, in five years, who wants to be left behind doing data entry apps when AR and VR is happening around you? The sooner you start, the better chance you have of finally getting those AR jobs of the future, IMHO.
James Ashley
VS 2017 v5.3.3, Unity 2017.3.0f3, MRTK 2017.1.2, W10 17063
Microsoft MVP, Freelance HoloLens/MR Developer
www.imaginativeuniversal.com