One of my Image Targets works in Unity preview but doesn’t work in the app?

Welcome to the world of augmented reality (AR) development, where the thrill of bringing your vision to life can sometimes be marred by frustrating errors! If you’re reading this, chances are you’re stuck on a peculiar issue – one of your Image Targets works flawlessly in the Unity preview, but stubbornly refuses to cooperate when you build and run the app on your device. Fear not, dear developer, for we’re about to dive into the troubleshooting process together!

The Environment: Unity 2022.3.21f1, Mac Pro 2023

Before we begin, let’s take a step back and acknowledge the environment. You’re working with Unity 2022.3.21f1 on a shiny new Mac Pro 2023. It’s essential to consider the specific setup, as it might help pinpoint potential culprits. Take a deep breath, and let’s get started!

Step 1: Verify Image Target Settings

When dealing with Image Targets, it’s crucial to ensure that the settings are correct. Double-check the following:

• ImageTarget.name: Is the name of your Image Target correctly set in the Inspector?
• ImageTarget.size: Are the dimensions of your Image Target accurate?
• ImageTarget.type: Is the type set to the correct format (e.g., JPG, PNG, etc.)?

Step 2: Inspect the Image Texture

Unity has specific requirements for Image Textures. Make sure:

• The Image Texture is in a Power of 2 size (e.g., 256×256, 512×512, etc.).
• The Image Texture is in a suitable format (e.g., RGBA, RGB, etc.).
• The Image Texture is not compressed (try switching to an uncompressed format like PNG).

Step 3: Check the AR Camera Settings

The AR Camera is responsible for detecting the Image Target. Ensure:

• The AR Camera is enabled and active in your scene.
• The AR Camera’s Camera.stereoEnabled is set to false.
• The AR Camera’s CameraTargetFinder.mode is set to SingleImageTarget.

Step 4: Validate the Image Target in the Scene

In your scene, check that:

• The Image Target is correctly assigned to the AR Camera’s targetFinder.
• The Image Target is positioned and scaled correctly in the scene.
• The Image Target is not occluded by other objects or layers.

Step 5: Investigate Device and Platform Settings

Sometimes, the issue lies outside of Unity. On your Mac Pro 2023, ensure:

• The device (e.g., iPhone or iPad) has the necessary permissions for camera access.
• The device is running the correct version of the operating system.
• ARKit or ARCore is supported on your device and platform.

Step 6: Review and Compare with Working Targets

Compare the settings and configurations of the problematic Image Target with a working one:

• Check for differences in the Image Target settings, texture, and material.
• Verify that the working Image Target is correctly assigned to the AR Camera.
• Swap the working and problematic Image Targets to isolate the issue.

Step 7: Test and Debug

It’s time to put your detective hat on and get hands-on with debugging:

• Enable the Debug.Log statements in the Image Target script to monitor its behavior.
• Use the Unity Editor’s built-in debugging tools (e.g., the Debugger, Console, and SceneHierarchy) to identify potential issues.
• Try testing on a different device or platform to rule out device-specific problems.

Additional Troubleshooting Tips

Still stuck? Here are some additional tips to help you troubleshoot:

• Check the Unity Console for errors or warnings related to the Image Target or AR Camera.
• Verify that the AR Camera and Image Target are correctly configured for the target platform (e.g., iOS or Android).
• Try resetting the Unity project or reinstalling the Unity Hub.
• Reach out to the Unity community, forums, or documentation for further guidance.

Conclusion

By methodically following these steps and verifying your Image Target settings, you should be able to identify and resolve the issue. Remember, troubleshooting is an iterative process, and it may take some trial and error to find the root cause. Don’t be afraid to think outside the box (or in this case, the Unity Editor)! If you’re still struggling, feel free to share more details about your project, and I’ll do my best to help you troubleshoot.

Remember, in the immortal words of Sherlock Holmes:
"The world is full of obvious things which nobody by any chance ever observes."
Observe, experiment, and debug your way to a working Image Target!

Unity Version	2022.3.21f1
Device	Mac Pro 2023
Image Target Type	JPG, PNG, etc.
AR Camera Settings	StereoEnabled = false, CameraTargetFinder.mode = SingleImageTarget

Stay calm, stay patient, and happy debugging! If you have any further questions or need additional guidance, please don’t hesitate to ask.

Frequently Asked Question

Having trouble with your Image Target in Unity? Don’t worry, we’ve got you covered! Check out these common issues and their solutions to get your Image Target working smoothly in your app.