Three different starting points
| Format | Presentation context | Questions before selecting it |
|---|---|---|
| Phone or tablet AR | Digital content presented with a camera view of the surrounding environment | Which devices, placement/tracking method and lighting conditions must work? |
| Headset VR | A headset-based virtual presentation | Who operates it, what space is available, and how will visitors start, finish and reset? |
| Screen-based interactive 3D | A model controlled on a screen with mouse, touch or other agreed input | Which screen, browser or application and input method will be used? |
Match the visitor’s question to the format
| Visitor needs to… | Format to consider | Check before committing |
|---|---|---|
| Understand the outside shape quickly | Physical display or shared-screen 3D | Viewing distance and whether interaction adds useful information |
| See a product in the surrounding space | AR on the proposed phone or tablet | Placement, tracking and the actual venue conditions |
| Look around a spatial scene | Headset VR | Comfort, supervision, space and visitor turnaround |
| Select and compare visible components | Screen-based interactive 3D | Touch targets, labels, reset and the display device |
| Follow a precise sequence without controls | Animation | Loop clarity, captions and the exhibition screen |
Treat this as a discussion aid, not a universal ranking. A format is useful when its strengths answer the visitor’s question within the booth’s operating constraints. Choosing a headset first and then searching for a reason to use it can add friction without improving the explanation.
Try the same product with a different kind of control
The Fabricator explorer has buttons for Overview, Controls, Printhead and Motion system, plus Reset view. A visitor can jump straight to the area they want to discuss instead of waiting for it in a video. Reset returns to the full product.
These are preset camera views. The controls do not operate a printer, place it in your room or start a headset experience. This is a useful distinction when choosing a format: a simple screen interaction may be enough for a component discussion, while spatial placement needs a different implementation.
Run a small trial before expanding the experience
Use one representative product and one meaningful task. Ask a person unfamiliar with the controls to begin, complete the task and return to the start. Observe where they hesitate. Record whether the issue comes from the interface, the product explanation or the hardware, because each needs a different correction.
Repeat the trial on the intended mobile device if mobile use is part of the requirement. A desktop mouse demonstration does not establish touch usability. Likewise, a browser rendering of a product does not prove real-world AR placement or headset operation.
Offer a useful alternative to the primary experience
Some visitors will prefer a quick explanation, cannot use the proposed device, or will arrive while it is occupied. Provide another route to the same core message: labelled stills, a captioned loop, a shared monitor or a presenter-led physical display. The alternative should explain the product rather than merely advertise that another experience exists.
Our browser product explorer lets you assess a specific screen-based interaction. Use it to discuss camera views and component visibility. For an actual AR or VR brief, separately confirm hardware, tracking, installation and event testing.
Write a device-specific brief
Record the product, device, actions, operator and deployment conditions. Use the planning checklist to turn the choice into a testable brief. For a broader mix of physical and digital outputs, see scale model, animation or VR. Discuss the appropriate output through Uplink’s exhibition experience service.
Sources and further reading
Primary references checked on 21 September 2026. These explain the relevant concepts; they do not establish our current inventory or a quoted capability.