Exploring Factors Influencing Visual Realism in Augmented Reality User Experience

This study investigates the key factors that affect visual realism in Augmented Reality (AR) user experience. Recognizing the importance of visual realism in enhancing user engagement and integrating virtual elements into the real world, we embarked on a comprehensive exploration of these factors. Our study included an extensive literature review, identifying key parameters beyond conventional elements. A structured questionnaire was designed to systematically capture users’ perceptions, involving participants from diverse backgrounds engaging with simulated AR scenarios. Our research carefully adjusted variables such as light(type, intensity, color), shadows(intensity, direction), material properties(texture, roughness), depth occlusion, field of view (FoV), gamma correction value, and high dynamic range(HDR), and categorized participants based on their experience with rendering software to ensure a targeted analysis. Our results showed that various rendering variables all played a role in influencing users’ perception of visual realism in AR. Notably, among these variables, light source color and shadows direction had a relatively minor impact compared to others, while material texture and roughness had the most pronounced effects on visual realism perception. Furthermore, our results indicated that users’ prior experience with rendering software had no significant influence on their judgments of visual realism. The study contributes to the understanding of factors impacting visual realism in AR, providing valuable insights for refining AR application design and development and optimizing user engagement and satisfaction.