What is Virtual try-on?
Virtual try-on is the umbrella category for any digital technology that lets a shopper visualize a product on themselves before purchase, including AR overlay, 3D model viewers, and photo-based simulation.
The longer answer
Virtual try-on covers several distinct technologies. AR try-on uses the live camera and overlays a 3D model in real time. Photo try-on uses an uploaded image and composites a product onto it. Avatar try-on builds a 3D body model and dresses it virtually. For jewelry, where pieces are small and reflective, AR try-on with PBR materials produces the most convincing result.
Why it matters
Categorization matters because each approach has different friction and quality. AR try-on is the gold standard for jewelry because shoppers see the piece moving with them; photo try-on is faster but less convincing; avatar try-on is most common in apparel.
How it works
Live AR try-on uses a camera, computer vision tracking, and 3D rendering. Photo try-on uses an uploaded image, segmentation to find the body part, and 2D or 3D compositing. Avatar try-on uses a sized 3D body, garment simulation, and a renderer. Any approach works only as well as the underlying 3D asset.
Where this fits in WearRoom
WearRoom is a live AR try-on built specifically for jewelry. We chose the live AR path because jewelry only convinces when light moves on it the way it moves in real life. Static composites cannot do that.
Questions
Is virtual try-on the same as AR try-on?
AR try-on is a subset of virtual try-on. All AR try-on is virtual try-on, but virtual try-on also includes photo-based and avatar-based approaches.
Which form works best for jewelry?
Live AR try-on with PBR materials. Jewelry reads as fake unless light moves on it, and only live AR can show that.