| layout | title | description | author | ms.author | ms.date | ms.topic | ms.localizationpriority | keywords |
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LandingPage |
Learn the tools and architecture |
Learn about the mixed reality development tools you'll need to get started making apps for HoloLens and immersive headsets. |
grbury |
grbury |
12/9/2020 |
overview |
high |
Mixed Reality, develop, development, HoloLens, unity, unreal, directx, mixed reality headset, windows mixed reality headset, virtual reality headset, what is virtual reality, what is augmented reality, virtual reality development, augmented reality development |
Mixed Reality is a big place, a nexus where real and virtual worlds collide with a bang. The possibilities are endless, and it starts with you. Choose your engine, download your tools, and dust off your keyboard. Welcome to the Mixed Reality ecosystem - it's time to create.
Unity - Unity is one of the leading real-time development platforms on the market, with underlying runtime code written in C++ and all development scripting is done in C#. Whether you're looking to build games, movies and animation cinematics, or even render architectural or engineering concepts in a virtual world, Unity has the infrastructure to support you.
Unreal - Unreal Engine 4 is a powerful, open source creation engine with full support for mixed reality in both C++ and Blueprints. As of Unreal Engine 4.25, HoloLens support is full-featured and production-ready. With capabilities such as the flexible Blueprints Visual Scripting system, designers can virtually use the full range of concepts and tools generally only available to programmers. Creators across industries can leverage the freedom and control to deliver cutting-edge content, interactive experiences, and immersive virtual worlds.
Native (OpenXR) - OpenXR is an open royalty-free API standard from Khronos that provides engines native access to a wide range of devices from vendors across the mixed reality spectrum. You can develop using OpenXR on a HoloLens 2 or Windows Mixed Reality immersive headset on the desktop. If you don't have access to a headset, emulators for HoloLens 2 and Windows Mixed Reality headsets are available.
There are several development paths you can take through our documentation. The first step is finding the technology that's right for you. If you already have one in mind, go ahead and jump right to its respective tab below. If you're on the fence or just starting out, take a look through each one and understand what they offer, the available platforms and tools, and start creating!
Important
Take a look at our porting guides overview if you have existing projects that you want to bring over to HoloLens 2 or immmersive VR headsets like the Reverb G2. We have guides for projects that are using HTK, MRTK v1, SteamVR or were developed for immersive headsets such as the Oculus Rift or HTC Vive.
Now that you have a technology path in mind, let's equip you with the tools you need to start your journey.
[!div class="nextstepaction"] Install the tools