How-to guide

How to Create a 360 Video AR Experience

The `360 Video` content type in ARLOOPA Studio is the immersive video path for teams that need panoramic motion instead of a still 360 scene. After choosing the main AR format, select `360 Video`, upload the video file, and then test how the playback behaves inside the chosen AR flow. This route is useful when the viewer should feel surrounded by a moving environment, not just shown a flat clip or a static panorama.

360 video content type option in the create flow

Best for

Immersive tourism previews, cultural storytelling, education, branded experiential media, and any scene where panoramic motion adds value.

Watch out for

360 video is heavier than most other media paths, so onboarding and load expectations need to be managed carefully.

ARLOOPA fit

ARLOOPA Studio gives teams a direct no-code path into immersive video without needing a separate specialized workflow outside the builder.

Use case fit

When the 360 video type is the better content option

Choose 360 video when the environment should move and evolve around the viewer. This is a better fit than 360 image when the story depends on motion, presence, or a timed reveal rather than just atmosphere.

It is most valuable when the surrounding media itself is the experience. If the user only needs one still scene or one short flat explanation, other content types are usually simpler.

•Use it for immersive scenes where movement matters.
•Choose it when a still panorama would lose too much of the story.
•Avoid it for simple messages that do not justify a heavier immersive video file.

Studio steps

How to create a 360 video AR experience in Studio

Follow these steps in order. If you are new to Studio, finish one screen before you move to the next one.

Start by clicking `Create experience`. Then choose the main AR type that matches your project. After that, Studio will show the content-type screen where you can pick the asset format you want to use.

You cannot open the experience on a real phone until it is published. Before that, use the Studio preview to check the setup and fix mistakes.

1Click `Create experience` in Studio.
2Choose the main AR type that matches your project. Use `Marker-Based AR` for printed triggers, `Markerless AR` for surface placement, `Location-Based AR` for a map point, `Geospatial AR` for a landmark or VPS project, and `Face Tracking` for selfie effects.
3If Studio asks for a destination or provider first, choose that and continue to the content-type screen.
4Click `360 Video` in the content-type list.
5Upload the panoramic video file and wait for the preview to load completely.
6Review the result in Studio and fix anything that looks wrong before you publish.
7Click `Publish` to generate the live experience.
8Open the published experience on a real phone, play the immersive video, and confirm that loading and first motion both feel worth the wait.

Preparation

What to prepare before using 360 video

A 360 video should justify its weight. If the experience only needs a short explanation, a normal video or 360 image may publish faster and convert better. Use the immersive video route when panoramic motion genuinely adds meaning, not just novelty.

It also helps to edit the opening seconds carefully. The audience needs a reason to stay in the immersive view long enough for the format to pay off.

•Use 360 video only when the motion and environment both matter.
•Optimize the file so mobile playback is realistic in the target context.
•Plan the opening seconds so the audience understands why the immersive format matters.
•Test on the same device class and network conditions expected at launch.

Launch guidance

Where 360 video AR usually works best

This route fits destination storytelling, experiential campaigns, immersive education, and culture-led AR where the surrounding motion is part of the core message. It can be powerful, but it should be used selectively because it is heavier than simpler asset types.

When the use case is narrower, teams usually get a better operational result from normal video, 360 image, or 3D instead.

•Immersive tourism and destination content.
•Cultural or educational storytelling with environmental motion.
•Experiential brand content that benefits from panoramic movement.
•High-impact pilots where immersive media is central to the concept.

FAQ

How to Create a 360 Video AR Experience FAQ

What is the difference between 360 Video and normal Video in Studio?

Normal video is a flat clip, while 360 Video creates an immersive moving environment around the viewer.

When should I use 360 video instead of 360 image?

Use 360 video when motion is necessary to the story or atmosphere. Use 360 image when a still immersive scene is enough.

What is the main challenge with 360 video?

The main challenge is balancing immersive value against heavier file size and longer load expectations.

Where does 360 Video appear in the create flow?

It appears as a content-type option after you select the main AR format.

Next step

Need help turning a how-to guide into a launch plan?

Use pricing and a live demo to validate the workflow, publishing path, and rollout scope before you build at full scale.

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