SDK for Android Developer's Guide

Starting and Stopping LiveSight

It is important to make a distinction between the two operating modes provided by AndroidXCompositeFragment, Map Mode, and LiveSight Mode. Map Mode is the mode of operation that is the same as that provided by AndroidXMapFragment. As with AndroidXMapFragment, Map Mode behavior and functionality are as described under Maps. LiveSight Mode is the mode of operation that provides the LiveSight experience and has separate functionality and behavior.

Note: It may be confusing that the map is still displayed even when LiveSight Mode is enabled. While this map view is a part of the LiveSight experience, it has different functionality and behavior than Map Mode.
Figure 1. Map Mode
Figure 2. LiveSight Mode

To switch between Map Mode and LiveSight Mode, two methods from the ARController, start() and stop(), are used. The start() method triggers the transition from Map Mode to LiveSight Mode, which includes a short cinematic transition animation by default. Calling start() while already in LiveSight Mode results in Error.INVALID_OPERATION error code being returned. Use the stop() method to transition from LiveSight Mode to Map Mode. By default AndroidXCompositeFragment starts in Map Mode.

// Triggers the transition from Map Mode to LiveSight Mode
Error error = arController.start();
...
// Exits LiveSight Mode and returns to Map Mode
Error error = arController.stop(true);

Reading the Current Pose

The ARController provides a convenient way to retrieve the current positional and directional (pose) values of your LiveSight session. By calling ARController.getPose() you can retrieve the ARPoseReading instance which contains the following values:
  • Heading
  • Pitch
  • Roll
  • Latitude
  • Longitude
  • Altitude
  • Timestamp
Although these ARPoseReading values are derived from device sensors, they are interpolated and smoothed by the LiveSight engine.