Import Monocle Scans into Reality Composer to create an AR animated Christmas card

Last Updated: 2025.Dec

Project Overview

In this guide, we'll create a Reality Composer AR scene that automatically aligns and animates on top of a physical Christmas card.

Check this guide and let's proceed together!

Why not download the files and give it a try!

Christmas Card AR Scene 3D Model Caf file

Reality Composer

What is Reality Composer?

Reality Composer is Apple's intuitive AR creation tool for iOS.

It allows anyone—even without 3D experience—to build interactive augmented-reality scenes using simple drag-and-drop controls. You can place 3D objects, add animations, create behaviors, and preview everything in real-world space directly through your iPhone or iPad.

Reality Composer makes it easy to prototype AR experiences or prepare 3D content for apps built with RealityKit.

Tutorial: How to import Monocle Scans into Reality Composer

The content is explained step-by-step with accompanying images.

Step 1: Download USDZ file from Monocle Gallery

Go to Monocle Gallery on your computer and log in ( https://gallery.monocle3d.com/ )
Select the model you want to use
Press the USDZ file button to download

Step 2: Save USDZ file to iCloud drive

Go to iCloud on your computer and log in ( https://icloud.com/ )
Go to your iCloud drive
Upload your USDZ file downloaded from Monocle Gallery

Step 3: Download app

Go to App Store on your iPhone or iPad
Download Reality Composer app

Step 4: Open app

Open Reality Composer app
Tap 'continue' button

Step 5: Tap '+' button

Tap '+' button in the top right corner to create a new project

Step 6: Select Project Type

Select the anchor type, Image anchor.
Convert physical images such as business cards and artwork into digital anchors to create AR experiences.

Step 7: Allow camera access

Grant Reality Composer camera access for AR experience

Step 8: Delete default cube

Long-press or double-tap the default cube to display the menu, then select and tap 'Delete'.

Step 9: Prepare image

Prepare image assets for image anchor by photographing business cards or illustrations with a camera.
Save image to the file app or iCloud Drive

Step 10: Set up image assets

Tap 'Square box icon' on the top menu bar
Select image assets and set up image as an anchor

Step 11: load models

Tap '+' button on the top menu bar in the viewer
Tap the + in the content library and select the USDZ file downloaded from Monocle Gallery.
Once loaded, the model will appear next to the +, and select it.
Similarly, add a ball from the shapes in the content library.

Step 12: Duplicate balls

After adding the default ball, double-tap or long-press the ball, select 'Duplicate', and create several balls.
Tap the 'square box icon from the top menu bar and adjust the size and position of each ball.

Step 13: Add behaviour

Tap the '...' button on the far right
Tap '+' button to add behavior
Add Trigger and select 'Scene Start'

Step 14: Add animation

Add action and select 'Show'
Tap one ball to select the affected objects.
Select 'Move from top' in the Motion Type section
Duration sets a random speed
Select 'Move from Above' in the Motion Type section
Select 'Ease In / Ease Out' in the Ease Type
Create multiple balls with randomly set duration, keeping all other parameters identical.

Step 15: Set the Loop

Tap the' ... 'button in the top-right corner of the overlay screen to turn on the loop sequence.
By setting a loop, you can create a scene where snow continues to fall endlessly.

Step 16: Add star model

Tap '+' button on the top menu bar in the viewer
Select and tap a star from within the content library

Step 17: Adjust star position

Select the added star and tap it, then use the Gizmo to adjust the star's position.
Alternatively, select the star model, tap the 'square box icon' in the top bar menu, and manually set the Transform paramaters
Star rotation X-axis is set to 90 degrees

Step 18: Set the star appearance

Set the star model's material to 'Glossy Paint'
Set the star model's colour to yellow
Set the diameter to 15 centimetres
Set the thickness to 30 centimetres
Set the inset to 0.6

Step 19: Duplicate star models

Duplicate approximately six to seven star models
Position the duplicated star models, each resized randomly.

Step 20: Add animation

Tap the '...' button on the far right
Tap '+' button to add behavior
Add Trigger and select 'Scene Start'
Add action and select 'Emphasize'
Tap all stars to select the affected objects
Set duration 4.55 sec
Select 'Spin' in Motion Type
Select 'Basic' in Style

Step 21: Set the Loop

Tap the '...' button in the top-right corner of the overlay screen to turn on the loop sequence.
By setting the loop, the animation where all the stars gradually spin faster repeats.

Step 22: Add text model

Tap '+' button on the top menu bar in the viewer
Select and tap Text from within the content library

Step 23: Adjust text position and appearance

Adjust Thickness 48% and Font Size 7.58cm
Set Bronze as the text material
Move the text to the centre of the card

Step 24: Add sound

Tap the '...' button on the far right
Tap '+ 'button to add behavior
Add Trigger and select 'Scene Start'
Add action and select 'Play Ambiance'
Select Christmas background music in the audio clip
To add new BGM to Reality Composer, you need to create a .caf file. You can download the file converted from the free asset's mp4 file to .caf format.

Step 25: Enjoy AR Christmas card animation! (V)

Prepare the image registered as an anchor in the real world
Go to AR mode
As the scene begins, Christmas background music plays, with the words 'Merry Christmas!!' and a snowman appearing on the card. An AR animation shows snow falling randomly and continuously, while stars spin round and round.

Step 26: Resole the issue

The lighting in Reality Composer's AR mode is dim, resulting in models appearing dark. To resolve the issue of this model appearing dark, use the iPhone's Files app.
Go to your iPhone Setting app
Find Reality Composer app
Turn on 'Enable USDZ format export'