Developing mixed reality applications in connection with a virtual development environment

A method in a first computing device for developing a mixed reality application in a virtual development environment, the method comprising:

• receiving reference data corresponding to a physical reference object and captured by a second computing device distinct from the first computing device;
• generating, based on the reference data, a reference model for the virtual development environment;
• receiving, via a graphical user interface, first input specifying an arrangement of an anchor with the reference model and a virtual artifact in the virtual development environment;
• receiving, via a graphical user interface, second input specifying an animation to apply to the virtual artifact;
• and
• using the arrangement in the virtual development environment to construct the mixed reality application usable to display, in response to detecting an instance of the anchor in a physical environment, the reference model and the animated virtual artifact in accordance with the arrangement in the virtual development environment.

One or more memories collectively storing instructions that, when executed by one or more processors in a computing system, cause the one or more processors to perform a method, the method comprising:

• receiving a reference model corresponding to a physical object;
• displaying the reference model in a virtual development environment;
• receiving first input arranging an anchor with the reference model in the virtual development environment;
• receiving second input specifying an animation to apply to the reference model;
• and
• using the arrangement in the virtual development environment to construct a mixed reality application usable to display, in response to detecting an instance of the anchor in a physical environment, the animated reference model in accordance with the arrangement in the virtual development environment.