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Campfire 3D

From VR & AR Wiki
Campfire 3D Holographic System
Basic Info
VR/AR Mixed Reality
Type AR/VR Collaboration System
Subtype Enterprise XR, Holographic Display
Platform Windows PC, Mac, iPad, Meta Quest 3
Creator Campfire
Developer Campfire
Manufacturer Campfire
Announcement Date May 2021 (stealth exit), May 2023 (collaboration system)
Release Date 2023
Price $1,500/user/year (enterprise), Freemium available
Website https://www.campfire3d.com/
Versions Campfire Console, Campfire Studio Console, Campfire Headset, Campfire Pack
Requires Windows PC with discrete GPU and Thunderbolt-3, or Mac/iPad for app
Predecessor None
Successor None announced
System
Operating System Windows 10+, macOS, iPadOS
Chipset PC GPU-powered (discrete graphics required)
CPU PC-dependent
GPU Discrete GPU required (PC)
Storage
Storage PC-dependent
Memory PC-dependent
SD Card Slot No
Display
Display Stereo displays (left/right) with visor reflection
Subpixel Layout Full color
Peak Brightness High
Resolution High-fidelity stereo
Pixel Density High
Refresh Rate Standard
Persistence Low persistence
Image
Field of View 92° diagonal
Horizontal FoV ~80°
Vertical FoV ~50°
Average Pixel Density High
Peak Pixel Density High
Foveated Rendering No
Optics
Optics Visor reflection (AR/VR swappable lenses)
Ocularity Binocular
IPD Range Adjustable
Adjustable Diopter No
Passthrough Yes (AR mode with clear lenses)
Tracking
Tracking 6DoF
Tracking Frequency High-speed
Base Stations Campfire Console (tabletop marker)
Eye Tracking No
Face Tracking No
Hand Tracking No
Body Tracking No
Rotational Tracking Yes
Positional Tracking Yes
Update Rate Real-time
Tracking Volume Console/Studio area
Play Space Tabletop or room-scale (Studio)
Latency Low latency
Audio
Audio No (via PC)
Microphone No (via PC/phone)
3.5mm Audio Jack No
Camera No (tracking via console)
Connectivity
Connectivity USB-C (Thunderbolt-3)
Ports USB-C
Wired Video Yes (from PC)
Wireless Video No
WiFi Via PC
Bluetooth Via PC
Power USB-C powered from PC
Battery Capacity N/A (PC-powered)
Battery Life N/A
Charge Time N/A
Device
Dimensions Headset + Console system
Weight Headset: Lightweight
Material Premium materials, magnetic lens attachment
Headstrap Adjustable headband
Haptics No
Color Professional black
Sensors Console tracking markers
Input Campfire Pack (phone controller), PC mouse/keyboard
Compliance Enterprise certified


The Campfire 3D Holographic Collaboration System is an enterprise mixed reality platform developed by Campfire, emerging from stealth in May 2021 and launching its holographic collaboration system in May 2023. With over 70 patents, Campfire addresses longstanding XR adoption challenges with a unique multi-component approach: a specialized headset with swappable magnetic lenses (opaque for VR, clear for AR) offering 92° diagonal field of view—more than four times the area of HoloLens and exceeding Magic Leap's FOV; a Campfire Console tabletop device that emulates a holographic projector with holograms appearing above it reliably for single or multi-user viewing; and the Campfire Pack that transforms an iPhone into an intuitive 3D controller, eliminating the learning curve of proprietary controllers. The system is designed for professional 3D design workflows, enabling teams to collaborate on 3D models across PC, Mac, iPad, and Meta Quest 3 platforms. Key features include support for 40+ 3D file formats, holographic avatars showing exactly what each participant is viewing, shareable scene links, and certification with Dell Precision Workstations for plug-and-play Thunderbolt-3 deployment. The Campfire Studio Console extends the system to large indoor spaces with modular floor mats for walk-around and walk-through experiences of vehicles, structures, and environments. Available with freemium access and enterprise plans starting at $1,500/user/year.

History and Development

Campfire Origins

Company background:

  • Enterprise XR focus
  • 70+ patents portfolio
  • Professional 3D workflows
  • Adoption challenge solution

May 2021 Stealth Exit

Initial announcement:

  • Product concept revealed
  • Design workflow focus
  • Enterprise positioning
  • Funding secured

$8 Million Funding

Investment:

  • Series funding raised
  • AR/VR development
  • Product design focus
  • Market expansion

May 2023 System Launch

Full availability:

  • Collaboration system release
  • Multi-platform app
  • Hardware availability
  • Enterprise deployment

Quest 3 Expansion

Platform growth:

  • November 2023 launch
  • Meta Quest 3 support
  • Expanded accessibility
  • Multi-device strategy

Design Philosophy

Holographic Collaboration

Core concept:

  • Shared 3D holograms
  • Multi-user viewing
  • Real-time collaboration
  • Design review focus

Ease of Use

Adoption priority:

  • Phone as controller
  • No learning curve
  • Intuitive interaction
  • Quick deployment

High Fidelity AR

Visual quality:

  • 92° diagonal FOV
  • 4x HoloLens area
  • Premium image quality
  • Face-to-face communication

Multi-Platform

Flexibility:

  • PC, Mac, iPad
  • Quest 3 support
  • Cross-platform collaboration
  • Device flexibility

System Components

Campfire Headset

Head-worn display:

  • Stereo left/right displays
  • Visor reflection optics
  • FOV: 92° diagonal
  • Magnetic lens swap (AR/VR)

Campfire Console

Tabletop device:

  • Holographic projector emulation
  • Desk/table placement
  • Reliable positioning
  • Multi-viewer support

Campfire Studio Console

Large-scale system:

  • Modular floor mats
  • Room-scale holograms
  • Walk-around capability
  • Environment visualization

Campfire Pack

Phone controller:

  • iPhone attachment
  • Intuitive 3D control
  • Back-of-phone mount
  • No learning curve

Display Technology

Stereo Display System

Optical design:

  • Two separate displays (L/R)
  • Visor reflection
  • Stereo 3D effect
  • Holographic visualization

Field of View

Visual coverage:

  • FOV: 92° diagonal
  • 4x HoloLens area
  • Leading AR FOV
  • Immersive viewing

Swappable Lenses

AR/VR flexibility:

  • Magnetic attachment
  • Clear lenses (AR)
  • Opaque lenses (VR)
  • Quick swap

3D File Support

Supported Formats

File compatibility:

  • 40+ 3D file types
  • Industry standard formats
  • CAD compatibility
  • Design tool integration

Scene Organization

Content management:

  • Model organization
  • Scene creation
  • Shareable links
  • Collaborative spaces

Collaboration Features

Holographic Avatars

User presence:

  • Personal avatars
  • View direction visible
  • Angle awareness
  • Spatial communication

Multi-User Viewing

Shared experience:

  • Single location
  • Multiple locations
  • Synchronized views
  • Real-time updates

Annotation Tools

Review capabilities:

  • Comment leaving
  • Concept explanation
  • Design review
  • Team communication

Platform Support

Desktop Applications

Supported systems:

  • Windows 10+
  • macOS
  • Full app functionality
  • Native experience

iPad Support

Mobile platform:

  • iPadOS app
  • Touch interface
  • Portable access
  • Meeting flexibility

Meta Quest 3

VR platform:

  • November 2023 launch
  • Standalone operation
  • Mixed reality support
  • Expanded accessibility

Hardware Requirements

PC Requirements

For headset use:

  • Discrete GPU required
  • Thunderbolt-3 port
  • USB-C connector
  • Windows 10+

Certified Hardware

Validated systems:

  • Dell Precision Workstations
  • Plug-and-play certified
  • Professional hardware
  • Enterprise reliability

Campfire Pack

Phone requirements:

  • Recent iOS device
  • Android support
  • Phone attachment
  • Controller functionality

Enterprise Applications

Product Design

Primary use:

  • 3D model review
  • Design iteration
  • Stakeholder presentation
  • Concept visualization

Engineering

Technical applications:

  • CAD review
  • Assembly visualization
  • Technical collaboration
  • Cross-functional teams

Architecture

Building design:

  • Structure visualization
  • Walk-through preview
  • Client presentation
  • Design approval

Automotive

Vehicle design:

  • Full-scale hologram
  • Studio Console use
  • Walk-around review
  • Design validation

Pricing

Freemium Model

Entry tier:

  • Free access available
  • Basic functionality
  • Trial capability
  • Evaluation option

Enterprise Plans

Professional tier:

  • Starting price: $1,500/user/year
  • Full functionality
  • Enterprise features
  • Support included

Comparison with Enterprise Collaboration XR

Feature Campfire 3D HoloLens 2 Magic Leap 2 Quest 3 (Horizon)
Type Holographic collaboration Standalone AR Standalone AR Standalone VR/MR
FOV 92° diagonal 52° 70° 110° (MR)
Primary Use Design collaboration Enterprise AR Enterprise AR General VR/MR
Multi-user Built-in App-dependent App-dependent App-dependent
PC Required Yes (headset) No No No
Phone Controller Yes (Pack) No No No
3D File Support 40+ formats App-dependent App-dependent App-dependent
Price $1,500/yr/user $3,500 $3,299 $499 + app

Strengths and Limitations

Strengths

  • 92° diagonal FOV (4x HoloLens)
  • 70+ patents (proprietary technology)
  • Swappable AR/VR lenses (magnetic)
  • 40+ 3D file format support
  • Phone as controller (no learning curve)
  • Console provides reliable hologram anchoring
  • Studio Console for room-scale
  • Multi-platform (PC/Mac/iPad/Quest 3)
  • Holographic avatars for collaboration
  • Dell Precision certified

Limitations

  • Headset requires PC with discrete GPU
  • Thunderbolt-3 port required
  • Tethered headset operation
  • $1,500/user/year enterprise cost
  • Specialized for design workflows
  • Console/Studio required for best experience
  • Limited consumer appeal
  • Enterprise-focused ecosystem

Technical Specifications Summary

Specification Details
FOV 92° diagonal
Lenses Magnetic swap (AR clear/VR opaque)
Display Stereo visor reflection
3D Formats 40+ supported
PC Requirement Discrete GPU, Thunderbolt-3
Platforms Windows, macOS, iPadOS, Quest 3
Controller Campfire Pack (phone mount)
Console Tabletop holographic anchor
Price $1,500/user/year (enterprise)
Certification Dell Precision Workstations

See Also

References