GST[AR]
Geoscientific visualization
Free
GST[AR] allows you to browse, download, view, and share geological models in augmented reality.
Browse
Browse through available models and their features to find a nice selection to present in AR. Models are retrieved from running instances of GST Web. Don’t worry, there are default sources added already, so you can get started right away. Hint: If you see a „Visit“ button near a section of models, you can tap it to learn more about the institution that provides these models for you! When you select a model, you will find a list of features waiting for you. Make your selection and off you go to the AR view.
View
As soon as the features are downloaded, you will be able to place them on any horizontal surface in AR. Use gestures or sliders to rotate and scale your model. Tap on individual parts to learn about their name or use the legend to even highlight individual features. Superelevation is available via sliders as well!
Share
When you have placed a feature selection in AR, you get the option to share your session with others! Use the share button to let other peers join your session, synchronize your worlds and you will be looking at the same model in no time. Changes to the model rotation, scale and location will be synced automatically between all peers in the session. Hold down on a model to place your marker to point towards the feature of interest or highlight a certain feature via the legend for all other peers.
Settings and customization
Customize your experience by changing a couple of settings. In the settings menu, you will have the possibility to change aspects of scaling, how high the models float above the surface or even enable such cool features like "people occlusion" that make your AR scene even more immersive! Furthermore, if you want to access models from a GST Web instance that is not present in the app, you have the possibility to add endpoints of your own.
more It took a while, but GST[AR] finally makes use of Liquid Glass on iOS 26. Now you see more of your models with less space occupied by the user interface, especially on iPad.
1.2.0 May 27
With this update the gesture to rotate the model has been changed. Now you can rotate the model by dragging horizontally with one finger. That should be more intuitive and easier to use while holding the device with one hand.
We have also fixed a couple of issues with this version:
* Fixed an issue where the model would not appear in the same location in collaborative mode
* Fixed an issue where the rotation of the model would sometimes appear flipped
* Fixed an issue where the AR view would not show correctly after scanning a QR code on iPad
* Fixed an issue where the AR view would suddenly disappear on iPad
1.1.8 11/11/2025
We have updated the minimum required version of iOS to iOS 15. This allows us to use a couple of new features under the hood and prepares GST[AR] for the future.
1.1.7 10/15/2025
We have made some improvements to how the Z-offset is handled. You can now dynamically change it inside the AR view by swiping up or down with two fingers. This will also be synchronized in collaborative sessions! We have also added a little info dialog that explains this gesture and all the other ones that are available. Additionally, the app will now keep track of which QR code you scanned last, making it easier to reload a previously opened model again. We hope you enjoy using GST[AR]!
1.1.6 09/02/2025
Have you ever tried to convince a friend to try GST[AR] but they didn't want to download the app first? That will no longer be an issue because, with this update, we officially support app clips! This means that anyone with an iPhone or iPad can simply scan a QR code to download and view a model without going through the App Store first. Keep an eye on our blog, where we will provide more information on how to use this for your own website, conference poster, or presentation.
Furthermore, we won't abort the download process if one or more features cannot be accessed. We will simply visualize the features that could be loaded and, optionally, provide some information about any errors.
We hope you enjoy using GST[AR]!
1.1.5 10/18/2024
iOS 18 is here and we made sure that all things keep running smoothly. A couple of changes under the hood and a few small improvements that we had lying around insure that you are running the best version of GST[AR] there is!
Additionally in this version we have fixed an issue where some features could not be loaded and showed a 404 error.
1.1.4 09/25/2024
iOS 18 is here and we made sure that all things keep running smoothly. A couple of changes under the hood and a few small improvements that we had lying around insure that you are running the best version of GST[AR] there is!
1.1.3 09/24/2024
iOS 18 is here and we made sure that all things keep running smoothly. A couple of changes under the hood and a few small improvements that we had lying around insure that you are running the best version of GST[AR] there is!
1.1.2 09/18/2024
We are happy to release the largest update to GST[AR] yet! As always get in touch if you have any feedback or suggestions. We hope you enjoy GST[AR]!
Support for QR-codes
We have added new ways to add and open endpoints to the app. Whenever you encounter a GST[AR] QR-code you can just use the camera app to scan it. This allows you to quickly add an endpoint to the app or jump directly into a scene without having to type in the information by hand. Of course you are also able to share a model opened with such a QR-code with others using a collaborative session. Want to share an endpoint that you have stored on your device with a peer? Just simply tap the new QR-code symbol next to the URL and view the appropriate QR-code on your display. More information about the QR-codes and how to create them can be found on our blog. We want to do more with QR-codes in the future but we think that these first features come in handy already.
Feature toggling
It has taken us long enough but users are now able to hide and show individual features while staying immersed inside the AR view - no more reloading of the model required when that pesky DEM hides all the faulty goodness. Additionally any toggled features will be synchronized with every other peer in a collaborative session. This way we guarantee that you will always be talking about the same model with your friends and colleagues.
Themes
Users can now switch between themes to change the coloring of features according to a certain geoscientific scope. A new picker will show up within the AR view for every endpoint that provides one or more themes. A small legend will be shown that provides a label to every color that is visible in the scene to give more context. The legend can be minimized with a tap if it should cover up too much of the screen. Themes do not affect the order of models or features yet, but are synchronized in a collaborative session as well.
Exponential superelevation
We have switched the slider of the superelevation to an exponential scale which allows users to go from 1x up to a 20x superelevation. The previous maximum was 5x. We hope that this keeps both the granularity for the lower factors while providing higher factors for very flat or large scale models.
1.1.1 03/13/2024
We are happy to release the largest update to GST[AR] yet! As always get in touch if you have any feedback or suggestions. We hope you enjoy GST[AR]!
Support for QR-codes
We have added new ways to add and open endpoints to the app. Whenever you encounter a GST[AR] QR-code you can just use the camera app to scan it. This allows you to quickly add an endpoint to the app or jump directly into a scene without having to type in the information by hand. Of course you are also able to share a model opened with such a QR-code with others using a collaborative session. Want to share an endpoint that you have stored on your device with a peer? Just simply tap the new QR-code symbol next to the URL and view the appropriate QR-code on your display. More information about the QR-codes and how to create them can be found on our blog. We want to do more with QR-codes in the future but we think that these first features come in handy already.
Feature toggling
It has taken us long enough but users are now able to hide and show individual features while staying immersed inside the AR view - no more reloading of the model required when that pesky DEM hides all the faulty goodness. Additionally any toggled features will be synchronized with every other peer in a collaborative session. This way we guarantee that you will always be talking about the same model with your friends and colleagues.
Themes
Users can now switch between themes to change the coloring of features according to a certain geoscientific scope. A new picker will show up within the AR view for every endpoint that provides one or more themes. A small legend will be shown that provides a label to every color that is visible in the scene to give more context. The legend can be minimized with a tap if it should cover up too much of the screen. Themes do not affect the order of models or features yet, but are synchronized in a collaborative session as well.
Exponential superelevation
We have switched the slider of the superelevation to an exponential scale which allows users to go from 1x up to a 15x superelevation. The previous maximum was 5x. We hope that this keeps both the granularity for the lower factors while providing higher factors for very flat or large scale models.
1.1.0 02/22/2024
We have fixed some small visual glitches. Stay tuned for exciting news that will come soon!
1.0.13 09/28/2023
We have updated the app to run flawlessly on iOS 17 and made some under the hood improvements for the future. We hope you enjoy exploring models with GST[AR]!
1.0.12 09/20/2023
We improved some things under the hood!
1.0.11 05/25/2023
The app is now fully compatible with the newly released GST 3.11!
1.0.10 04/05/2023
Minor changes and improvements. We hope you enjoy GST[AR]!
1.0.8 11/28/2022
This update fixes an issue with the endpoint library where it would not accurately show changes made on the backend. Furthermore we have updated endpoint details to work with our new version of GST Web. Should you have an endpoint that is not working anymore after an update of GST Web, try removing and re-adding it via the library or manually add it again. Old versions of GST Web are still supported. Just make sure to use the old details when entering an endpoint manually.
1.0.7 04/22/2022
In this version we have added a small library of interesting public endpoints. This allows you to easily add and discover new sources of exciting geological models without having to type in all the details manually. This library can be found in the settings menu when you start to edit your current list of endpoints.
Furthermore we have squished some bugs and improved the performance of the app, especially in the menu. And if you are amongst the first to adopt the new and shiny version of GST Web, the app should be ready for you as well. Only minor adjustments to your endpoint should be necessary.
1.0.6 03/28/2022
We have updated the app to work perfectly with iOS 15.
1.0.5 10/15/2021
A couple of small bugs have been fixed.
1.0.4 05/12/2021
A bug has been fixed that could cause an endpoint to be added continuously on app start.
1.0.3 01/21/2021
Models
- We have added a new endpoint that shows you a detailed model of the Ore Mountains in Saxony/Germany. Tap "Visit" to learn more about the model, its creation, and the science behind it.
- We have added a preloaded model that is the perfect way to get familiar with the app! This simple model doesn't need to be loaded via an internet connection and is perfect for trying out all of the app's functions.
General
- It is now possible to download and run this app on iPad! We didn't want to hold this back from you any longer, but be wary, there might be some rough edges :)
- There are now individual reset buttons for endpoints and for general app settings. To add an endpoint, you now have to tap on "edit" first.
1.0.2 11/24/2020
Fixed an issue that would prevent certain endpoints from being parsed correctly.
1.0.1 10/30/2020
It took a while, but GST[AR] finally makes use of Liquid Glass on iOS 26. Now you see more of your models with less space occupied by the user interface, especially on iPad.
more Version 1.2.0 May 27
Data Not Collected The developer does not collect any data from this app.