Scanning & XR · Beginner

Mixed reality

Digital objects that share space with the real world and react to it

Also called MR

What is mixed reality?

Mixed reality, or MR, blends digital objects with the real world so they share the same space and react to it. A headset maps the room, so a virtual ball can bounce off your real table or hide behind your sofa. It sits between augmented reality and virtual reality, and the line between the terms is blurry.

Think of it like this

It is like a holographic houseguest who knows where your furniture is: they sit on your real chair and walk around your real table.

Where it fits in a 3D project

  1. Create
  2. Surface
  3. Rig
  4. Animate
  5. Render
  6. Export

Export: Saving and sharing the result: file formats, engines and printing.

How mixed reality works

  1. 01The headset scans the room and builds a rough 3D map of its surfaces.
  2. 02Cameras show you the real room, or you see it through clear lenses.
  3. 03Digital objects are placed in the map and lit to match the room.
  4. 04Because the device knows the furniture, objects can sit on, bounce off or hide behind it.

Mixed reality vs augmented reality

PropertyMixed realityAugmented reality
Usual deviceA headsetA phone, tablet or glasses
Digital objectsReact to real surfaces and objectsMostly placed on top of the view
HandsFree, often trackedUsually holding a phone

The terms overlap heavily: mixed reality usually means headset AR where digital objects interact with the room, while AR covers everything down to a phone filter.

Where mixed reality is used

  • Hands-free work instructions on factory floors
  • Reviewing full-size 3D designs in a real room
  • Games that turn your living room into a level

Beginner tip

Test mixed reality content in several real rooms. Light, clutter and room size vary a lot, and objects that look right in one space can float or clip in another.

Terms related to mixed reality

Mixed reality FAQ

What is XR?
XR, short for extended reality, is the umbrella term for augmented, mixed and virtual reality together. People use it when a product or job covers all three, or when the exact line between them does not matter.
What is passthrough in mixed reality?
Passthrough is when a headset’s outside cameras show you the real room on its screens, so it can mix digital objects into that video. Other devices use see-through lenses instead and draw digital objects on top.
Is mixed reality the same as augmented reality?
Close, and companies use the names differently. Mixed reality usually means digital objects that understand and react to the room, seen in a headset. AR is the broader term and includes simple phone overlays.

Updated October 29, 2026 · Browse all 3D terms