AirCoaster for Apple Vision Pro is a fascinating fusion of roller coaster construction and visual artistry, serving as a playground for those with a penchant for designing enthralling, mind-bending rollercoaster experiences. The app presents a robust track editor that transforms into an artistic tool in the hands of a skilled user, allowing the creation of thrilling and psychedelic motion experiences. The comprehensive editor provides immense flexibility, enabling users to craft experiences limited only by their imagination.
One of the standout features of AirCoaster is its extensive collection of tracks created and uploaded by a dedicated user community. This community is rich with talent, featuring members who have been with AirCoaster since its inception on the iPhone 3G and the first iPad. The shared creations range from hyper-realistic recreations of real-life roller coasters to surreal, physics-defying fantasy rides. These user-generated tracks can serve as inspiration for your own designs, encouraging you to take AirCoaster to unprecedented levels.
Recent improvements to AirCoaster enhance the user experience tremendously. Notably, you can now fully immerse yourself in rides with Apple Vision Pro in rich 3D, thanks to a revamped HDR engine built from scratch using Apple’s Metal technology. The integration with iCloud allows users to manage their rollercoaster files seamlessly, ensuring that your creations are always accessible.
The track editor has received significant updates as well. New features requested by experienced users, such as riding tracks from the current segment and moving trees up and down, have been added. Additionally, creative possibilities have been expanded with options like making tracks, tunnels, and supports translucent. Other enhancements include the ability to select, copy, and paste multiple trees at once, intelligent camera rotation that keeps your content centered, and the convenience of centering the camera on any segment or tree with a double tap. Sharing your favorite tracks has also been simplified with web link sharing, and the community-run Discord server offers a platform for collaboration and exchange of tips and tricks.
AirCoaster is developed by Ziconic and is available for free, making it accessible to a wide range of users. While the app boasts many strengths, users have provided mixed reviews that highlight areas for improvement. For instance, some users find the sounds to be unrealistic, pointing out that the lift chain and the track navigation sounds could be more accurate. There are also suggestions for expanding the track editor with options for different coaster types and more intuitive ways to create lift hills and other roller coaster elements.
Despite these critiques, many users express their love for AirCoaster, emphasizing its simplicity and the sense of community it fosters. Long-time users appreciate the app’s flexible editor, which allows for the creation of both realistic and fantastical roller coaster experiences. The community aspect, where users can upload, download, and rate tracks, adds a social dimension that many find engaging and supportive.
Some users suggest adding new features, such as a collaboration mode where multiple people can work on a roller coaster together or a theme park mode where users can operate rides and manage virtual guests. These ideas reflect a desire to expand the interactive and communal aspects of the app further.
Other reviews highlight challenges with the camera controls in the editor, noting that they can be cumbersome and unintuitive. Users have suggested improvements to make camera handling more straightforward, which would enhance the overall user experience.
AirCoaster is praised for its realistic track builder and the vibrant, supportive community it has cultivated. It is a must-have app for anyone interested in creating roller coasters or exploring roller coasters as a form of visual art. Despite some areas for improvement, it remains one of the best mobile coaster design applications available, offering endless possibilities for creative expression and community interaction.
