In one general aspect, a method can include detecting a surface within a real-world area where the surface is captured by a user via an image sensor in a mobile device. The method can include receiving an augmented reality (AR) generation instruction to generate an AR anchor intersecting the surface within the real-world area where the AR anchor is at a target location for display of an AR object. The method can include defining a capture instruction, in response to the AR generation instruction and based on the intersection.