Snapchat now has a standalone application for making AI Gen Gen augmented reality effects
Snapchat has been using generated AI-powered augmented reality lenses in its applications over the past few years. Now, the company allows users to use a new standalone app to create their own AR effects.
SNAP is introducing a new version of its Lens Studio software, which allows anyone to create AR lenses with text prompts and other simple editing tools and publish them directly to Snapchat. So far, Lens Studio is available only as a desktop application for developers and AR professionals. Although the new iOS app and web versions aren’t that powerful, it offers a wide range of facial and body deformation effects thanks to the generated AI.
“These are experimental new tools that are easier than ever to create, publish and play Snapchat footage,” the company explained in a blog post. “Now you can produce your own AI effects, add dancing Bitmoji to the fun, and express yourself with lenses that reflect your mood or internal jokes – whether you’re on the go or near your computer.”
Snap let me get to know the Lens Studio iOS app early and I was pleasantly surprised by the flexibility it provides. There are AI-powered tools that can change your face, body, and background with detailed text prompts (the app also provides suggestions for tips that work well, such as “detailed zombie head and nose, big nose and nose, lots of details.”)
There are some learning curves to figure out which effect works, while some generated AI tips can take 20 minutes to render. But the app also offers dozens of templates that you can use as a starting point and mix with your own ideas. You can also make simpler facial-changing filters that don’t rely on AI, but instead take advantage of popular Snapchat effects such as facial incisions or Bitmoji animations. (There are some examples of my work below, both of which create backgrounds that I overwrite other effects using AI.)
Snap already has thousands of lens creators, some of whom have been working for the app for years. But I can easily see this new, simpler lens studio opening doors for more people. Creators who want to take advantage of Snapchat’s monetization program may also have some benefits: The company confirmed that users who release footage from new apps will be eligible for their lens creators rewards program, which pays for creators who create popular AR effects.
The more accessible version of Lens Studio can also help compete with Meta for AR talent. (Meta shuts down Spark AR, a platform that allows creators to make AR last year. Recently, Snap has focused on big-name developers to play with glasses, but the company has previously tended to offer interesting use cases for AR glasses. What these types of integrations may require are the integrations currently available in a new version of Lens Studio, but making AR Creation easier to access (with the help of AI) brings some interesting possibilities for the company that might one day possible.
Jim Lanzone, CEO of Engadget’s parent company Yahoo, joined the board of directors on September 12, 2024 at SNAP.
