Snapchat Launches New Lens Studio for Creating AI-Powered AR Effects

Snapchat has been experimenting with generative AI-powered augmented reality lenses in its app for the last couple of years. Now, the company is allowing users to make their own with a new standalone app for creating AR effects.

Introduction of Lens Studio Software

Snap is introducing a new version of its Lens Studio software that allows anyone to create AR lenses through text prompts and other simple editing tools, and publish them directly to Snapchat. Up to now, Lens Studio has only been available as a desktop app meant for developers and AR professionals. While the new iOS app and web version are not as powerful, they offer a wide range of face-altering and body-morphing effects thanks to generative AI.

Features of the New Lens Studio

“These are experimental new tools that make it easier than ever to create, publish, and play with Snapchat Lenses made by you,” the company explains in a blog post. “Now, you can generate your own AI effects, add your dancing Bitmoji to the fun, and express yourself with Lenses that reflect your mood or an inside joke—whether you’re on the go or near your computer.”

Snap provided an early look at the Lens Studio iOS app, revealing a surprising amount of flexibility. The app includes AI-powered tools for transforming your face, body, and background via detailed text prompts. Additionally, the app offers suggestions for effective prompts, such as “detailed zombie head with big eyes and nose, lots of details.”

Learning Curve and Templates

There is a learning curve to understanding what works well for each type of effect, and some of the generative AI prompts can take up to 20 minutes to render. However, the app also provides dozens of templates that users can utilize as a starting point and remix with their own ideas. Users can also create simpler face-altering filters that do not rely as heavily on AI but take advantage of popular Snapchat effects like face cutouts or Bitmoji animations. A few examples of creations made using the app are shown below, both utilizing AI to create a background that overlays other effects.

Impact on Lens Creators

Snap already has hundreds of thousands of lens creators, some of whom have been making effects for the app for years. The new, simpler version of Lens Studio is expected to open the door for many more creators. There could also be benefits for creators looking to take advantage of Snapchat’s monetization programs. The company confirmed that users who publish lenses from the new app will be eligible to participate in its Lens Creator Rewards program, which compensates creators who develop popular AR effects.

Competition with Meta

A more accessible version of Lens Studio could also help Snap compete with Meta for AR talent. Meta’s shut down Spark AR platform allowed creators to make AR for Instagram last year. In addition to Snapchat’s in-app effects, the company is now on its second generation of standalone AR glasses. Recently, Snap has focused on collaborating with prominent developers to create glasses-ready effects. However, the company has previously leaned on Lens Creators explored innovative use cases for AR glasses. These types of integrations will likely require more advanced features than what is currently available in the new streamlined version of Lens Studio. Nevertheless, making AR creation more accessible with the help of AI raises intriguing possibilities for the company’s future.

Jim Lanzone, the CEO of Engadget’s parent company Yahoo, joined the board of directors at Snap on September 12, 2024. No one outside of Engadget’s editorial team has any say in our coverage of the company.

This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/social-media/snapchat-now-has-a-standalone-app-for-making-gen-ai-augmented-reality-effects-170036214.html?src=rss