Snapchat's parent company, Snap Inc. (SNAP.N), launched a new set of generative AI tools on Tuesday. These tools will enable users to create more realistic special effects when using their phone cameras. The aim is to stay ahead of competitors in the social media space.
Snap has been a leader in augmented reality (AR), which adds digital effects to real-world photos or videos. Although Snap is smaller than rivals like Meta (META.O), it hopes that advanced, playful special effects, known as lenses, will attract more users and advertisers to Snapchat.
Now, AR developers can create AI-powered lenses, and Snapchat users can incorporate these lenses into their content. Snap also unveiled an upgraded version of its developer program, Lens Studio. This tool allows artists and developers to create AR features for Snapchat and other platforms.
Bobby Murphy, Snap's Chief Technology Officer, explained that the enhanced Lens Studio significantly reduces the time needed to create AR effects, from weeks to just hours, allowing for more intricate designs.
"The exciting part is that these tools expand the creative possibilities while being user-friendly, so even beginners can quickly create something unique," Murphy said.
The updated Lens Studio includes new generative AI tools, such as an AI assistant to help developers with questions and a tool that generates three-dimensional images from text prompts, eliminating the need to create 3D models from scratch.
Previously, AR technology could only handle simple effects, like placing a hat on someone's head in a video. Snap's new advancements allow for more realistic lenses, like having the hat move naturally with the person's head and match the video's lighting.
Murphy also mentioned that Snap plans to develop full-body AR experiences, such as generating new outfits, which is currently a complex task.
Key Points
New AI Tools for Realistic Effects:Ā Snap Inc. introduced new generative AI tools to create more realistic special effects for Snapchat, aiming to stay ahead in the social media competition.
Enhanced Lens Studio:Ā The updated Lens Studio allows developers to create advanced AR features much faster, reducing creation time from weeks to hours, and includes tools like an AI assistant and text-to-3D image generation.
Advanced AR Capabilities:Ā Snap's advancements now enable more lifelike AR effects, such as hats moving naturally with a personās head and matching lighting in videos, with plans to create full-body AR experiences like new outfits.
FAQs
Q1. What new AI tools did Snap Inc. launch?
Snap Inc. launched new generative AI tools designed to create more realistic special effects for Snapchat users. These tools allow for advanced, lifelike augmented reality (AR) features that enhance user experience and attract more users and advertisers to the platform.
Q2. How does the updated Lens Studio benefit developers?
The updated Lens Studio significantly reduces the time needed to create AR effects from weeks to just hours. It includes an AI assistant for help and a tool to generate 3D images from text prompts, making it easier and faster for developers to create intricate AR designs.
Q3. What are the new capabilities of Snap's AR technology?
Snap's new AR technology can handle more realistic effects, such as hats moving naturally with a personās head and matching video lighting. This represents a significant improvement over previous capabilities, which were limited to simpler effects.
Q4. How will these new tools impact Snapchat users?
These new tools will allow Snapchat users to incorporate more advanced and realistic AR lenses into their content, enhancing their creative possibilities. The user-friendly tools make it possible even for beginners to create unique and intricate AR effects quickly.
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