So the difference between 4MB and 40MB would be enough for a potential user to move on before it even loads. This is because many places in the world don’t have access to fast mobile phone networks. The max size a filter can be is only 4MB. Many effects work well on both the front and rear cameras. Instead of using the front camera, world effects often use the rear camera, letting you look through your phone into an augmented world. Smile, nod, shake head, tilt head, mouth open Let’s see what all we can do with these capabilities. Body segmentation is different in that it outlines the body, much like a green screen setup, without actually tracking the position of the user’s body features. Face tracking follows both the face’s position and key facial landmarks like eyes, nose, and mouth. This often comes down to one of two features - face tracking and body segmentation. This is a blanket term that includes any effect that tracks the user’s movement. Let’s see what’s possible in these categories. In it, there are two main types of filters creators often build - face effects and world effects. Spark AR has only been around for a few years, but its capabilities have been steadily growing. The information will be specific to Spark AR and Instagram. The metrics for filters are quite astonishing.īelow, we’ll dive deeper into what’s possible (and forbidden) in AR. If the filter is enticing enough to continue spreading, it may be used by literally millions of people. If they then post a story with the filter, now all of their followers have a chance to see the filter. If someone watches an Instagram story that’s using a filter, they can instantly try the filter for themself.

The power of these filters lies within their inherently viral nature. I work exclusively in Spark AR Studio, making filters mostly for Instagram. Both have a similar set of features, but creators often specialize in just one platform. Snapchat has Lens Studio and Instagram/Facebook have Spark AR Studio. This concept has been fully realized on platforms like Snapchat and Instagram in the form of filters (also known as AR filters, face filters, effects, or specific to Snapchat - lenses).Įach platform has their own application to build these filters. Unlike virtual reality, which replaces your surroundings, AR adds on top of your surroundings. Augmented reality, or AR for short, is the addition of digital elements to the real world.

Instagram lens studio