Snapchat rolled out a host of new AR updates during Lens Fest, including new gaming tools, AR creation and monetization elements, and generative AI guidance Lens development. New Lens Studio AR creation options include “Realistic StyleGen,” which lets creators add more lifelike textures and lighting effects for virtual clothing, while “FaceGen” has been updated to provide more realistic digitally generated expressions. There is also a new 3D asset generator that turns people into digital representations, and “AI Clips” for the creation of image-to-video Lenses. In addition, Snapchat is debuting a “Lens Studio AI” chatbot to conversationally build AR lenses.

“The addition of generative AI is set to change the game for AR and VR development by simplifying what have traditionally been highly complex programming elements,” reports Social Media Today.

“Just describe what you want, and Lens Studio AI helps you bring it to life. It can write code, guide you step-by-step, generate full Lenses, debug, and even suggest assets,” explains Snap, adding that “whether you’re a beginner or a seasoned pro, Lens Studio AI meets you where you are to get you from idea to published Lens faster than ever.”

Snap is also rolling out “a new framework called ‘Blocks,’ which are essentially templated AR elements that you can add into your projects,” according to Social Media Today.

Snap describes them as “modular, AR-ready components, like scripts, assets, and effects, that come together to build a Lens, all accessible through Lens Studio AI.” Users can create their own custom Blocks and even publish and share them with the Snap community.

“For instance, you could prompt the app, ‘Turn me into an alien’ after snapping a selfie, or request an image of a ‘grumpy cat,’” TechCrunch writes.

Snap’s announcement lists some key features:

• Character Controller: Switch between third-person, side-scroller, or top-down gameplay styles.
• Camera Controller: Change angles with presets for follow, orbit, and third-person views.
• Input System: Customize controls — blink to jump, or move with a joystick.
• Bitmoji Suite: Bring Bitmoji friends, animations, and props right into your game.

Snap also made the Imagine Lens, its first Open Prompt Image Generation Lens — which debuted last month exclusively for Lens+ and Snapchat Platinum Subscribers — available to all U.S. Snapchatters and is expanding it to international markets starting with Canada, Great Britain and Australia.

Snapchatters use Lenses in the Snapchat app more than 8 billion times every day to play, explore, and express themselves, the company says, noting that over the last 10 years a community of 400,000 creators has built more than 4 million Lenses.