How to make your own Instagram AR Filters

Meta Spark Studio is a desktop application and comes in at 464 MB in size. While relatively small, it’s a powerful tool that you’ll find very easy to use the more you work with it. It is currently only available for Mac and Windows users with no mention if Linux users will see a version of the app. If you are a Linux user, consider using Wine, a popular compatibility layer designed to allow Linux users to install and enjoy Windows applications. While we haven’t tested Wine and Meta Spark Studio, give it a try, it may work.

Once installed, we recommend that you take some time to cover a few tutorials to get familiar with the platform. Meta Spark Studio comes with a helpful welcome tour. It lasts five minutes and will help you get familiar with most aspects of the platform.

If you need more guidance, head to the learning centre where you’ll find a collection of tutorials. The Getting Started section includes basics that will help you quickly come up to speed with features and how to navigate Meta Spark Studio. It also includes tutorials on creating a face tracking effect, previewing Meta Spark Studio effects, using the face reference assets, using templates, features and processes, effect lifecycle, policy, and more.

Source: spark.meta.com

Next, pick the type of AR filter you’d like to create. In our example, we’re going to create a world object. This option allows us to place a 3D object in a real-world setting.

To get started, click on the project of your choice and you’ll be transported to a canvas, also called the Viewport, with your object placeholder preloaded. 

Note: if this is your first time using Meta Spark Studio, you will need to accept their policy agreement before gaining access to your canvas. 

The Viewport may look like a complex canvas, but remember to use the tutorials section for guidance on using each feature if you get stuck. When in the Viewport, you’ll need to add an object. You can import one or access Meta Spark Studio’s growing library of objects. We’re going to use the AR Library to import an object. To follow along, click on File in the main menu (top left of application), then click on Import from AR Library. 

A new window will open with various options. Select 3D Objects from the left-hand menu.

Once you’ve found your object, click on the Import Free button.

As Facebook uses Sketchfab’s library of assets, you’ll need to create a Sketchfab account or log into their site using your Facebook, Google or Twitter account.

Source: sketchfab.com

Adding Sound

While in the AR Library, you have the option to add sound to your AR filters and can import clips directly from the library. 

With your object in the Viewport, it’s time to add effects. These will relate to how your object reacts to user manipulation. Effects include how your object will move and how it will look when positioned at different angles in the real-world. For our object, we’re going to use a rendering of the moon. To animate our object, we’ll drag-and-drop it from the Assets panel into the Scene panel, just below the “drag here” menu item.

With our object in place, we can begin to change its colour, there are various ways to manipulate it. You can:

• Change the directional light to give a 3D object more depth and realism.
• Enable and disable appearance on front cameras, back cameras, or both.
• Alter the animation of your object.
• Add more effect, like additional animations, textures and materials.

To test your new AR filter, you can send your test file to Instagram or Facebook. This will give you a preview of how your filter works on each platform.

When you’re ready to publish your AR filter, click on the “upload” button in the bottom left-hand corner of the app.

AR filters are subject to review by Facebook. The process can take a few days. Ensure your filter meets Spark AR’s policies and guidelines. For more on creating filters that are approved without fail, read the submitting newly created effects for approval.