If your brand uses Instagram for business, youβre probably already aware that Instagram Stories is an efficient way to engage with young users. Storiesβs interactive featuresβlike polling, questions, and Instagram AR filtersβare fun ways for brands to interact those users.
Even though Augmented reality (AR) sounds futuristic, Instagram Stories have been using augmented reality filters since 2017. And recently, Instagram Stories took augmented reality to a replacement level. With Spark AR Studio users create their own interactive AR filters. In August 2019, that platform was opened to the general public .
Whatβs an Instagram AR filter?
Augmented reality (AR) filters are applied over a real-life image your camera displays by layering a computer-generated effect on it. AR filters that appear on Instagram stories essentially alters the image that is displayed by your front and back camera. consider Instagramβs face filters. for instance , the puppy filter superimposes a dogβs ears and nose over top of your image. Those digital effects move with you as you progress .
Keep in mind that Instagram AR filters are different from preset filters. Instagram preset filters improve photo quality with just one click, so you don’t have to spend a lot of time editing Instagram photos. In contrast, Instagram AR filters are an interactive element dedicated to Instagram stories.
Whatβs new with Instagram Stories AR filters?
At the F8 meeting in May 2019, Facebook announced that anyone can create custom AR filters using the SparkARStudio platform. This new platform allows users to create original augmented reality effects for Instagram stories, Facebook stories, messengers, and portals.
Before the platform was released in August 2019, Instagram users had to be invited to use Spark AR. This meant that only some Instagram users could design and publish custom AR filters. Now anyone who downloads Spark AR Studio will be creative with filters. Anyone who visits your brand’s Instagram profile can click on the new face icon. All the AR filters you created will be collected here.Β
Why create AR filters for Instagram Stories?
This tool isn’t suitable for all businesses, but it’s a great option for brands trying to reach young people on Instagram. Remember that 67% of all Instagram users are between the ages of 18 and 29. Also, one-third of the most viewed Instagram stories come from businesses. Here’s how a custom AR filter can enhance your brand:
1. Show off your brandβs personality
Custom Instagram AR filters reflect your brandβs tone, especially if that tone is fun or playful. Businesses often use AR Filters to reflect unique parts of their brand, which in return helps them stand out in comparison to their competitors.
2. Connect with Your Audience
In 2019, over 500 million accounts will use Instagram stories every day. 60% of companies using Instagram stories integrate interactive elements to increase their monthly engagement. The latest interactive element in Instagram stories are Custom AR filters.
3. Be ahead of the curve
Custom AR filters are still new and not all brands are using them yet. Create an AR filter to allow customers to “try on” or “wear” branded clothing before purchasing the product. It’s not just for self-promotion. You can also create a brand filter to show your support for social issues.
4. Show off your brandβs personality
The custom AR filter reflects the brand’s tone, especially if the tone is fun or playful. This plays a huge roll in reflecting unique parts of your business’s brand that will ensure that you stand out from your competitors.
5. Increase Brand Awareness
Embed the brand logo or mascot in the AR filter. If your own filter isn’t an ad filter, it will appear in Instagram’s effects gallery and can be found by everyone (including new followers). When a user shares a selfie with a filter, their followers (and potential new followers) are exposed to your brand.
When you view the AR filter for Instagram stories, there is a Try button at the bottom left of the screen. Users can click the Upload button to save the filter for later use. If you look at the bottom right of your screen, this would be the first button there.
How to make an AR filter with Spark AR Studios
Step 1: Download Spark AR Studio
In order to create custom filters and effects you will need the easy-to-use platform called Spark AR Studio. Currently available for Mac and Windows.
Step 2: Decide on your effect
Next, run the Learning Center tutorial to get a feel for the program’s interface. When you’re ready to get started, decide whether you want to create the filter from scratch or choose one of eight templates. Describes the world object template. Coca-Cola 3D objects are placed in the real world, as Poland did with polar bears.
Step 3: Getting started
When you open the template, you will see a placeholder object in the center area. This central panel is called the viewport. Now create a filter. The iPhone 8 in the corner is a simulator. You can see a preview of your work here. You can use the drop-down menu to switch the simulator from iPhone 8 to another device. The left side is the scene panel. Use the options here to edit the AR filter for your Instagram story.
Step 4: Upload a 3D asset
Select a 3D asset for the filter from the AR library or import your own asset. This guide imports free assets from an AR library. In the AR library, you can also choose from free audio files, animations and more.
Step 5: Edit the behaviour of the uploaded graphic
Now you can see the uploaded asset (in this case the spinning pizza) in the viewport. Use the Scenes panel to edit appearance, movement, and real-world interactions. Editing creates a custom AR filter. You can also find out by examining the scene panel on the left, where you can also:
1. Give the 3D object more depth by changing the directional light.
2. Choose whether the effect is available for the front camera, the back camera, or both.
3. Alter the animation of the uploaded 3D object.
4. Add more elements to your effect, like additional animations, textures and materials.
Step 6: Test your effect
You can send the test file to Instagram or Facebook to see how it works in Instagram or Facebook stories. You can always just download the Spark AR app.
Step 7: Publish your effect
In the lower left corner, look for the upload button and press it. You will be able to find it just below the Test on Device button. Please note that new effects will not be published immediately. First, it will be reviewed to ensure that your creation complies with SparkAR’s policies and guidelines. This verification process can take a minimum of several days and a maximum of one week. Spark AR also provides details on how to send newly created effects for approval in the Learning Center.
Step 8: Keep learning
As you become more familiar with this platform, you can quickly learn how to work with other templates or create AR filters on a blank canvas. Need more guidance? Interested in face filters, lighting filters and other AR effects? The Spark AR Learning Center has many useful guides.
1. Create your unique AR filter by navigating through the Spark AR’s tools.
2. Understand face tracking and create an effect that responds to movement.
3. Make your filter responsive to someoneβs touch.
4. Add audio.
Learning how to create your own AR Filters is a creative process that may be difficult for some to grasp, which is why finding an AR App Development Company that suits your gaols and vision is extremely important. Here at Digitalfren, we have the digital solutions to your every need with a great team of developers that will meet your every expectation.
AR Filters are a lot of fun to make. Contact Us to create the best AR Filters for yourself or your business.