Shader is Snap's AR development platform, with no-code AR creation tools that generate custom effects, 2D masks, and lenses in minutes instead of spending hours creating a single AR filter. It aims to challenge industry heavyweights like Lens Studio and TikTok's Effect House. Requires engineering and design skills. The startup built its platform on an open-source stable diffusion model and allows users to input text-based prompts to generate creations.
The company was founded by Darya Sesitskaya, a former Snap design lead who designed Snapchat's AR camera, Lens Studio, Lens Cloud, and more. She also worked at her Wanna (formerly Wannaby), an AR technology company known for virtual try-ons on sneakers, clothing, and watches. Shader's team is made up of former Snap AR and Blizzard engineers.
The company's flagship product (launched in beta on iOS devices in December 2023) is a real-time AI camera app that allows users to take a photo of themselves, the app scans their face, and the AI generates a personalized AR. Enter the prompt to do so. effect. Users can record videos of themselves wearing masks or filters.
Image credits: shader
During testing, I noticed that the results were simpler, but there were no bugs or glitches. Despite its simplicity, this app can be more than just a fun tool to play with and show off to your friends. Shader plans to launch a premium subscription option that will provide access to higher quality features, Seshitskaya told TechCrunch.
The app's cross-platform functionality allows users to share their creations on Instagram, TikTok, and Snapchat, allowing creators to show off the unique filters they conceptualize. Shader will eventually launch an in-app social feed where users can post their templates for other creators to like, comment on, and try out effects.
Following the example of other AI editing apps, users can upload photos from their camera roll and customize them using prompts or choose from Shader's pre-made templates, including a fox mask, a Yoda-inspired mask, and a set of filters. You can also choose.
Since its beta release, Shader has received approximately 3,000 downloads. An Android version will also be released soon.
Image credits: shader
Most recently, the company launched a web version that scans your face with a built-in webcam. There is also a text box for the author to enter a prompt. However, there don't seem to be any ready-made templates available.
Shader is also leveraging Apple's Digital Persona technology (see image above) to optimize iOS apps for the newly released Vision Pro. Additionally, Shader provides APIs and plugins for companies to implement the technology into their products.
On the funding front, Shader has raised $580,000 from Betaworks, Greycroft, Differential Ventures, Mozilla Ventures, and On Deck. While this is a modest round, the investment suggests there is still demand for his AR creation tools. This capital will go towards developing new features such as the ability to create prompts using speech-to-text and integration with platforms Twitch, Discord and Zoom that will allow users to wear his AR filter live. It is working. It also helps grow your marketing team.
“Our mission is to make AR/AI effects accessible to everyone and make it easy for users to create personalized content.” We prioritize user-friendly design principles that unlock new possibilities and extend them to a variety of social face filters, including backgrounds, clothing, and hair.In the near future, we'll also include the ability to create AR effects and 3D background replacements from your voice. We plan to implement it,” Sesitskaya said.
The company shared a short demo of its speech-to-text technology on its YouTube channel.