How to Make a Snapchat Filter: Easy Guide for Beginners

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Design a unique lens for your friends to use at a party or reunion
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Do you want to make your own filter on Snapchat? Unfortunately, Snapchat discontinued support for all custom geofilters on February 2023, but you can use Lens Studio to create lenses that act like filters! Read on to learn more.

Easily Create a Snapchat Filter With Lens Studio

Use Lens Studio to create a new project. Tap + in the "Scene Hierarchy" panel to add effects, like Face Stretch. Once your filter is complete, change your Project Settings, including Project Name, Preview, and Icon, to get it ready for the public, then click Publish .

Section 1 of 3:

Using Lens Studio Software

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  1. Go to Snap AR's website in a web browser and click Download . The site is from Snap Inc., and the software allows anyone to create a lens for free.
    • Before you can download the software, you need to agree to the privacy policy and terms of service.
    • Make sure you're downloading the right version for your computer. By default, your OS should be selected, but you don't want to download the macOS version if you're using Windows (macOS x64 is for Macs with Intel chips, while macOS arm is for Macs with the M1 or M2 chips).
    • You can only use the website Lens Builder if you have a business account. [1]
  2. 2
    Open Lens Studio and click Start With Default Project . A splash screen appears every time you open the software, where you can quickly open projects that you've worked on previously, browse Snapchat news, and more.
    • Clicking Start With Default Project or Default Project closes this splash window so you can keep working in Lens Studio.
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  3. 3
    Click + in the Scene Hierarchy panel. Clicking this plus sign icon opens another menu.
  4. 4
    Select Face Stretch . This is an introductory tutorial on making your own Lens, so once you're familiar with the software, you can use other asset options.
    • Once you click + , you can enter face to quickly find the "Face Stretch" option.
    • When you find it, click it to add it to your Scene Hierarchy panel.
  5. 5
    Double-click "Face Stretch" to open the Face Editor. It's a face with a bunch of dots and lines on it.
  6. 6
    Edit the "Face Stretch" effect. To do this, drag and drop the circles. You'll see a preview of your changes in the video on the right side of the window.
    • Click the "Symmetrical Mode" icon near the top left corner of the editing window if you want each side of the face to look different.
    • Click the webcam icon if you want to see the filter on yourself.
  7. 7
    Add another face effect. Click the same + in the Scene Hierarchy panel and search for face to quickly find the "Face Liquify" option.
    • Click it to add it to your Scene Hierarchy panel, then double-click it to edit it.
  8. 8
    Edit the "Face Liquify" options. Drag and drop the circles that indicate areas of the effect to different parts of the face in the center section. You'll see a video preview of your last face effect and what the "Face Liquify" effects will do to the finished look.
    • The "Face Liquify" effect has options that appear between the video preview and the face editor, in the Inspector panel. These include settings like "Transform," "Head Binding," and "Liquify Visual." Change those settings to change how the face liquify effects look.
  9. 9
    Add more effects to your filter. You can add 3D content, more AR effects, and text! After you've added everything, you're ready to test and publish your lens.
    • Test your lens by clicking the Preview Lens option in the top right corner of the software. You'll need to open Snapchat on your phone and scan the image. That way, you can see how your effects work on your phone's camera!
  10. 10
    Save your lens and get it ready for the public. In the top left corner of Lens Studio on your computer, click Project Settings , then change the following:
    • Lens Name
    • Target Platforms
    • Allowed Cameras
    • Starting Camera
    • The Lens Hint that tells the user how to use the Lens
    • Lens Icon:
      • Select the import option if you already have an icon that you created in another software, OR
      • Use GenAI Suite by entering a prompt and art style
        • This is what appears in the lens carousel at the bottom of the screen!
    • Lens Preview:
      • In this section, click + and create your own video or select a provided one.
      • This is what Snapchat users will see when they select your lens to use, so don't skip this part!
  11. 11
    Publish your lens. Click Apply in the settings window to change the project's settings. Click Publish in the top right corner of the Lens Studio window.
    • Use the organization and location to manage your lenses so you can easily find them in the future.
    • You will need to create new folders and organizations if this is the first time you are publishing a lens.
  12. 12
    Set categories and tags for your lens. You want to add both of these so your lens is easily discoverable. You can look at Tags of the Month on Lens Studio or Discord .
    • In Lens Studio, click Home to see the splash window that pops up when you open the software.
  13. 13
    Click Publish . It's in the top right corner and will be clickable as soon as you fill out the required fields.
    • If you want everyone to be able to use your filter, make sure it's public.
    • Before it's available to everyone, the lens will go through review to make sure it meets performance and moderation standards.
    • You'll get an email when the review is done, and you can return to that page to find more about your lens, like getting a link so you can easily share it with others. [2]
      • For example, if you created a lens for an event, like a wedding, you can share that link or Snapcode with all your invitees so they can use it too!
    • Sponsored Lenses are paid for and are more like an interactive ad. [3]
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Section 2 of 3:

Lens vs Filter: What's the diff?

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  1. Filters are static images, whereas lenses are animated. Snapchat discontinued the popular feature of geofilters in February 2023. [4] However, you can use Lens Studio to create lenses that mimic filters with Lens Studio .
    • There are many tutorials offered within Lens Studio to help you create exactly what you want. If you're stuck, ask Snap's AI for help!
Section 3 of 3:

Tips for creating stunning filters

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    • Keep it simple.
    • Consider interactive elements.
    • Focus on your goal: for example, get people to buy a product, character, or experience.
    • Include sound or sound effects.
    • Story posts do well with lenses that feature animals, celebrities, makeup, face paint, trendy accessories, and a beautiful aesthetic.
    • If you want to make people interact with your lens longer, try gamification techniques, multiple triggers, or various animations.
  2. 2
    Avoid these:
    • Overcomplicated lenses (too many triggers).
    • Blocking the Snapchatter's face.
    • Starting the lens without any elements.
  3. Triggers are something that launches a reaction, like that one filter where your trigger is your mouth opening, and the result is a rainbow coming out of your mouth.
    • Use established triggers (like blinking, opening your mouth, or sticking your tongue out).
    • Focus on the Snapchatter experience (is your lens or filter fun enough to share with others?)
    • Don't overcomplicate it (don't ask the Snapchatter to rub their tummy and pat their head while jumping).
    • Don't use triggers that can happen accidentally (don't set the trigger to "Open mouth" if the snapchatter needs to talk). [5]
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      References

      1. ↑ https://businesshelp.snapchat.com/s/article/lens-web-builder-create-from-scratch?language=en_US
      2. ↑ https://developers.snap.com/lens-studio/overview/building-your-first-lens/publish
      3. ↑ https://businesshelp.snapchat.com/s/article/lenses?language=en_US
      4. ↑ https://help.snapchat.com/hc/en-us/articles/7012334010772-How-to-Buy-a-Filter-for-My-Business
      5. ↑ https://businesshelp.snapchat.com/s/article/lens-best-practices?language=en_US

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