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Snapchat Residency — 3D AR Filter

In late 2020, Snapchat commissioned Ruggiero to create a 3D AR filter for their Residency program using the AR program Lens Studio. The lens was also featured in the Snapchat app.

For the filter's theme, she chose to create a companion character. A companion character is a character that usually accompanies the main character in cartoons, anime, and video games. They are usually animals that may talk and may travel with a main character. For this Snapchat character filter, Ruggiero came up with a fictionalized character named Bulgogi that would overlay and move with the viewer's face while using the filter. Nicole was deeply inspired by her relationship with her own cat and thought Bulgogi could be the companion of whoever is using the filter.

To create the filter, the following programs were utilized: ZBrush, Substance Painter, Autodesk Maya, Cinema 4D, and Lens Studio.

3D AR Filter for Snapchat featuring black and red cat head with bat wings, person posing with filter in park
3D AR Filter for Snapchat featuring black and red cat head, image shows someone taking a selfie and talking with filter
3D AR Filter for Snapchat featuring black and red cat head, image shows someone taking a selfie and walking with filter

3D Sculpting Process Using ZBrush

Cat head 3D sculpture process, step 1
Cat head 3D sculpture process, step 2
Cat head 3D sculpture process, step 3
Cat head 3D sculpture process, step 4
Cat head 3D sculpture process, step 5
Cat head 3D sculpture process, step 6

Creating the Low-poly Version Using Autodesk Maya

Cat head quad draw in Maya, Step 1
Cat head quad draw in Maya, Step 2
Cat head quad draw in Maya, Step 3
Cat head quad draw in Maya, Step 4
Cat head quad draw in Maya, Step 5

UVing the Model in Cinema 4D

Cat head UVing process

Texturing the Model in Substance Painter

Cat head texturing process, underpainting
Cat head texturing process, details, back of head.
Cat head texturing process, details

Creating Blendshapes in ZBrush (22 Total)

Cat head blendshape example, resting.
Cat head blendshape example, smile.
Cat head blendshape example, grinning.
Cat head blendshape example, angry.
Cat head blendshape example, eyes closed.
Cat head blendshape example, scowl.

Rigging the Wings in Cinema 4D & Coding in Lens Studio

Cat head bat wing Animation
3D cat head in Lens Studio for AR filter.

Try the Filter on Snapchat!

Snapcode for Bulgogi, 3D AR Filter by Nicole Ruggiero
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