Bitmoji has become one of the most popular ways for people to express themselves online. The customizable avatars allow users to create a mini version of themselves to use across social platforms and messaging apps. Bitmoji was acquired by Snapchat in 2016 and has since been integrated into many of Snapchat’s creative tools. In 2019, Snapchat took Bitmoji to the next level by introducing Bitmoji 3D avatars.
The Evolution of Bitmoji
Bitmoji was created in 2014 by Bitstrips, a Toronto-based startup. The original Bitmoji offered users a way to build 2D cartoon avatars that could be customized with different hairstyles, outfits, accessories and more. Users could then share their personalized Bitmojis on social media or in messaging apps. In 2016, Snapchat acquired Bitmoji for around $100 million in order to integrate the avatars into Snapchat. This provided a new way for Snapchat users to express themselves using Bitmoji stickers and Bitmoji Stories.
Over the next few years, Snapchat continued building out Bitmoji capabilities. In 2017, Snapchat introduced the Bitmoji SDK (software development kit), allowing third-party apps to integrate Bitmoji stickers. Major apps like Gboard, Spotify and Venmo have since adopted Bitmoji stickers. Snapchat also brought 3D Bitmoji to the world of augmented reality with the launch of Bitmoji AR in 2018. This allowed users to animate their Bitmoji in AR and place them in real-world scenes.
The Launch of Bitmoji 3D
In June 2019, Snapchat took customization to the next level by introducing 3D Bitmoji. This new feature allowed Snapchatters to create a more realistic, 3D rendered version of their personalized avatar. The enhanced level of detail and depth provides an even better representation of users’ likenesses.
To create a Bitmoji 3D avatar, users can visit their Bitmoji settings and tap “Make My Bitmoji 3D”. They can then customize their avatar’s face shape, hair style, skin tone, facial features, makeup, facial hair, and more. An increased level of granular control takes personalization to the next level. For example, you can add wrinkles, adjust nose size, and customize eyes by adjusting eye shape, brow thickness, lash length and more.
Key Benefits of 3D Bitmoji
So why did Snapchat invest in taking Bitmoji to 3D? Here are some of the key benefits that 3D Bitmoji provide:
- More realistic, true-to-life avatars – 3D models allow for more nuanced detailing and closer resemblance to users.
- Increased personalization – With enhanced customization options, users can fine tune smaller details for a more representative avatar.
- Augmented reality integration – The 3D models are optimized for use in augmented reality experiences.
- Animation potential – 3D avatars can be animated and brought to life.
- Next evolution of Bitmoji – 3D takes the popular Bitmoji avatars to the next level in terms of realism and cool factor.
- Viral marketing – 3D Bitmoji attracted lots of buzz and press coverage when launched.
How Bitmoji 3D is Used
Snapchat rolled out 3D Bitmoji as an update to existing Bitmoji options, giving users the ability to upgrade their personalized avatar. Here are some of the key ways that 3D Bitmoji can be used:
- Profile avatar – Users can set their 3D Bitmoji as their profile picture/avatar on Snapchat and other platforms like Instagram or Twitter.
- Snapchat app – 3D Bitmoji are integrated throughout the Snapchat app. They appear on your profile, in chats, stories and snaps.
- Lenses – Snapchat lenses like Face Lenses allow you to animate your 3D Bitmoji with effects and interact with the environment.
- Bitmoji Stories – Comics starring your avatar can now feature your 3D likeness.
- Bitmoji TV – This animated series stars you and your friends’ personalized 3D Bitmojis.
- Bitmoji Merch – Snapchat has partnered with brands to allow merch featuring 3D avatars.
- Games – Some mobile games now allow integration with 3D Bitmoji.
Essentially, anywhere Bitmoji are used, you now have the option to upgrade to a 3D avatar for a more detailed, lifelike representation of yourself in cartoon form.
The Technology Behind 3D Bitmoji
Creating customizable, animated 3D avatars at the scale of millions of Bitmoji users is a technical challenge. Here is an overview of some of the technology that powers 3D Bitmoji:
Avatar Generation
Bitmoji’s avatar editing tools allow users to customize a 3D model to create a digital likeness of themselves. The process likely involves:
- Photogrammetry – converting 2D images into 3D models by analyzing image data.
- 3D modeling software – building a parameterized 3D model template that can be customized.
- Avatar mapping – mapping the customizable parameters (e.g. face shape, skin tone, hair) to touch points on the 3D model template.
This allows the Bitmoji creation engine to take user inputs and adapt the base 3D avatar model to generate a unique 3D creation.
Rendering
To render millions of personalized 3D Bitmoji each week, Snapchat likely relies on powerful 3D rendering engines and farms. The process involves:
- 3D rendering – software and hardware to process and render the 3D models.
- Textures and materials – adding textures like skin, hair, clothing materials to enrich 3D models.
- Lighting – sophisticated lighting configurations to add depth and dimension.
- Render farm – distributed network of computers to handle massive rendering processing demands.
Advanced rendering creates the vivid, lifelike 3D avatar images seen in the Bitmoji universe.
Animation
Giving personalized 3D Bitmoji the ability to come alive with movement and animation adds to their appeal. This involves:
- Motion capture – tracking human movements and facial expressions.
- Procedural animation – using algorithms to procedurally animate background movement like hair.
- Skeletal rigging – building an underlying jointed skeleton for 3D figures to control movement.
- Keyframe animation – defining poses keyframes to determine animation sequence.
With animation capabilities, 3D Bitmoji can dance, walk, blink and come to life in AR environments.
AR Integration
Displaying animated, interactive 3D Bitmoji in augmented reality requires additional technology considerations:
- AR platform – Developing on augmented reality frameworks like ARCore (Android) and ARKit (iOS).
- Environment mapping – Scanning the physical environment to place objects realistically.
- Lighting – Matching virtual lighting to real environment lighting.
- Occlusion -Handling occlusion so avatars are partially blocked behind real objects.
The technical challenges of realistic AR require tight software and hardware integration between Snapchat apps, device cameras and sensors.
The Future of Bitmoji 3D
The launch of personalized 3D Bitmoji opens up many future possibilities for Snapchat. Here are some potential directions we may see.
Even Deeper Personalization
As 3D graphics technology improves, Snapchat will likely enhance customization with additional parameters. For example:
- More distinct facial features options.
- Enhanced hair physics and texture options.
- Tunable body customization.
- Parameterized pose and gesture options.
- Ability to mimic user’s actual proportions.
This would enable users to tune Bitmoji to match their likeness even more closely.
Integration in Additional Services
We will likely see 3D Bitmoji integrated more pervasively across existing and new Snapchat services. Some examples include:
- Augmented reality games involving your Bitmoji.
- Bitmoji integration in Snapchat advertising.
- Custom branded virtual products featuring your Bitmoji.
- Expanded avatar merchandising and licensing deals.
This would extend the Bitmoji brand and technology to new monetization avenues.
Support for Multiple Styles
Currently Bitmoji have a uniform cartoon art style. Snapchat may expand to support multiple visual styles, like:
- Photorealistic versions using image mapping.
- Comic book or anime-inspired renditions.
- Animated caricatures.
- Avatar personas reflecting different moods.
This could allow further personalization and increased engagement as users interact with their avatar in different visual styles.
Competing with Meta’s Metaverse Avatars
Meta (Facebook) has touted hyper-realistic social experiences in the metaverse virtual world as a key tenet of its vision. As Meta ramps up its metaverse avatar capabilities, Snapchat may face competitive pressure to keep pace by evolving Bitmoji 3D technology.
Conclusion
The launch of Bitmoji 3D represents a major advance in Snapchat’s avatar capabilities. The personalized 3D avatars provide a new level of visual identity for Snapchat users that reinforces the app’s fun, creative vibe. Snapchat will likely continue investing heavily in growing Bitmoji 3D given its potential as a viral marketing tool and hub for user engagement across future services. With Snapchat staking its future on augmented reality, Bitmoji 3D seems primed to be a core pillar of its evolving ecosystem.