Taiwan’s Speed 3D, which was only set up in January 2014, has released what it calls the world’s first app that can convert a person’s photo into his or her animated 3D avatar.
“Insta3D uses face detection and cloud computing technology to analyse the facial features in the photo to generate a 3D head model on the cloud. The 3D model then is quickly sent back to the end-user’s phone for further customization. The whole 3D modelling process takes only 10 seconds under 3G or Wi-Fi connection,” said Marvin Chiu, CEO of Speed 3D, promising that the app will be updated regularly with new content for in-app purchase.
Insta3D users can customise their 3D avatars with different outfits, accessories, facial expressions, and animated body motions, said the company, and changing their mood and body language. The completed 3D avatar can be saved and shared as a photo or video on social networks, or printed in 3D.
Notably, Speed 3D is also collaborating with one of the top 3D printing service providers in Japan in order to deliver the 3D-printed avatars. Insta3D users will soon be able to print out their own 8-inch avatars, the company said.
Speed 3D has also partnered with Next Media Animation, one of the largest animation studios in the world, to create further content. “Next Media has been producing 3D animation for many years and has accumulated a great variety of 3D models and actions. We look forward to witnessing Insta3D’s utilisation of this content in a whole new direction,” said Kith Ng, CEO of Next Media Animation.
The app has been available in Taiwan since June 30, where it rose to become the No. 1 free app for three consecutive days. Insta3D disclosed that strong growth is also seen in the US, Japan, and South Korea.
To download Insta3D click here for the iOS version and here for the Android version.