Creating your primobots lens

Step 1: Create your Snapchat account and install the tools.

You’ll need a Snapchat account to create, upload and use your Primobots helmet lens on all your videocalls. Create your Snapchat account here.

Download and install Lens Studio, which you’ll use to create your lens using our 3D helmet file, from here.

Lastly, download and install Snap Camera, which creates a virtual camera on top of your real camera to replace your head with the Primobots lens, from here.

Step 2: Open Lens Studio and log in to your Snapchat account.

Launch Lens Studio and log in to Lens Studio with the Snapchat account you created in the last step.

Step 3: Click on New Project and import your Primobots 3D helmet file.

On the left pane in Lens Studio, click the New Project button.

When you click that button, you should see the Resources tab in the lower-left corner of the Lens Studio window.

Click the + button >- + From Files >- Choose your Primobots 3D helmet file, which is in a GLB format, from the file picker dialog. You should then see a Gltf Import Options dialog—leave the default options as they are, and click Import.

In the Resources tab, you should see your Primobots file with a “F” icon to its left. Expand the file by clicking the > button, and you should then see another Primobots file with a “P” icon to its left. Click this file with the “P” icon, and drag it into the Objects tab, which is right above the Resources tab.

Step 5: Add a Head Binding.

Head Binding is what lets you bind your Primobots 3D helmet to your head.

In the Objects tab, click on the + button, and search for “Head Binding”. Click on the Head Binding option in the search results, and you should see a Head Binding in the Objects tab.

Your head binding is now added! The 3D view, which is located in the middle of the Lens Studio window, should show your head binding and your Primobots helmet. Now it’s time to tweak the Primobots 3D helmet and bind it perfectly to your head.

Step 6: Tweak your Primobots 3D helmet and bind it to your head.

In the Objects tab, click on your Primobots file, marked with a “P” icon to its left. Your Primobots helmet is now selected and ready to be tweaked.

At the top of the Lens Studio window, you should see the toolbar with the Move Tool button (shortcut: W key) and the Scale Tool button (shortcut: R key). These are the only two tools you need for now.

First, scale your Primobots helmet with the Scale Tool. When you click on it, a small cube appears in the 3D view—click and drag inwards to make your Primobots helmet smaller/bigger. Make sure that it’s only slightly bigger than your head so that it covers your entire head.

Second, move your Primobots helmet with the Move tool, and make sure that it encapsulates the head binding in the 3D view—this is what maps your Primobots helmet to your head.

Lastly, move the Primobots file, marked with a “P” icon in your Objects tab inside the Head Binding, which should also be present in the Objects tab. Your Primobots helmet is now bound to your head! Watch the tutorial video if you need more help with this step.

Step 7: Adjust the colors if needed.

Primobots are made in Blender. So importing something made in Blender into Lens Studio doesn’t have the best color accuracy. So if you notice that you need to tweak the colors for your Primobots helmet, here’s how you do it:

In the Resources tab, expand the Primobots file with the “F” icon>- expand Materials >- click on the color you want to tweak. Look to your right—you should see the Inspector tab with the Base Color option. Click on that, and you should be able to adjust the color you’ve selected.

Step 8: Publish your Primobots helmet lens.

In the top-right corner, you should see the Project Info button. Click on that and input your Lens Name (what you want your Primobots helmet lens to be known as), and add a Lens Preview—click on this and it’ll show you some pre-made Lens Previews. Now, click Apply.

To the left of the Project Info button, you should see the Publish Lens button. Click on it and it should open My Lenses by Snapchat in your web browser. Sign in to your Snapchat account. Click on Submit New Lens.

In the Lens Details screen, add some tags if you’d like. In the Scan Triggers dropdown, choose the Person, Cat and Dog options. Set the visibility of the Lens to Hidden if you’d like to be the only one to be able to access this lens.

Your lens will now be under review, and you should see this in the next screen. Refresh this page after a few minutes, and your lens should be published and live. Click on the Copy Link button (🔗) and we’ll use this link in the next step.

Step 9: Enable your lens in Snap Camera.

Open Snap Camera, and click on Search Lenses. In the search field, just paste the link you’ve copied above.

Once you do, you should only see one search result—your Primobots 3D helmet! Click on the Favorite button (⭐️) to add your lens to your favorites—for easy access later. Finally, click on the lens itself to enable it.

You should now see your head get replaced by a Primobots 3D helmet!

Step 10: Start using your Primobots 3D helmet!

Go to Google Meet or Zoom or your video conferencing app of choice. In the Video/Camera settings, choose Snap Camera, instead of your default camera.

⚠️ Before doing this, make sure that you have Snap Camera running in the background. Do not quit Snap Camera, or else the lens will not work.

Begin your videocall! You should now be able to see your Primobots 3D helmet in place of your head. Have fun with all your meetings! 🤖