
`youtube:QYJBNaKZQCg`

Changing the background on your Instagram and Facebook filters is fairly straightforward, but there is an easier way. Learn just how easy it is to add background segmentation in Spark AR and ensure it is compatible with 3D head decorations. You can see an example of this type of effect in action [by clicking here](https://www.instagram.com/ar/2130880537211873/) or by scanning the below code.

![QR code leading to an example Instagram filter that uses background segmentation](/images/tutorials/instagram-beginner/background-segmentation/qr-code.png)

## Why another background segmentation tutorial?

There are already background segmentation tutorials out there, so why this one? Two reasons - 1) there is a simpler way to do it and 2) most of those tutorials don't go into the setup if you want to also include 3D head decorations. Let's get started.

## Scene setup

I am going to start with the "Face Decoration" template that is included with Spark AR. This will give us a starting 3D object on the user's head. Feel free to start with a blank project or use whichever face decorations you want.

Once you've opened up the project, add a rectangle to your scene (this will automatically add a canvas as well) and resize it to fill both the width and the height. Next, select the Camera and extract the person segmentation texture. Most tutorials will have you create two rectangles and also extract the camera texture, but we don't actually need to do that (although maybe with a more complicated filter you might need to do it that way).

![Setting up our scene for background segmentation](/images/tutorials/instagram-beginner/background-segmentation/scene-setup.jpg)

Now it is time to create our material. Create a new material and name it to something like "background." Chnage the Shader Type to "Flat" and then select your image texture. For this tutorial I am just going to change the color of the material rather than select an image. Then enable the Alpha, choose the segmentation texture, then finally enable the "Invert" checkbox. You still won't see any changes in your scene, so select your rectangle and give it this new material we just made. Hooray! It is (mostly) working now!

![The material settings for our background segmentation](/images/tutorials/instagram-beginner/background-segmentation/material-settings.jpg)

## Make it look good

At this point you might notice that when the user turns their head in the preview that the glasses are being cut off. No worries, we will fix that. Drag the canvas object so that it is above the face tracker. Then select your material, open the Advanced Render Options, and disable "Write to Depth." Now as the user turns their head, the glasses won't disappear behind the background. If you are using a head occluder, you might also want to disable the "Use Depth Test" option. Everything might look good in Spark AR, but if you try it out on your device, certain head angles and positions might cause the occluder to obscure the background. Disabling the Use Depth Test option on the background material should take care of that though.

## How does this all work?

In your typical background segmentation tutorial (including the official one from the Spark AR team), they have you create two separate rectangles, one for the user and one for the background. The background is just the background image, and then the user rectangle receives the camera texture and the segmentation texture. Alternatively, you can just invert the segmentation and apply it to the background (which is what we did here). It's just a simpler way to put the user in front of the background.

What about that Write to Depth option? Spark moves down through our scene objects and draws each to the screen. Originally we had our rectangle near the bottom so it was drawing over the top of the glasses. We moved it up to the top so that it was drawn first. We also disabled the Write to Depth option so that Spark would ignore it when deciding whether the rectangle was hiding the glasses. Basically we told Spark to draw the rectangle and then ignore it while drawing everything else to the screen.

## Further reading

- [Segmentation](https://sparkar.facebook.com/ar-studio/learn/articles/people-tracking/background-segmentation)
- [Canvas](https://sparkar.facebook.com/ar-studio/learn/articles/2D/the-canvas)
- [Rectangle](https://sparkar.facebook.com/ar-studio/learn/articles/2D/rectangles#adding-rectangles-to-your-scene)


Changing the background on your Instagram and Facebook filters is fairly straightforward, but there is an easier way. Learn just how easy it is to add background segmentation in Spark AR and ensure it is compatible with 3D head decorations.

Background segmentation the easy way in Spark AR


`youtube:u31vRoG3uns`

Grain is a pretty popular addition to many Instagram filters. Done right, it can add a vintage look to your filter. In this Spark AR tutorial, you will learn how to add grain to your Instagram and Facebook filters. You can see an example of this effect in action [by clicking here](https://www.instagram.com/ar/387717252389876/) or by scanning the below code.

![QR code leading to an example freckles effect for Instagram](/images/tutorials/instagram-beginner/grain/qr_code.png)

## Getting grain images

Before we add our grain, we of course need some sort of grain images. For a great source of free grain images, I recommend checking out [Film Composite](https://www.filmcomposite.com/free-film-assets). They have an entire collection of free grain images and videos. Once you find some grain you like, click on the thumbnail to get to the download page. For this particular lens I am going to use film scratch images, but feel free to use whichever type you like. Once you click on the thumbnail, you'll see a larger preview of the grain along with a `Blend Mode` and `Download Free` button. Take not of the blend mode because we'll need that later. Download the image and find some more that match it. If you can only find one grain image you like don't worry, we have a few tricks for generating multiple images from one.

## Formatting the grain

Using your favorite graphics editor (Photoshop, Affinity Photo, GIMP, etc), create a new image. I would not go above a final resolution of 720x1280 due to file size constraints for Snapchat lenses. Import each of your grain images as a new layer. The more layers you have, the more dynamic and less repetitive your grain will look because each layer will become a separate frame in the animation. Since the grain images we downloaded from Film Composite are much larger than the resolution we chose for our frames, it is pretty easy to supplement our number of frames. Take a layer and scale it down so it still fills the frame. Duplicate the layer and scale, move, and/or flip the layer to make a new, distinct frame. Repeat as many times and for as many layers as desired. Film Composite had six film scratch images, and I duplicated each layer twice to give me a total of 18 frames. Once you have your frames, export each layer as an image. You can do this manually by showing/hiding each layer and exporting, or you can use a more automated route -- here's how to [do it in Photoshop](https://helpx.adobe.com/photoshop/using/export-artboards-layers.html), [in Affinity Photo](https://affinity.help/designer/en-US.lproj/index.html?page=pages/ExportPersona/exportPersona.html?title=Exporting%20using%20Export%20Persona), and [in GIMP](https://khalim19.github.io/gimp-plugin-export-layers/).

## Import into Spark AR

Open up Spark AR and start by adding an [Animation Sequence](https://sparkar.facebook.com/ar-studio/learn/articles/animation/2d-texture-animation/#Creating-the-textures) and choose your grain frames as the texture. This will import all the images and construct the animation. Next [add a Canvas](https://sparkar.facebook.com/ar-studio/learn/articles/2D/the-canvas) and then [add a Rectangle](https://sparkar.facebook.com/ar-studio/learn/articles/2D/rectangles#adding-rectangles-to-your-scene) to the Canvas and set its size to `Fill Width` and `Fill Height`. Give your rectangle a material and set it to [Flat shading](https://sparkar.facebook.com/ar-studio/learn/articles/textures-and-materials/flat-material) and select your animation sequence for the texture. Now just set the overlay mode to what Film Composite had listed for the grain images you used. However, you might run into a problem here because materials in Spark AR don't have many blend modes. If you find something that works, awesome! If not, we can manipulate our grain animation a little using the Patch Editor.

## Adjusting the grain animation

Start by [opening the Patch Editor](https://sparkar.facebook.com/ar-studio/learn/patch-editor#patch-types). It can be a little scary working with patches, but we are only going to be doing super simple stuff here. In the Assets Panel, drag your grain animation into the Patch Editor. This should create an orange patch. Now select your grain material and over in the material settings, click on the little circular arrow next to the Texture option. This should create a yellow patch. If you connect the top output of the orange patch (the RGBA output) to the input of the yellow patch, that is the same as just setting the texture in the material settings. But in our case we want to make some adjustments.

The film scratch images I am using have black scratches on a grey background. If I take a look at the exact color values for the grey, I see that the color value is 127 for the red, green, and blue values. Since color values range from 0-255, this puts the grey right in the middle, or put another way, 50% of the way to being white. The film scratch images then only cover 50% of the possible range.

To convert my 50% range to a 100% range, I am going to use the [From Range patch](https://sparkar.facebook.com/ar-studio/learn/patch-editor/math-patches/) so go ahead and add that in. The `From Range` patch takes an input value and the min and max values that are present on the input. It then maps and outputs the value on a 0-1 scale. Take the orange patch and connect it to the input. Our min value is 0 (black) and max value is 0.5 (grey). If we set those values and then connect the output of the `From Range` to our yellow material texture patch, you will see the grain images change! Now they will have black scratches on a white background! If the background isn't quite white enough, feel free to change the max value on the `From Range` patch. I ended up using a value of 0.4. Now you can change the blend mode of the material to something like `Multiply` and get a much better result. You can adjust the alpha of the material to change the strength of the grain.

You now have a grain effect!

![How to connect the patches](/images/tutorials/instagram-beginner/grain/patches.jpg)

## Further reading

- [Animation Sequence](https://sparkar.facebook.com/ar-studio/learn/articles/animation/2d-texture-animation/#Creating-the-textures)
- [Canvas](https://sparkar.facebook.com/ar-studio/learn/articles/2D/the-canvas)
- [Rectangle](https://sparkar.facebook.com/ar-studio/learn/articles/2D/rectangles#adding-rectangles-to-your-scene)
- [Patch Editor](https://sparkar.facebook.com/ar-studio/learn/patch-editor#patch-types)
- [Flat Shading](https://sparkar.facebook.com/ar-studio/learn/articles/textures-and-materials/flat-material)


Film grain is a popular feature of filters, and fortunately it is easy to add to your own using some free resources.

How to add grain to your Instagram and Facebook filters


`youtube:8Ezbm9mjAuk`

In this Spark AR tutorial you'll learn that making objects rotate around the head is super easy to do. All it takes is a little scene setup and the click of a button. You can see an example of this effect in action [by clicking here](https://www.instagram.com/ar/1393628470978921/) or by scanning the code below.

![QR code leading to an example effect for Instagram with objects rotating around the head](/images/tutorials/instagram-beginner/rotate-around-head/qr-code.png)

## Setting up the scene

Let's start by importing a couple things down in the Assets Panel. The first thing I want to do is open up the AR Library and search for the "Head Occluder." Once that is imported, import your 3D object(s). In my case I'm just going to import a sphere from the AR Library.

Next up I'm going to add a Face Tracker and a Null Object to my scene. Drag the "headOccluder" from the Assets Panel up to the face tracker and then nest the "nullObject0" under the face tracker and below the head occluder. Adjust the position of the null object to where you want the center of rotation to be and then adjust the position of your nested 3D object

![Scene setup for rotating objects around the head in Spark AR](/images/tutorials/instagram-beginner/rotate-around-head/scene-setup.jpg)

## Add the rotation

Select the null object, and then way over in the top right of Spark AR click on "Actions," go to "Animate," and then select "Spin." This will open up the patch editor and your object should now start spinning. You can adjust the speed of the rotation by changing the "Duration" value on the Loop Animation patch. You can add as many 3D objects as you want to the scene and they will also rotate if they are parented to the null object.

![Patch setup for rotating objects around the head in Spark AR](/images/tutorials/instagram-beginner/rotate-around-head/patch-setup.jpg)

## Further reading

- [Actions](https://sparkar.facebook.com/ar-studio/learn/articles/fundamentals/actions)
- [Patch Editor](https://sparkar.facebook.com/ar-studio/learn/patch-editor)
- [Face Tracker](https://sparkar.facebook.com/ar-studio/learn/articles/people-tracking/face-tracker)
- [Occluders](https://sparkar.facebook.com/ar-studio/learn/articles/3D/occluders)
- [3D Objects](https://sparkar.facebook.com/ar-studio/learn/articles/3D/3D-objects)
- [Null Objects](https://sparkar.facebook.com/ar-studio/learn/articles/3D/null-objects)


In this Spark AR tutorial you will learn that making objects rotate around the head is super easy to do. All it takes is a little scene setup and the click of a button.

Make objects rotate around the head in Spark AR


`youtube:P46w_nIg7OE`

In this tutorial we'll go over how to easily create freckles using Spark AR Studio. You can see an example of this effect [by clicking here](https://www.instagram.com/ar/400573747604073/) or by scanning the below code.

![QR code leading to an example freckles effect for Instagram](/images/tutorials/instagram-beginner/easy_freckles/qr_code.png)

## Creating the freckles

Now, this is a Spark AR tutorial, not a Photoshop or Illustrator tutorial, so I won't go into detail as to how to actually create the freckles. I am assuming you have access to, and familiarity with, some sort of graphics program.

- Start by going to the [Spark AR Face Reference Assets page](https://sparkar.facebook.com/ar-studio/learn/articles/people-tracking/face-reference-assets) and click the link to download the assets. Once the zip file is finished downloading, go ahead and unzip it.
- Open up your graphics program. I personally use the [Affinity](https://affinity.serif.com/en-us/) line of software, but you can use Photoshop, Illustrator, GIMP, Inkscape, etc. Whatever you have and are comfortable with will work.
- Use either the feminine or masculine face texture from inside the `Textures` folder. As far as positions of facial features, both are identical so you can use either to place your freckles.
- Once you are happy with your design, export it as a PNG file. For freckles we need the transparency, so a JPEG file won't work.
- I recommend exporting your design in all white if it is a single color design. If it is a multi-color design then it's fine to leave the colors. The benefit to a white design is that over in Spark AR it will be easy to set the color using the material.

## Setting up the scene

It is easy to add freckles to an existing filter, or you can start with a new, blank project. All you need to do is add a [face mesh](https://sparkar.facebook.com/ar-studio/learn/articles/people-tracking/face-mesh) to the scene.

![Adding a face mesh in Spark AR](/images/tutorials/instagram-beginner/easy_freckles/add_face_mesh.jpg)

## Add the freckles

Down in the Assets Panel, import your freckles image that you created and add a new material.

![Creating a new material in Spark AR](/images/tutorials/instagram-beginner/easy_freckles/add_material.jpg)

Select the face mesh up the Scene Panel and assign the new material to the face mesh. Now go back to the Assets Panel and select the material. For the texture, choose the freckles image. Your freckles should now show up in the preview window! Depending on your freckles design, you can try out a `Flat` shader, but in my case I'm going with a `Physically-Based` shader.

![Changing the shader type in Spark AR](/images/tutorials/instagram-beginner/easy_freckles/shader_type.jpg)

Adjust the color if needed, and set any other material parameters you want. I want to get that shiny sticker look so I turned the `Metallic` parameter all the way up and added just a touch of `Roughness`. The `Metallic` parameter should be adding shine to the freckles, but now they look dark! The problem is that there is nothing really to be reflected, so to add the reflections, enable the `Environment` option for the shader and import a new environment texture from the AR Library. Now the reflections should be showing up!

![Importing an environment texture in Spark AR](/images/tutorials/instagram-beginner/easy_freckles/import_env_texture.jpg)

## Finishing up

Add a [Face Retouch](https://sparkar.facebook.com/ar-studio/learn/articles/textures-and-materials/retouching-material) or anything else if you desire, and at this point you are ready to submit your effect!

## Further reading

- [Face Mesh](https://sparkar.facebook.com/ar-studio/learn/articles/people-tracking/face-mesh)
- [Materials](https://sparkar.facebook.com/ar-studio/learn/articles/textures-and-materials/materials-in-spark-ar-studio)
- [Environment Textures](https://sparkar.facebook.com/ar-studio/learn/articles/textures-and-materials/environment-texture)


Learn how to easily add freckles to the user's face using the Face Mesh!

Easily create freckles using Spark AR Studio


`youtube:-p0q9Gk-jpc`

There are lots of filters simulating vintage cameras by adding grain or by adding a black and white or sepia effect. What's missing is the choppy framerate of old video cameras. In this Spark AR tutorial you'll learn how to simulate a reduced framerate to take your vintage camera effects to the next level. You can view an example of this effect [by clicking here](https://www.instagram.com/ar/387717252389876/) or by scanning the code below.

![QR code leading to an example reduced framerate effect for Instagram](/images/tutorials/instagram-beginner/grain/qr_code.png)

## Setting up the frame delay

For this example I am going to start with a blank project. Most of our work is going to take place in the Patch Editor, so if you don't have it open already go to View -> Show/Hide Patch Editor. The first thing we need to do is get the Delay Frame patch wired up and working. Fortunately, the official Spark AR docs [have an example setup](https://sparkar.facebook.com/ar-studio/learn/patch-editor/render-passes/shader-render-pass#example) that works perfect for what we are wanting to do. Go ahead and recreate their example.

To recreate their example, you'll need a few resources setup. In the Scene Panel, select the Device and then click on the arrow next to `Render Pass` over in the panel on the right-hand side of the screen. This will create a yellow Device patch with an input for Screen Output.

Next, select the Camera in the Scene Panel and click the `+` button next to Texture Extraction in the right-hand panel. This will create a cameraTexture0 and place it in the Assets Panel. Drag this into the Patch Editor to create an orange patch for the camera texture.

Next let's add the rest of our patches! To add patches, you can either right click or click the `+ Add patch` button at the bottom right of the Patch Editor. We will need the following patches.

- Delay Frame
- Shader Render Pass
- Mix
- Receiver

On the Receiver patch, click on the patch title to open a dropdown and select the Delay Frame option. Once you've done that, copy it once.

Now it's time to wire everything together! Take one of the Receiver patches and connect it to the Device patch. Connect the cameraTexture0 patch to the top input of the Mix patch and also to the `First Frame` input of the Delay Frame patch. The other Receiver patch connects to the middle input of the Mix patch. Connect the Mix patch to the Shader Render Pass and then connect that to the `Render Pass` input of the Delay Frame patch.

On the Mix patch, set the Alpha to something like 0.8. If you see a motion blur effect, it means everything is connected correctly! If not, double check all the connections and compare it to the [Spark AR example](https://sparkar.facebook.com/ar-studio/learn/patch-editor/render-passes/shader-render-pass#example). This Alpha value will be the key to creating our reduced framerate effect. If you set the Alpha to 0, it will look just like the camera texture. If you set the Alpha to 1, then the image will be frozen. By switching between 0 and 1 we can make it appear as if the framerate of our filter is reduced.

Since I'm going for a vintage camera effect, I'm going to go ahead and make everything black and white. In the Assets Panel click on the `+ Add Asset` button and choose Search AR Library. Search for `Adjust Colors` and import it. Now drag the patch from the Assets Panel into the Patch Editor. Stick the patch between the Receiver and Device patches and set the Saturation to -1. Now you should have the same effect as before but now in black and white.

![Setting up the Delay Frame patch in Spark AR](/images/tutorials/instagram-beginner/reduced_framerate/initial-patch-setup.jpg)

## Reducing the framerate

Okay, now we are ready to switch our Alpha value between 1 and 0 on the Mix patch to create that choppy look. Add a Loop Animation patch and leave the Duration at 1 second. Now add a Multiply patch and connect the Progress output of the Loop Animation to the First Value input of the Multiply patch. Set the Second Value of the Multiply patch to 30. Why are we doing this? Instagram filters run at roughly 30 frames per second. Our Loop Animation takes 1 second to run, and during that 1 second the animation progress goes from 0 to 1. By multiplying the progress by 30, we approximately get what frame of the animation we are on. Now the filters don't run at exactly 30 fps, but this approximation works well enough. Go ahead and also add a Floor patch and connect it after the Multiply patch. This will make sure we are working with integer values. Frame 12.5 doesn't make much sense, but frame 12 does.

So now that we are tracking which frame we are on, we can use that information to switch between the camera texture and the delayed frame. To do this, add a Modulo patch. The modulo operator (represented by '%') divides two numbers, but instead of giving you the result it gives you the remainder. So 3%1 is 0 because 3 is evenly divided by 1. 5%2 is 1 because 2 goes into 5 evenly two times (resulting in 4) and then we have 1 leftover. Connect the Floor patch to the first input of the Modulo patch and set the second value to 2. Now create an Equals patch and connect the Modulo patch to the top input. You should now see the First Number on the Equals patch switching between 0 and 1. Now let's use this information to control our framerate.

Create an If Then Else path and connect the Equals patch to the Condition input. Set the Then value equal to 0 and the Else value equal to 1. Now connect that output to the Alpha of our Mix patch. The motion blur effect should now disappear and instead we'll have our framerate cut in half because of the modulo 2! Let's walk through what is happening.

- On frame 0, 0%2 is 0 so our Equals condition is true. The If Then Else patch sends a value of 0 to the Mix patch which shows our camera texture.
- On frame 1, 1%2 is 1, so the Equals condition is false and we send a 1 to the Mix patch. This displays the frozen frame.
- On frame 2, 2%2 is 0 so we update what is displayed.

You can adjust the choppiness by adjusting the Second Value of the Modulo patch. A value of 2 gives you a framerate of 15 fps because we are updating every other frame. A value of 3 gives you 10 fps, and a value of 15 gives you 2 fps. The super low framerates probably aren't what you are looking for in the final effect, but they can help you check to make sure the effect is working.

![Setting up the framerate adjustment in Spark AR](/images/tutorials/instagram-beginner/reduced_framerate/framerate-modulation.jpg)

## Final touches

We already added a black and white effect, but let's add some grain as a final touch. We already have a [tutorial on how to add grain](https://arbootcamp.com/instagram-beginner/grain), so here we are going to skip that part and instead focus on syncing the grain with our framerate. The grain doesn't have to be synced with the framerate, but it gives a more authentic feel if the two are synced.

### Adding a Scene Render Pass

If you add a Rectangle and apply your grain material, you might notice it doesn't show up in the simulator. That is because we are grabbing the camera texture and applying our effect to that. To include our grain, we'll need to add a Scene Render Pass. Select the Device in the Scene Panel and then on the right-hand side of the screen click on the `Create` button next to Default Pipeline. This will add a purple Device patch and a Scene Render Pass patch. Connect the Shader Render Pass to the Background input of the Scene Render Pass, and connect the output of the Scene Render Pass to the Texture input of the Adjust Colors Shader patch instead of the second Receiver patch (you can delete that Receiver patch now). Your grain should now be visible in the simulator.

![Adding the Scene Render Pass in Spark AR](/images/tutorials/instagram-beginner/reduced_framerate/scene-render-pass.jpg)

### Syncing the grain with the framerate

If you set the Second Value on the Modulo patch to 15, you'll see that your grain sequence is playing independently of the frame updates. Select the Animation Sequence in the Assets Panel and create a patch for the Current Frame by clicking the little arrow next to the property in the right-hand panel. Add a Counter patch and connect it to the animationSequence0 patch. Set the Mximum Count to the number of frames in the grain animation, and then connect the output of the Equals patch to the Increase input of the Counter. Spark will automatically add a Pulse patch in between. Now your grain animation is synced to the framerate of your filter! Feel free to set the modulo value back to whatever suits your fancy.

![Syncing the grain with the frame update in Spark AR](/images/tutorials/instagram-beginner/reduced_framerate/grain-sync.jpg)

## Further reading

- [Delay Frame Patch](https://sparkar.facebook.com/ar-studio/learn/patch-editor/render-passes/delay-frame)
- [Shader Render Pass](https://sparkar.facebook.com/ar-studio/learn/patch-editor/render-passes/shader-render-pass)
- [Scene Render Pass](https://sparkar.facebook.com/ar-studio/learn/patch-editor/render-passes/scene-render-pass)


Learn how to create a reduced framerate effect to simulate the look of old film cameras!

Create an old-fashioned reduced or stuttered framerate in Spark AR


`youtube:ShRxugpV6w8`

The "Big Head" effect is a pretty fun type of filter to create. It is pretty easy to make once you learn the trick of texture projection. You can see an example of this type of effect in action [by clicking here](https://www.instagram.com/ar/482217752880755/) or by scanning the below code.

![QR code leading to an example Instagram filter that uses the big head effect](/images/tutorials/instagram-beginner/big-head/qr-code.png)

## What you will need

Our scene will consist of three main parts - the background, the head, and the body. For this tutorial I am going to use a plain color for the background and a 3D model I already have for the body. Feel free to use whatever you wish for your filter.

## Creating the head

Once you have your assets ready, head on over to Spark AR and create a blank project. The first thing I am going to do is create the head. Using the built in face mesh and accompanying face texture we can quickly and easily get the face portion done, but what about the rest of the head? Fortunately it is pretty easy too. Go ahead and add a face mesh to your scene and then disable the eyes and mouth checkboxes (this will fill them in with the mesh). Next you'll want to download the [Face Reference Assets](https://sparkar.facebook.com/ar-studio/learn/articles/people-tracking/face-reference-assets) from Spark AR and import the headOccluder mesh into your project. Once imported, add it to your scene and make sure it is behind the face mesh.

> We are using the head mesh to capture most of the user's head and the face mesh to make sure the chin doesn't get cut off when the user opens their mouth.

![Adding the face mesh and head occluder mesh to our scene](/images/tutorials/instagram-beginner/big-head/face-head-setup.jpg)

Now let's create a new material and call it "head." Apply this material to both the face mesh and the head mesh. Next, scale up the head mesh until it more or less covers the user's head. This does not need to be perfect, just make sure you don't make it too big and be sure to test it on different preview videos.

Time for the material setup! Select the head material, change the Shader Type to "Flat," and then click the little arrow next to the Texture slot to create a patch (this should automatically open the patch editor, but if not, go to View -> Show/Hide Patch Editor). Select the Camera in the Scene Panel, extract its texture, and then drag that texture into the patch editor as well.

If you were to connect the camera texture directly to the head texture node, you would get something pretty funky looking because it is trying to apply the entire camera texture onto the mesh. To fix this, we are going to project the camera texture onto the mesh. What this means is that wherever the face and head mesh are, their texture will just be whatever the camera sees right there. The downside of this is that we can't move our face and head mesh off to the side, but that won't be a problem for this type of filter.

To project the camera texture onto our face and head models, open up the AR Library and search for the "Texture Projection" patch asset. Import that into your project and then stick it between the camera texture and the head texture patches. The meshes in the viewport will now look pretty funky, but in the preview window it should look like nothing has been added to the filter. That is exactly what we want.

![Using texture projection to project the camera texture onto our face and head meshes](/images/tutorials/instagram-beginner/big-head/texture-projection.jpg)

## Add the background

I am just using a simple colored background here, but you can use any background you want. Here I am creating a new material named "background," changing to to a flat shader type, changing the color, and then applying it to a rectangle. Currently the background is cutting through the face and head meshes, so in the Advanced Render Options of the material I am going to disable the "Use Depth Test" and "Write to Depth" options and then move my rectangle up above the face tracker in my scene hierarchy. With our background added you can now see the full head!

![Adding a simple background to the filter](/images/tutorials/instagram-beginner/big-head/adding-the-background.jpg)

## Add the body

This isn't a 3D modeling tutorial, so I'm not going into the details of creating the body; I assume you already have a 3D model ready. Import your model, add it to the face tracker, setup the materials, and then position and scale the model so it lines up with the head. You are good to go!

## Final notes

In general, the further away the user is from the camera, the less of the background gets picked up by the head mesh. Also important to note is that as the user turns their head you may get a little more of the background showing through. If you do have too much background showing thorugh, all you need to do is scale the mesh down a bit. You won't get perfect results because everyone's head is shaped differently and we all have different hair styles, but you can still get really good results. And if the filter is fun, that little bit of background won't be a big deal

## Further reading

- [Face Reference Assets](https://sparkar.facebook.com/ar-studio/learn/articles/people-tracking/face-reference-assets)


The "Big Head" effect is a pretty fun type of filter to create. It is pretty easy to make once you learn the trick of texture projection.

Beginner Spark AR

Background segmentation the easy way in Spark AR

How to add grain to your Instagram and Facebook filters

Make objects rotate around the head in Spark AR

Easily create freckles using Spark AR Studio

Create an old-fashioned reduced or stuttered framerate in Spark AR

Creating a Big Head effect in Spark AR