Snapchat filters have become the most popular and most accessible form of augmented reality. Gaining even more traction are the aging filters designed to give users a glimpse of what they would look like in old age. Snapchat aging filters have become a fun way to play around with filters and drive social media engagements for content creators.
Snapchat has introduced several, including aging filters over the years—from Old to Old Age and Old Age Funny. However, Time Machine has become the most popular so far due to its aging and de-aging features, which allow you to make a progressive transition from toddler to older regardless of your present age.
This article offers a comprehensive breakdown of how aging filter on Snapchat work, their distinct features and third-party apps that can deliver similar effects.
In this article
Part 1: How Do Aging Filters on Snapchat Work?
Snapchat aging filters use computer vision and machine learning algorithms to make a user look significantly older (or younger). Here’s a detailed breakdown of how these filters work:
- Face Detection
Just like every other Snapchat filter, aging filters first locate the users’ faces within the camera frame using trained machine-learning models.
- Face Alignment
Once the user’s face is detected, the system maps out facial features by localizing key points on the face.
Keypoints, in computer vision, are distinct points used to identify, describe, or match facial features. They spot key parts of the face used as the base to later match and identify it in a new image. Your facial key points include your eyes, nose, and mouth.
These facial keypoints are generated using machine learning algorithms trained by humans to identify each key point on the face. The algorithms work by detecting changes in the light and shadows on the face.
- Mesh Creation
After facial alignment, a 3D depiction of the user’s face, including facial texture, positions of facial features, and the distances between them, is mapped out. This is called a mesh.
It is a digital imprint that adjusts to the contours and features of the user’s face, allowing filters to take the appropriate face shape and proportion. It also tracks facial movements and allows filters to adapt and distort to accommodate movements like blinking and smiling.
- Age Transformation
This is the crux of the Snapchat age filter. The machine learning models are trained on a large dataset of faces labeled with ages. As a result, age filters are able to apply age-related changes like saggy eyelids, fine lines, and wrinkles that mimic aged skin.
For aging filters like Time Machine that work in dual ways, age transformation has both aging and de-aging effects.
- The aging effect involves the addition of wrinkles and fine lines, sagging of skin, lightening of hair color,and fading of skin tone.
- The de-aging effect does the opposite: It smoothens out wrinkles, plumps up the cheeks, evens out skin tone,and removes greying hair.
Part 2: How to get Aging filters on Snapchat
Features and Limitations of Snapchat Age Filter
Key Features:
Designed for entertainment and social sharing, the following features of aging filters keep users glued.
- Snapchat age filters are simple to use and easily accessible.
- They function in real-time, allowing you to see the “older you”
- Age filters on Snapchatare free compared to most third-party tools.
- Like most other Snapchat filters, these aging filters are compatible with multiple devices, including iOS and Android.
- Snapchat aging filtersallow you to slide through different age ranges for a more gradual aging effect, depending on the filter and device type.
Limitations:
Despite the commendable features of aging filters on Snapchat, some of their limitations are not so preferable.
- The aging effect of these filters is pre-determined, so they are not personalized.
- These filters do not take into account a user's distinct facial features. For instance, it doesn’t consider features like moles, freckles, or dimples. The aging effect is generic, with no customization options such as a specific degree of aging or adjustment of details like hair color, etc.
- The quality of output is dependent on lighting and camera angling. Bad lighting or a slight shift in camera angling can produce unsatisfying results.
- Snapchat's aging filters overlook the diversity of the aging process, which may encouragestereotypes about how people age.
Part 3: A Better Alternative to Snapchat Age Filter
As fun and indulging as these popular Snapchat age filters are, some users find themselves dissatisfied with their limitations. Consequently, they opt for third-party tools like FaceHub that give the same effect and thrill.
FaceHub is an AI photo manipulation tool that leverages AI with functionalities that exceed basic filters. This tool does more than identify basic facial features; it analyzes facial structure, wrinkle patterns, fine lines, skin textures, and other less prominent and distinct facial features.
Why Choose FaceHub?
Now, here’s the magic!
- FaceHub predicts how your unique features might change as you age using an advanced AI model trained on a dataset of faces across various ages.
- It accommodates changes like the deepening of existing wrinkles or the formation of new ones, loss of skin elasticity, age spots, and saggy eyelids.
- As a result, realistic and precise images are generated based on your distinct facial features—a far cry from the generic, unrealistic results you get with Snapchat.
- FaceHub also offers other image manipulation features beyond just AI aging.
Part 4: FaceHub vs Snapchat Aging Filters
Here are the various ways FaceHub’s AI-powered aging tool shows superiority when compared to regular Snapchat filters.
Feature | FaceHub | Snapchat Aging Filter |
Technology | Artificial Intelligence (AI) | Face recognition |
Facial analysis | Detailed. Capturing subtle features like fine lines and skin texture | Basic. Capturing the user’s nose, eyes, mouth, and ears. |
Accuracy | Personalized aging patterns | Generic aging patterns |
Hair | Changes based on texture and ethnicity | Simple shifts toward grey or white |
Skin tone | Subtle shading based on projected sun damage | Generic dulling or paleness |
Output | Realistic & personalized results | Generic (& sometimes cartoonish) results |
Focus | Advanced image manipulation | Fun. Mostly, social media sharing |
Ease of use | Easy photo upload | Simple camera feature |
Cost | Subscription-based at $2.47 weekly, $9.99 monthly, $39.99 yearly, and $63.99 for the first two years | Free to use within the Snapchat app |
Bonus: Other Exciting Ways to Manipulate Your Photos with FaceHub
The functionalities of FaceHub go beyond its AI-powered aging filters. From creating magic with image and video templates to making custom photo alterations, there's an inexhaustible list of ways to fan your creativity with FaceHub.
AI Face Swap
Using any of the existing templates, you can easily switch faces with your favorite movie star, swap your gender, or play a prank on your friend group using FaceHub. This tool provides a hilarious way to engage your social media and YouTube audiences or spike interaction at a boring gathering.
AI Portrait
Are you a content creator, storyteller, or a professional LinkedIn baddie? This AI Portrait feature will come in handy. From creating professional portraits and yearbook-themed photos and playing around with the 30s and 80s style to embracing nature or bringing your dream wedding look to life—this tool takes photo manipulation to the next level.
AI Anime
If you're a lover of Ichigo and Kagura, or if you're just a die-hard anime fan, this feature was integrated just for you. From 2D and 3D to Retro and Pixar, this tool gives you the flexibility to choose an anime style that suits you.
AI Image & Video Generator
This tool leverages the Face Swap feature but offers more video template options. It allows you to swap faces in photos and videos, incorporating AI image and video generation to get unique results.
These different functionalities allow you to batch-edit and customize multiple photos and videos at once. They are simple and efficient and prioritize the protection of users’ uploaded data.
Conclusion
With the use of augmented reality technology, Snapchat aging filters offer a wonderful experience to users seeking to indulge their curiosity about the aging process. However, due to their limitations, users are adapting to third-party alternatives like FaceHub.
FaceHub is your go-to AI tool for image and video manipulation. Whether you're a professional photographer, game developer, or just fancy a little amusement, FaceHub supports your creativity and indulges your creative fantasies. Not to mention, its aging filter provides a realistic and personalized upgrade to the regular Snapchat age filters.
Would you love to get creative? Focus on picking the right photo for your custom manipulation, and let FaceHub handle the rest!