Show HN: Generate a 3D model that looks like you and apply AR animation effects
Product:
Highavenue is a mobile app using which anyone can generate a 3D Character (within a minute or so) that looks very similar to them with just three photos as inputs. They can also apply different ready-made animations to the model and record some fun, attractive videos with it in Augmented Reality.<p>Here are some of the links for you to quickly check out the product:<p>Demo Video:  <a href="https:&#x2F;&#x2F;youtu.be&#x2F;dCEGx-thXD4" rel="nofollow">https:&#x2F;&#x2F;youtu.be&#x2F;dCEGx-thXD4</a><p>Android: <a href="https:&#x2F;&#x2F;play.google.com&#x2F;store&#x2F;apps&#x2F;details?id=com.highavenuear.android" rel="nofollow">https:&#x2F;&#x2F;play.google.com&#x2F;store&#x2F;apps&#x2F;details?id=com.highavenue...</a><p>iOS: <a href="https:&#x2F;&#x2F;apps.apple.com&#x2F;us&#x2F;app&#x2F;highavenue&#x2F;id1470937706?ls=1" rel="nofollow">https:&#x2F;&#x2F;apps.apple.com&#x2F;us&#x2F;app&#x2F;highavenue&#x2F;id1470937706?ls=1</a><p>Tech:<p>Built using Unity Game Engine, Blendshape &amp; other animation techniques, Segmentation algorithm etc.<p>Vision &amp; the problem:<p>Unlike other AR consumer platforms, our vision is to democratize the creation of 3D animated scenes. Anybody should be able to create a short 3D animation of length 15 to 30 seconds and even be a part of it. Usually, 3D animations need big tools to build, weeks to learn, and hours to create. Not just that, it involves various stages like modeling, rigging, texturing, and then animating it. With the above version of Highavenue released, we solved the modeling, rigging &amp; texturing part of the problem by automating the creation of 3D characters. And in the upcoming versions, with the technologies like body Tracking &amp; depth detection, anybody can just hop into a 3D scene, select a character that they want to play, and start acting. It&#x27;s as simple as that.<p>This opens a new realm of opportunities for creators and the way we tell our stories.<p>- Tiktok lowered the video creation barrier from YouTube<p>- Snapchat lowered the barrier for conversations<p>- Clubhouse did the same for audio.<p>We(Highavenue) will lower the barrier to create 3D animated scenes. With just your smartphone, you should be able to create 15 -30s animated scenes easily.<p>Our Story:<p>(Bootstrapped Startup)We are a team of four members — Pradeep Baskaran, Soorya Sankar(Developer), Terrance Abilan (3D Full-stack Animator), &amp; Renold J (3D Generalist - Full-time employee) hailing from small towns &amp; tier 2&#x2F;3 cities in Tamilnadu, India like Anupuram, Bhavani, Thoothukudi, Kanya Kumari respectively (you wouldnt heard about these places before). We are huge fans of anime, games, and other 3D-based content. And working on Highavenue seemed the best fit for us.<p>During Covid-19, we rented a small apartment outside of Anupuram Township, Tamilnadu, India, and converted the living space to Office — 4 desks, 2 systems, and a rented workstation. We juggle our work within the systems, and there were times when we couldn’t afford a Mac and we would borrow it from other startups for an hour to build and Ship iOS versions.<p>We bootstrapped our way here after providing services to clients in the US and India. Covid-19 almost made us out of business since almost every client we had and deals we were about to do were called off. And a lot happened:<p>- We saved up from our previous services work.<p>- We borrowed some to manage operations.<p>- We paid back all the debts.<p>- A few Investors we cold emailed said &quot;No&quot; to our AR consumer platform idea.<p>- We got the clients back. We saved up again.<p>- With the little amount we had in the bank — we decided that it was time. We concentrated purely building Highavenue.<p>We built this product within 10 weeks and shipped it out a few weeks back (later mid of Jan 2021). We are iterating the product rapidly, fixing bugs, building minor features, talking to users repeatedly. It&#x27;s the love for animations, cartoons, &amp; consumer platforms that drive us.<p>Any feedback&#x2F;suggestion would be very much appreciated - It will help us improve. Get in touch with us - email: pradeep@highavenue.co or admin@highavenue.co<p>thanks!
- Highavenue Team