How to Create a Filter in TikTok Effect House

In this comprehensive tutorial, you will learn how to create an interactive augmented reality filter using Effect House, TikTok's official platform for building filters. This guide follows five essential steps to help you design and publish your own effect.

1

Understanding the Effect House Interface

After downloading and launching Effect House, you will encounter the main workspace, which includes several key components:

• Hierarchy: This panel displays all objects in your scene in a hierarchical structure.
• Viewport: The central preview area where you build and visualize your effect in real-time.
• Inspector: This panel displays the properties and settings of the currently selected object.
• Assets Panel: Here you can import and manage textures, 3D models, and audio files.

Important Note: Familiarizing yourself with the interface is crucial before creating your first filter, as it will significantly improve your workflow efficiency.

2

Creating a New Project

To begin your filter creation process:

1. Open Effect House and click "New Project" from the main menu.
2. Select the appropriate template type (such as Face Effect or Head Tracker).
3. Provide a descriptive name for your project.
4. Click "Create" to begin the editing process.

Upon completion of these steps, you will have a blank canvas ready for augmented reality creation.

3

Implementing Face Tracking

To add Face Tracking functionality to your project:

1. Click on Add Object in the Hierarchy panel.
2. Select Face Tracker from the menu — this component automatically tracks the user's facial features.
3. Within the Face Tracker, you can add various elements such as 3D objects, masks, or face effects.

This feature enables the effect to follow facial movements, allowing for interactive elements like virtual glasses, makeup applications, or responsive animations.

4

Adding Three-Dimensional Objects

To incorporate a 3D element into your filter:

1. Download a 3D model in .fbx or .obj format from a reputable source.
2. Drag the model file into the Assets panel to import it.
3. Drag the imported model from the Assets panel into the Face Tracker in the Hierarchy.
4. Adjust the model's size, position, and rotation using the Transform tools in the Inspector.

Advanced users can also animate these objects or make them respond to specific user expressions (for example, appearing only when the user smiles).

5

Publishing to TikTok Platform

Once your filter is complete and tested:

1. Click the Submit button located in the top-right corner of the interface.
2. Upload a demonstration video and cover image (both are required for submission).
3. Enter the effect name, select appropriate category, and add relevant tags.
4. Review and agree to TikTok's terms of service, then click Submit.

TikTok will review your effect for compliance with their guidelines. Upon approval, your filter becomes available to millions of users worldwide.

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Final Recommendations

• Thoroughly test your filter using the preview emulator to ensure proper functionality across different devices.
• Keep file sizes optimized for mobile performance to ensure smooth user experience.
• Study current TikTok trends for creative inspiration and market relevance.

Happy creating!

This tutorial provides a comprehensive foundation for creating TikTok filters using Effect House.