Today at GDC, Roblox unveiled two AI technologies aimed at optimizing 3D modeling for the platform's limitless legion of content creators. The tools aim to automatically prepare 3D models for animation and provide AI-powered texture generation. This either provides a way to relieve creative boredom or accelerate the expansion of the company's usable labor pool, depending on how charitable you want to look at it.
The first of the announced tools, Avatar Auto Setup, automatically handles the rigging of humanoid models, preparing the model for animation – in this case, for use as a Roblox avatar. “With just one click, Auto Setup automatically creates, cages, segments and skins 3D models,” Roblox said in a press release provided, claiming the technology shortens a process that can take days to just minutes. The second tool, Texture Generator, uses predictive image generation to create a texture for a 3D object based on text input.
“We are unveiling new technologies and ways to create, scale and monetize on the platform to support our vision of enabling the creation of anything, anywhere, by anyone,” Nick Tornow, vice president of Creator Engineering at Roblox, said in the statement provided Press release. The “by someone” there stands out considering Roblox was just indicted last month a class action lawsuit to build a platform based on the exploitation of child labor.
The included demo footage of Roblox Studio's new features shows a baby-faced mannequin being processed by Avatar Auto Setup for use as an avatar. Before demonstrating the automated upgrading of the model with a standard running animation, the model is slapped with a set of clothing thanks to its freshly generated Roblox cosmetic item attachment points. Luckily for our unnamed character, I'm not basing my impressions on style considerations, as she's been dressed up as a fantasy ranger with the world's worst haircut and headgear combination. But hey, the auto-rigging seems to work.
Likewise, Roblox showed off a series of 3D models with textures provided by the new prompt-based Texture Generator. A 3D mesh of a backpack is skinned with the prompt “Designer Backpack, Weathered Red Leather” and the texture produced actually looks like weathered red leather. Roblox also showed off an auto-textured treasure chest, an armchair, and a bear that cycles through a few textures: one armored, one icy, and another cybernetic. Roblox says in the press release that Texture Generator can be used to “prototype new looks,” reflecting the quality of the results. The textures are consistent with the prompts, but feel more like a “starting point” than a “finished product.”
Avatar Auto Setup and Texture Generator are available today Roblox Studio.
