Meta’s Horizon Desktop Editor has introduced new capabilities, allowing for the AI creation of 3D models, textures, and skyboxes, on top of its previous functionalities in audio and TypeScript AI generation.
The Meta Horizon Desktop Editor is a Windows PC application designed for flat screens. It began its public early access phase in February, serving as a replacement for the previously criticized Horizon Worlds in-VR creation tools, which were often seen as too simplistic. This desktop application supports the import of 3D assets, images, and audio files, enabling users to construct a 3D environment and implement game logic with TypeScript, a well-known variant of JavaScript.
Alongside this launch, monetization features for in-world creators were rolled out to most regions where Horizon Worlds is accessible, allowing creators to earn income. They can offer permanent items for purchase or consumables like power-ups and coins.
Following the initial access launch, users in the U.S. could already generate sound effects and ambient sound through AI in the Horizon Desktop Editor and also create TypeScript for functional enhancements.
Most recently, Meta expanded its offerings to include the capability to generate 3D meshes, textures, and skyboxes using AI, which is now also accessible in the UK and Canada, in addition to the U.S.
Meta asserts that these new AI features can significantly cut down the creation time for virtual worlds, reducing it from weeks to mere hours.
To create a 3D model, you merely enter a descriptive prompt and wait an average of 3-6 minutes. You will receive four model options to choose from or can further refine your input. Once you select your preferred model, you can provide a description for the desired texture and generate it. This allows you to place your textured model in your 3D world as you wish.
For skybox generation, users can select from six distinct styles: skydome, photorealistic, digital painting, open world, anime, and comic, which influence your description.
Examples of various skybox styles.
AI generation is subject to rate limits due to processing on Meta’s servers, which includes the following caps:
- TypeScript: 1000 generations each day
- Audio: 200 generations each day
- 3D Meshes: 100 generations each day
- Skyboxes: 50 generations each day
To utilize the Meta Horizon Desktop Editor, download the Meta Quest Link PC app and install the Meta Horizon Desktop Editor within it. From your Library, click on the three dots next to Meta Horizon Desktop Editor and choose ‘Start in desktop mode’.
Meta continues to operate its $50 million Meta Horizon Creator Fund, aimed at rewarding creators who develop “entertaining and engaging” worlds. The following outlines how the funding will be allocated:
“Each month, we’ll pay out bonuses from the Creator Fund to the makers of fun and engaging mobile and MR worlds. Bonuses will be tied to worlds’ contributions to the overall ecosystem across time spent, retention, and in-world purchases, so there are a variety of different ways for creators to maximize their earnings.”– Meta