Introduction: 2 steps to add an AI Virtual Assitant to your Space
In Fectar Studio, creating a 3D avatar powered by AI allows you to add a sophisticated virtual assistant to your VR scene. This virtual assistant can interact with users in multiple languages, provide tailored responses, and even exhibit specific behaviors through customizable animations. The first step in setting up your AI-powered 3D avatar is to configure the avatar’s basic settings, such as selecting the avatar, providing background information, and choosing the preferred language, voice, and animation. This tutorial will guide you through the initial setup process using the "Setup Your Virtual Assistant" snippet.
Purpose of the Snippet
The "Setup Your Virtual Assistant" snippet is the foundational step in creating an AI-powered avatar within your XR scene. This snippet allows you to select your avatar, customize its personality and behavior, and define how it interacts with users. By completing this setup, you lay the groundwork for your virtual assistant to effectively communicate and engage with users in your VR environment.
Setting Up the Snippet
This is the Snippet Window with the various fields. We will go through these step by step.
1. Select the AI Avatar
The first step is to select the 3D avatar you want to turn into your AI-powered assistant. This field allows you to choose the specific 3D model in your scene that will serve as the AI avatar. This spot is where you’ll apply all the customizations and settings
2. Provide Background Information
Next, provide some background information to guide the AI’s responses. This information helps the AI to generate more contextually appropriate replies. Enter a description that outlines the role and behavior of the AI avatar. For example, you might specify that the AI is a customer service representative for a particular company, and provide instructions for what it should do if it cannot answer a question.
3. Select the Preferred Language
Choose the language in which the AI avatar will communicate. Choose from a list of available languages. The AI avatar will respond and speak in the language you select, making it accessible to a global audience. Currently supported languages: English (EN), Dutch (NL), Arabic (AR), Spanish (ES), French (FR), Portugese (PT), Hindi (HI), Simplified Chinese (ZH).
4. Select the Voice Type
Define the voice type for the AI avatar, choosing between Neutral, Female, and Male voices. Choose the voice type that best suits your avatar's role. The available options include Neutral, Female, and Male voices, with the Neutral option available in English and Dutch.
4. Select the Preferred Starting Pose
Choose the starting animation or pose for your AI avatar, which defines its initial behavior when the scene starts. Choose from a variety of animations that set the tone for your AI avatar’s initial appearance. Options range from Neutral and Relaxed poses to more specific ones like Confident or Playful posing, tailored to both male and female avatars.
Behind the Scenes: How It Works, click on 'Open in code Editor'
Once you've set up these configurations, Fectar Studio uses ChatGPT 3.8 to power the AI capabilities of your avatar. The following functions are triggered to apply the settings to your AI avatar:
- setVoice(): Converts the selected voice type into a format the system can use.
- setLanguage(): Translates your language selection into the appropriate language code.
- setAnimation(): Maps your chosen animation to the correct animation sequence.
These settings are then applied through the aiSettings() function, which configures the avatar’s language, voice, prompt context, and animation.
Conclusion
The "Setup Your Virtual Assistant" snippet is the essential first step in creating an interactive and responsive AI-powered avatar in Fectar Studio. By carefully selecting the avatar, providing background information, and choosing the appropriate language, voice, and animation, you ensure that your virtual assistant is tailored to meet your specific needs and engage effectively with users. Once this setup is complete, you can move on to selecting the next snippet to define how your AI avatar will interact with the environment and users.